Saguaro Lake was created on the Salt River by the completion of the Stewart Mountain Dam in 1930. The dam, managed by the Salt River Project, is 212 feet high and 583 feet long, and has a 13,000-kilowatt hydroelectric generator. It was the last dam to be built on the Salt River. Named for the majestic Saguaro Cactus and situated about …
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The name calliandra refers to the beautiful stamens which make the tufted or ball-like flowers on these loosely branched shrubs. Their colors, ranging from pale pink through deep red, are indeed beautiful. These small to medium sized shrubs produce their flowers against a backdrop of finely divided, lacy-looking foliage. Calliandras can be used in a wide variety of landscape situations. Fairy dusters …
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The award-winning Xeriscape Demonstration Garden at the Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown Street, began in June of 1990. Since that time, the garden has grown to nearly four acres in size with more than 400 species of plants. But, did you know that the garden is also certified as a Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation for providing …
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Xeriscape (zer-i-scape) is a type of landscaping which uses water-wise plants and can even include small water features, patios, walkways, limited turf areas and effective mulches combined into an eye-appealing environment. Xeriscape should not look like a sea of gravel or barren rocks and cactus. Xeric gardens can be full of beautiful green plants that are water-efficient and able to …
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You know by now that up to 70% of your water use is outdoors. Strict water conditions are tough on everyone, especially our lawns. Although we do our best to be responsible and conservation-minded when it comes to lawn care, there are some measures you may not know about to keep your lawn healthy when water shortages hit. Raise the mower blades. Raise …
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Agaves are impressive leaf succulents with a wide range of color, texture and size to their rosettes. There are approximately 200 species found throughout the southwest, Mexico, and Central America. The bold rosettes are dramatic accents for the garden that contrast well with the fine texture of desert trees and shrubs. Agaves are some of the most useful desert plants, …
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Desert willow is a fast-growing tree reaching up to 30 feet with spectacular trumpet-shaped flowers and bright green, willow-like foliage. Chilopsis linearis is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, and is commonly seen in dry washes from 1,500 to 5,000 feet. The fragrant orchid-like flowers, in varying colors, attract hummingbirds. Desert willow blooms in clusters from May …
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A. Woods shared this photo where snow melt from the mountains creates a slippery slope of water fun! If you’re looking for a great place to cool off, have fun, and learn about some fascinating Arizona history, you need to plan a summer trip to Slide Rock State Park! Slide Rock is just a small segment of the beautiful Oak …
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Living in the desert, water conservation is always a hot topic. At home we can take steps to reduce our use by taking shorter showers, collecting rain water for our gardens or any one of 100+ Ways to Conserve. But how can we have a greater impact on reducing the amount of ground water we use? Well – it starts …
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Blustery winds, torrential downpour, and high humidity. Welcome to the desert southwest! All right, perhaps that is an exaggeration. Those are conditions present only for a few summer weeks in the desert southwest. During this time, the Greater Phoenix area can receive half of its annual rainfall in just a few short weeks. While drenching our plants and washing the …
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Etched on the wall at the entrance of the City of Scottsdale’s Xeriscape Garden is this: “Demonstrating the Beauty of Saving Water.” That is a lovely explanation of why some cities plant and nurture free public demonstration gardens. These gardens are thriving examples of how homeowners, businesses, and HOAs can create lush and colorful gardens and landscapes using very little …
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Prosopis, commonly known as mesquites, are extremely adaptable and tolerant to a wide range of growing conditions. They adjust to little or abundant water and will survive during times of drought by slowing down their growth. Mesquites have supplied shade, food, and medicine for people of the desert for ages. Because every part of the tree is useful, it is …
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