Archive for “desert plants” Tag

Arbor Day is Friday, April 26!

April 18, 2024

Friday, April 26th is Arbor Day, a special day set aside to encourage the planting and proper care of trees.  It has been 152 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day. His simple idea of setting aside a special day for tree planting is now more important than ever. The 1st official Arbor Day was created by Morton and …

Read More

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 …

Read More

Plant of the Month: Shades of Green

March 8, 2024

Shamrocks Aren’t the Only Green Plant to Celebrate in March I hear that wearing green will make you invisible to leprechauns so you can avoid being pinched. Some say it will bring you good luck. Even beyond March and St. Patrick’s Day, green is often used for interior decorating for its calming effect? You’ve likely heard about television guests waiting …

Read More
blue euphorbia

Desert Landscape Design Ideas Now Available from Phoenix

February 21, 2024

Your journey to creating or maintaining a water-wise landscape is now even easier thanks to the resources provided by the city of Phoenix Water Services Department. Phoenix Water recently collaborated with design experts from Arizona State University to produce free, easy-to-use desert landscape, or xeriscape, design guides that anyone can download. The Desert Landscapes in Your Front Yard guides were …

Read More

Plant of the Month – Brittlebush

January 24, 2024

This month, our plant of the month blog features another plant description from a newly revised book, Cool Plants for Hot Gardens by Greg Starr! In his book, Greg features 150 water-smart choices for the Southwest – it’s no wonder why we like the book so much here at Water – Use It Wisely! He includes a fun category of the “Etymology” …

Read More

Chandler – Native Plant Identification

January 17, 2024

Are you interested in plants native to the Arizona desert? This workshop will teach you the importance of native plants, how to identify them, and which plants to select if you want to attract pollinators or wildlife! Furthermore, learn the dangers of invasive species and why it’s better to choose native. Register here!

Read More

Five Favorite Blogs of 2023

As we wade into the promising ventures of 2024, it’s time to reflect on the wisdom shared in the past year. In this blog post, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on our five favorite blogs of 2023 that made a significant splash. So, let’s jump right in and explore the top picks that set the tone for water-saving last …

Read More

Goodyear – Desert Blooms for All Seasons

January 9, 2024

Discover the variety of water efficient plants that provide color to your yard year-round. Register here

Read More

Avondale – Selecting Native Plants for Multiple Benefits

Discover beautiful Sonoran Desert plants that can serve many purposes in your yard. Register here

Read More

Plant of the Month: How Do Those Desert Plants Survive?

August 7, 2023

HOW PLANTS COPE WITH THE DESERT CLIMATE Desert plants tend to look very different from plants native to other regions. They are often swollen, spiny, and have tiny leaves that are rarely bright green. Their strange appearance is a result of their remarkable adaptations to the challenges of the desert climate. Aridity is the sole factor that defines a desert …

Read More

Prepare for Monsoon Season with These 5 Landscape Tips

June 12, 2023

Here in Arizona, the monsoon season officially runs from June 15 to September 30,  but summer storms often don’t move in until July. When it does hit, it’s time to lower the shade umbrellas and batten down the hatches. Powerful storms can roll in bringing downpours, wind, hail, dust, microbursts, haboobs … you get the idea. While we love them–but …

Read More

Plant of the Month: San Marcos Hibiscus

May 21, 2023

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 …

Read More