Archive for “AZ Plant Lady” Tag

News & Events

Mesa: Heat-Proof Landscaping

April 7, 2025

Part of Mesa’s Xeriscape Done Right: A Water-Wise Landscaping Series. Join us for Part I of the free workshop series on Mesa’s Grass-to-Xeriscape Landscape Program. Meet our expert, AZ Plant Lady Noelle Johnson, as she discusses how to create a heat-proof landscape. Topics will include identifying the signs of heat stress in plants, practical solutions for reducing reflected heat around your …

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Mesa’s Grass-to-Xeriscape: Sustainable, Water-Smart Landscaping

January 6, 2025

Are you ready to replace your grass and water-thirsty plants with a Xeriscape? This approach creates a beautiful and practical landscape that reduces water usage, provides cooling shade, and is much easier to maintain. City of Mesa staff will present information about Mesa’s Grass-to-Xeriscape Landscape Program, which now offers up to $1,100 for qualifying conversions. Following this, our favorite AZ …

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Perfect for Gift Giving: Our Top Desert Gardening Books

December 13, 2024

Why we need books by local experts! One thing is certain when it comes to gardening books and magazines . . . gardening in the deserts of the Southwest is far different than in all other regions of the country. For that reason, most books, national magazines, and even those AP stories (that the local newspaper will occasionally publish) just …

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Gardening Books

PLANT OF THE MONTH: PINK TRUMPET VINE OR PODRANEA

November 1, 2024

The Pink Trumpet Vine, Podranea ricasoliana, exuberantly blooms in fall with flared, trumpet-shaped flowers. If looking for seasonal color, be sure to add this one to your plant palette. Note – be sure to properly identify at the nursery as it can commonly be mistaken for Bower Vine or Pandorea jasminoides. DESCRIPTION The lush green leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers of …

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Plant of the Month: Coral Fountain

April 2, 2024

When you ask most people what they want in their garden, their most common answer is, “color”. One of the best plants that I like to recommend for warm-season color is the coral fountain. Also known as the firecracker plant (Russelia equisetiformis). It has beautiful, cascading foliage that resembles the movement of water. Deep orange flowers begin to appear in …

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You are invited to SRP’s Water Conservation Expo!

February 6, 2024

  Saving Water is What This Expo is About Are you interested in learning about water conservation and saving money on water-efficient upgrades? Join us in person on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 8 a.m. – noon at PERA for the water-saving event of the year, the SRP Water Conservation Expo! Purchase a smart irrigation controller for $60 + tax …

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Plant of the Month: Vitex or Chaste Tree

June 5, 2023

Learn more about Vitex agnus-castus, Chaste Tree or Monk’s Pepper This small tree provides spring and summer color, and is great for pollinators! At-A-Glance Bloom Period: Summer Mature Height x Spread: 25 x 25 ft (8 x 8 m) Exposure: Full sun Cold Tolerance: -10°F (-23°C) Origin: Southern Europe   Description This is a large, deciduous shrub commonly grown as …

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Two BIG Water Conservation & Landscaping EXPOS!

February 17, 2023

Get amazing landscape ideas, meet experts, get discounts, and more at these two events coming up in early March! 16th Annual SRP Water Conservation Expo  Salt River Project (SRP) invites Valley customers to learn about water conservation and water supplies at the 16th Annual SRP Water Conservation Expo on March 4, 2023, from 8 a.m.–12 p.m.  Attendees will have the opportunity …

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Can You Over-Water Your Plants in the Desert? We Asked a Local Plant Expert!

April 9, 2019

As most would expect, water is considered a precious resource in the desert. But, did you know that there are more plant problems caused due to over-watering then under-watering? Believe it or not, it is true. Most people are surprised to hear that up to 70 percent of residential water usage goes to watering trees and plants in your landscape. …

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: CACTUS FLOWERS COLOR THE DESERT LANDSCAPE

April 11, 2017

I love springtime in the desert when it comes alive in shades of yellow, orange and pink. Last week, while I was driving through a residential area nestled in the desert mountains, I could hardly keep my eyes on the road. Everywhere I turned, there were brightly colored cactus blooming.  It’s a small miracle that I didn’t crash into the …

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