Description of San Marcos Hibiscus, Gossypium harknessii: This rounded shrub blooms from October to May in mild-winter areas, but where it freezes back, flowering can be expected from June to October. Each 2-inch-wide flower has five yellow petals with a maroon spot at the base. The fruit is a rounded capsule, about ½ inch long. The heart-shaped leaves are entire (meaning …
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This spring, learn how beautiful water conservation can be. Spring is in the air; in the sweetness of the citrus buds, in the warmth against your skin, in the vibrant colors of blooming shrubs. Time to put your garden gloves and shovel to work and get your landscaping on par with the rest of Mother Nature. Water – Plant It Wisely …
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Penstemon’s Are a Top Desert Perennial With many beautiful varieties of penstemon, it is hard to recommend just a few. These perennials are spectacular in bloom, with their trumpet shaped flowers ranging in color from orange to red, to purple, to white, and everything in between. Hummingbirds cannot resist their flowers. Penstemons are wonderful accent plants, and make great additions …
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As we all know, our desert cities are magnets for winter visitors, who are seduced by our balmy weather, manicured fairways, and bountiful recreational opportunities. Not surprisingly, they also expect their winter paradise to be landscaped with loads of COLOR! This is always a challenge for landscape professionals because although our cold temperatures are mild compared to those across most of the country, they are low enough to prevent most ornamentals …
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Happy 2023! We’ve rounded up our very best blogs of 2022 to help you start the year with a water-saving splash. #1 Xeriscape Gardens – Great Outdoor Escapes Your local xeriscape garden not only serves as a helpful resource on water-wise landscaping but also offers a beautiful place to spend quality time in nature! We’ve pulled together a list …
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Local Xeriscape Gardens. Great holiday getaways for landscaping ideas. You’ve heard about the benefits of forest bathing? Well, in the desert we have xeriscape bathing. Arizona’s many xeriscape demonstration gardens are perfect outdoor getaways during the holiday season. They provide calming places to relax, to enjoy light exercise, and to pick up pointers on how to incorporate xeriscaping ideas into your …
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The fall planting season is here! Temperatures are cooling down, making it a perfect time to replace your plants you may have lost during the hot summer, or replace your high-water-usage plants with water-thrifty ones. Find our favorite Water – Use It Wisely resources below: Water – Plant It Wisely: Our Ultimate Fall Planting Resource Put your gardening gloves and …
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Lovely, white blossoms of not one, but two different types of cordia, add welcome beauty to the arid landscape throughout the warm season, including summer. Cordias are large shrubs that are underused in the garden and deserve more attention due to their ability to thrive in full sun and shrug off the summer heat. Their evergreen foliage looks great all …
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Arizona water has been making headline news lately. You’ve seen the headlines and the images of lakes (reservoirs) that appear to be draining before our very eyes. The growing urgency to preserve the precious water we have challenges us to think harder about the water we use. Fortunately, our state is having a relatively active monsoon season this summer. However, …
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Creosote Bush, Larrea tridentata is the perfect plant for us to feature during these hot summer months. It’s one of the toughest plants you’ll find, and with a little extra water, they are green and attractive in the landscape! Description – What does the Creosote Bush look like? Whenever it rains in the desert, Creosote Bush lends a distinctive fragrance …
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Texas sages are among the most reliable and fool-proof of the low water use plants available in Arizona. In the past twenty years, many new species and varieties have been brought into cultivation. These evergreen shrubs are native to Texas and Mexico, and perform well in our desert with very little maintenance. These shrubs require full sun and good drainage. …
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Help protect biodiversity! There are over 7 million humans in Arizona, and we all rely on insects and plants to survive. Native plants support native wildlife. Using native plants in your yard and landscapes is the best way to support healthy ecosystems and protect biodiversity. An easy place to start with planting natives is a pollinator garden. No matter where …
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