Do you use any lotion that contains aloe vera? While most of us think of the medicinal qualities of aloe vera – particularly how they provide relief from burns, its beauty, and drought tolerance make it well worth adding to our “Drought Tolerant And Beautiful” category. Aloe vera(Aloe barbadensis) thrives in drought-tolerant gardens and produces […]
Where do your plants get their water from? If you are like most people who live in the desert Southwest, your answer may be drip irrigation, a rain barrel and/or rainfall. But, what if you didn’t have drip irrigation or don’t want to install one? Is it possible to have an attractive, established […]
Where did you learn about gardening? I have shared about learning to garden as a young child when my dad gave me my own little plot of land and let me plant whatever I wanted. Later, I learned more about gardening in school. It was an elective gardening class and it was one of my […]
Have you ever had your day take a completely different turn than you anticipated? Mine certainly did, and it all started with a discovery behind the lilac vine. My day was off to a great start. I didn’t have any appointments or looming writing deadlines. Couple that with a weather forecast in the 70’s, I decided […]
What do you have growing in your vegetable garden? I have three separate gardens where I grow vegetables, but they aren’t the only thing that is growing in the rich, moist soil. Red Poppies There are also red poppies present alongside the Swiss chard and leaf lettuce. It all started 4 years ago with a […]
Do you like butterflies? It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t. The sight of a butterfly makes us pause whatever we were doing and take a few moments to observe their fragile beauty. Kids are even more entranced by butterflies. Every year, I take my kids to visit the Desert Botanical Garden’s butterfly exhibit where […]
Have you ever found yourself driving through a neighborhood past landscapes planted with the commonly planted lantana and oleander shrubs when you see something completely different that catches your attention? A few weeks ago, I was leaving a client’s home in North Phoenix and started on my way home, when I drove past this beautiful, […]
Does the idea of attracting hummingbirds to your outdoor space appeal to you? It’s hard to find anyone who wouldn’t welcome these colorful visitors. The best way to attract hummingbirds is to have a garden filled with their favorite nectar plants, but what if you don’t have a garden space or any room for additional plants? What […]
Do you visit your local botanical garden? I try to make it to my local garden at least 2 – 3 times a year, which just happens to be the world-renown, Desert Botanical Garden. Last week, I visited twice – once for their spring plant sale and again with my kids. Spring break is a […]
I have a love affair with trees. It’s true. I love their beautiful branch architecture, foliage and the dappled shade that they provide. Living in the desert Southwest, shade is a valuable commodity with the relief it offers from the intense sun and cool temperatures it offers. For all these reasons and more, I can’t […]
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