Chihuahuan-Sage, Leucophyllum laevigatum is a low-maintenance evergreen shrub with a spiky, but loose form. The periodic masses of lavender flowers are not only fragrant but will attract hummingbirds, too. Description Medium green leaves are somewhat sparsely arranged, yet they cling tightly along the erect to spreading branches of Chihuahuan-sage. Individual leaves measure ½ inch long and ¼ inch wide at …
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Featured Plant of the Month – Palo Blanco When searching for plants that work well in an arid climate, it can sometimes be hard to find a hardy plant that has the right “feel.” Our desert plants can be full of stout, sharp edges and lines, and some designers or landscapers have a hard time finding ways to soften the …
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$$ Grass Removals = Big Water Savings $$ In the desert Southwest, grass is one of the thirstiest landscape choices you can make. That’s why more Mesa residents, businesses, and HOAs are choosing to replace turfgrass with water-smart desert landscapes – and the results are adding up in a big way. In 2025 alone, Mesa’s grass-to-xeriscape incentive programs helped remove …
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Gardening in Arizona continues to evolve as homeowners work with the desert climate rather than against it. According to SummerWinds Nursery’s 2026 Arizona Garden Trends guide, gardeners across the Valley are focusing on: Water-wise planting Heat-smart landscape design Patio-centered outdoor living, and Plant choices that support pollinators and long-term sustainability. Designs are shifting toward cleaner, desert-modern landscapes that use plants …
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This spring, learn how beautiful water conservation can be. Spring shows up in all the little ways; brighter mornings, blooming shrubs, and that unmistakable urge to finally tackle the yard. Before you know it, the gloves are on, the shovel’s out, and your landscape is ready for a seasonal glow-up. Water – Plant It Wisely is your handy resource to …
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It’s the Water-Saving Event of the Year! Join us in-person on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 8 a.m. – noon at PERA Training and Conference Center in Tempe for the water-saving event of the year! The annual SRP Water Conservation Expo brings together our community to raise awareness of water in the Valley and discover ways to conserve at home. …
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Euphorbia tirucallii ‘Sticks on Fire’ FIRESTICKS, RED PENCIL TREE Bloom Period: None of note Mature Height x Spread: 4-8 x 3-5 ft (1.2-2.4 m x .91-1.5 m) Exposure: Full sun Cold tolerance: 30° F (-1° C) Origin: Africa This colorful succulent has vibrant orange-red colored stems that are green at the base. In addition to its color, its thin stems …
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Stop wasting time/money by over-pruning your shrubs! Have you ever driven by a landscape with shrubs that have been pruned or sheared into rounded shapes? You may be surprised to find out that maintaining shrubs this way is often not only unnecessary but uses more water than shrubs pruned infrequently. What are some ill effects of excessive …
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Plant once, enjoy for years! This desert-hardy bulb thrives in Xeriscapes! It may seem rather strange to think of landscapes decorated with lilies in fall, but summer and fall rain bring on the lovely blooms of rain lilies (Zephyranthes species). Rain or ‘zephyr’ lilies add beauty to gardens throughout the Southern half of the U.S., including the Southwest. While their …
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Seeds of Spring are Sown in the Fall We’ve never given away a Plant of the Month before—but this time we’re kicking things up a notch with a free wildflower seed packet! Sign up for our monthly newsletter and we’ll mail you seeds to start your own spring bloom. But here’s the catch: you need to plant them NOW. Why …
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To Overseed or NOT to Overseed… Most Americans love lush, green lawns, and have shown that they are willing to do whatever it takes to have them. Nowhere is this act of defiance against nature and common sense more obvious than in the Arizona desert, especially in the fall when the ritual of winter grass activities begins! You’ll hear the …
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The Fall Planting Season is Here! The fall planting season has arrived (really!), and cooler temps make it the perfect time to get your landscape back in shape. Maybe you lost a few plants during the record-hot summer, or maybe you’re ready to swap out high-water-use plants for water-thrifty ones. Either way, fall is the season to dig in! Water …
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