Globe mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) brings a unique “cottage-garden” feel to the desert plant palette along with some surprises. In spring a flush of beautiful flowers are produced that will cause people to stop in their tracks. After that, globe mallow will bloom off and on throughout the summer and fall. This shrubby, perennial is native […]
Young saguaro cactus were peeking out from its bursage nurse plant. As you walk through the desert, there are many opportunities to view some of the striking cacti and their unique shapes. What is not initially apparent, are the many examples of plants helping young cacti survive. However, if you look closely, it is all […]
Exploring the Beauty of Prickly Cactus Do you like prickly cactus? I have a few favorites, one being the Santa-Rita Prickly Pear (Opuntia violaceae var. santa rita). The color contrast of their blue-grey pads and the shades of purple are so striking in the landscape. The Santa-Rita Prickly Pear: A Stunning Accent Plant The Santa-Rita […]
There are some signs that summer is beginning to fade and that fall is around the corner. The stress that the high temperatures of summer bring has caused many plants to slow down their growth. However, the slightly lower temperatures in September bring on a flush of new growth for many trees, shrubs, and succulents […]
Iconic tree, Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida) When people think of the Sonoran desert, hillsides studded with saguaro cactus and cholla often come to mind. But interspersed between the cactus, you will find the palo verde, an iconic tree with their beautiful green trunks and branches. An Iconic Desert Tree; The Palo Verde The […]
In the Desert Southwest, we are fortunate to be able to grow citrus. In early fall, your citrus tree probably looks like the one pictured, with green fruit that is getting ready to ripen in this winter. It is time for the third fertilizer application to your citrus trees if you have not already done […]
The blooming of my desert willow tree (Chilopsis linearis), is beginning to slow down. The leaves will fall in December. However, there were a few lovely pink flowers left. Also, the recent monsoon storms have caused my ‘Rio Bravo’ sage, (Leucophyllum langmaniae), to burst out in flower. Beautiful, magenta brachts surrounding the tiny, cream-colored flowers on […]
Fall Rose, ‘Double Delight’ In the Desert Southwest, we are blessed with two different blooming seasons – spring and again in fall. While two bloom seasons is generally one more than many regions experience, roses don’t enjoy the heat of summer and go into summer dormancy. That means that they just exist and don’t grow […]
This beautiful plant is one of my favorite shrubs in the garden – so much so, that I have three. Yellow bells produce bell-shaped flowers beginning in spring and lasting through the fall months until the first frost. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to the flowers. The vibrant green foliage and colorful flowers make this […]
Exploring the Growth of Saguaro Cactus Arms In the realm of desert flora, the saguaro cactus stands as an iconic symbol of the American Southwest. The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is a towering, tree-like cactus native to the Sonoran Desert, spanning the regions of Arizona and Mexico. It claims the title of the tallest cactus […]
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