A chilly winter’s morning dawns over this Phoenix garden
Embracing the Beauty of Winter in the Desert Landscape
A Tranquil Video Shoot at an Oasis in the Desert
Video shoot in the desert? YES! Winter is a beautiful time of year in the desert landscape with bright blue skies, fresh cool air, and the plants in the garden add subtle beauty. It’s a great time to film
A seating area beckons you to sit and enjoy the peace and beauty of the garden
Lights, Camera, Action: A Video Shoot Day with Plant Pop
This particular garden was the backdrop for a video shoot by the horticultural filmmaker, Plant Pop this past December. They asked me to be the subject of their first video shoot in Arizona, and I was thrilled to do so.
A variety of succulents add beauty to this large galvanized steel horse trough container
Shooting the film in my desert garden wasn’t possible as my backyard is undergoing renovation. So, I asked one of my clients if we could shoot film in her landscape instead. Thankfully, she said yes!
Hop Bush (Dodonaea viscosa) shrubs
Behind the Scenes of a Desert Paradise
We met at her house early in the morning with the filmmaker who set up the cameras and microphones. Our host is one of the most gracious people I know and kept us warm with the outdoor fireplace and feeding us donuts 🙂
Being interviewed – I love talking about desert gardening!
Lights, Camera, Desert!
We spent about 3 hours there with me talking about the unique challenges and possibilities of gardening in a hot, dry climate. During the filming, I walked around the garden, highlighting different areas throughout the garden. This garden has many ‘rooms’ and corners that display the beauty of winter in the desert.
The video has come out, and I’m so happy at how well the folks at Plant Pop condensed our visit into a 4-minute video so nicely. I hope you enjoy it and come away inspired by what you can do in your own desert garden!
One of the many blessings of living in the desert is that you can garden all year. That means that you can have beautiful color all year, even in the desert winter (above).
Embracing Winter Color in Desert Landscaping
Drive down the street during the summer, and you will see flowering plants in the common areas and gracing the front yards of everywhere you look. Texas Sage, Bougainvillea, Lantana, and Tecoma species dot the landscape as shown in the photo above.
Why, then, do people not include plants that will provide color in the winter? You can take the same drive as you did in the summer and see nothing but green blobs and nothing else (below). The landscape below is an unfortunate victim of ‘poodle’ pruning. We are so fortunate to live in an area with relatively mild winters, so why not take advantage of that fact in your garden?
I mean, who thinks that this looks nice? Countless times, when I am meeting with clients, they ask, “My landscape is so boring. What can I do to make it look better?” The majority of the time, I hear this from winter residents. Their landscape is a riot of color in the summer when they are gone. But, in the winter when they are there, they have green blobs and little else.
Adding Winter Color to Your Landscape
The landscape (above) has potential. The solution to a somewhat dull landscape is easy. Add plants that bloom in the cool-season to the landscape.
When I create a landscape design for a brand new landscape, I make sure to include a variety of plants that flower at a different time of the year. This ensures year-round color. If you have an established landscape, add a few winter-flowering plants. That is all it takes.
Top List of Plants for Stunning Winter Color
For beautiful winter color, I recommend trying the following:
Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) – Late Winter and Fall Blooms
Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) Flowers late winter to spring and again in fall
Valentine Bush (Eremophila maculata ‘Valentine’) – Winter to Mid-Spring Blooms
Valentine Bush (Eremophila maculata ‘Valentine’) Flowers winter into mid-spring
Angelita Daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis) syn. Hymenoxys acaulis Blooms off and on throughout the year
Add Winter Color to Any Climate
As you can tell, there are countless plants that you can use for winter color. If you are only a winter-resident, you may choose to primarily have plants that flower in winter. As for me, I love lots of color year-round. My favorites are Purple Lilac Vine, Firecracker Penstemon, Valentine, and Angelita Daisy.
Whether you live in the Tropics or Canada, this same principle is true for any climate you live in – make sure your garden provides color for you when you are there.
What are your favorite winter-bloomers?
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Step back in time in a busy city. Completely surrounded by small adobe homes and extensive historic gardens – all in modern-day Phoenix.
A Glimpse into Phoenix Homesteads District
Phoenix’s Only Adobe Neighborhood
The Phoenix Homesteads District dates back to the 1930s and is the only adobe neighborhood in Phoenix. Mature pine trees line the streets. They are interspersed with Mexican fan palms. This creates a green tunnel that beckons you to explore further.
Small Adobe Homes and Bountiful Gardens
Within this district, you’ll find small adobe homes nestled on spacious lots, adorned with towering trees and lush shrubs. These homes, constructed in the ’30s and ’40s, are designed to facilitate food cultivation and small-scale livestock ownership.
An Artistic Garden Gem
The purpose of my journey to this historic neighborhood was to visit a local artist and her picturesque gardens.
This historic garden jewel is located on ‘Flower Street.’
A Meeting with Suzanne Bracker
I came to visit this special place at the recommendation of a client. She told me about a resident artist, Suzanne Bracker. She has a beautiful garden but creates wonderful pieces of art.
The Garden’s Creative Touches
Suzanne met me by the curb in front of her home to lead me on a journey of inspiration and discovery.
The Garden’s Creative Touches
Repurposing Art in the Garden
Just a few steps into the garden, it’s apparent that Suzanne loves to repurpose items in her garden. The curved pathway and historic garden jewel is located on ‘Flower Street.’ The garden entrance is edged with broken concrete, often referred to as ‘urbanite’.
The property consists of two 1/4 acre lots. The adobe structure that used to serve as a garage/shed, straddles the original property line.
Queen’s wreath vine(Antigonon leptopus) and lantana grow on large river rocks within wire (gabion walls). The bright blooms of bougainvillea provide a welcome pop of color.
An old, gnarled tree root sits among vines. The tree adds color and texture contrast.
A Peruvian apple cactus (Cereus peruviana) grows through a giant bush lantana(Lantana camara). The lantana is in the shape of a small tree.
After only 5 minutes in this artist’s garden, I could tell that I was on a journey of the unexpected and could hardly wait to discover more.
The garage/shed is now an artist’s studio where pieces of Suzanne’s work are on display.
The original adobe wall is inside the studio. Adobe walls (made from mud and straw) keep buildings cool in summer.
You can see the bits of straw mixed in with the adobe. You can also see a small note in a crevice. It is awaiting discovery.
Unveiling Outdoor Art Galleries
From Mosaics to Jewelry – A Garden of Artistry
Evidence of Suzanne’s interest in a variety of artistic mediums is immediately apparent.
From mosaics…
To paper…
Clay…
And jewelry. Her talent is evident in almost everything she touches.
As we ventured back outdoors, Suzanne revealed a particular spot she affectionately calls her “graveyard”.
A Unique Garden ‘Graveyard’
Repurposing Clay Artifacts with Creativity
Underneath the shade of a large carob tree, the ‘graveyard’ is an area where the broken clay heads from Suzanne’s clay art find a place to rest.
This is a novel way to repurpose items.
Weights from old windows in the house now hang from metal trellises alongside snail vine.
Small crystals from old chandeliers now decorate the trellis and cast small rainbows wherever they catch the sun’s rays.
Peach-faced parrots, who live in the wild, stop by the bird feeder under the carob tree.
Sprays of delicate purple flowers from a large skyflower(Duranta erecta) shrub, arch over the garden path.
Along flagstone pathways, a flash of blue and green color catches my eye. Where most of us would throw out a few leftover glass beads, she uses them for a touch of whimsy.
As I enter her home, the original kitchen catches my eye – there’s no granite countertops or stainless steel appliances here.
This 1930’s kitchen is functional and very cute.
A Treasure Amidst the City
Plants provide color. The buildings are painted in vibrant shades of blue and purple as well.
Old oil cans, a kettle, and creamers find new life as garden art.
As I walk through the garden, we come upon a shady oasis, underneath the massive canopy of an old Lady Bank’s rose – this is the same type of rose as the famous Tombstone Rose.
A colorful rooster and his chickens enjoy the shade from the rose.
Gold lantana grows among round step stones.
One of the many enjoyable aspects of this garden are the garden rooms.
Among the garden paths, there’s always something to discover like these old, antique, toy cars. Suzanne put them on top of an old tree stump.
At the end of our garden journey, we pass by a jujube(Ziziphus jujube) tree, which tastes a little like apple.
Legacy of Flood Irrigation
Concrete Pipes as Garden Artifacts
The second house on the property has a lovely Rose of Sharon tree in front along with some interesting garden art.
The concrete pipes adorning the front of this home harken back to its historical roots. They were crafted from aged irrigation pipes originally used for flood irrigation. A practice that remains prevalent in certain older neighborhoods of Phoenix. These concrete pipes serve as enduring relics.
Today, they stand as a testament to the enduring traditions of this region. Their presence lends a unique historical charm to the property.
This garden still uses flood irrigation from the 1930s.
The blossoms of a small, Rose of Sharon(Hibiscus syriacus) add whimsical beauty with its flowers that change color as they age.
Suzanne’s Garden: A Historical Gem
An Artistic Oasis Preserving History
Gardens that surprise and inspire us are a real treasure.
Suzanne’s garden is a historic jewel. I am grateful for the opportunity to have met her and observe how her artistic talent extends to everything she touches.
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One of the delightful aspects of life in the Southwest is the vibrant outdoor spaces, especially during the winter season.
A Break from Landscape Critiques
For those who have been following my blog, you know I often share photos of landscape issues I encounter. But this time, the captivating winter beauty had me so enthralled that I didn’t notice any garden mistakes.
Captivating Winter Wonders
Join me in savoring the beauty of winter in the desert and perhaps find inspiration for your own landscape!
The Stars of the Winter Desert Garden
Valentine Bush (Eremophila maculata ‘Valentine’)
Hands down, my favorite shrub, the vibrant red Valentine Bush adds a burst of color from January through April. Even when not in bloom, its foliage remains attractive.
Golden Barrel Cacti (Echinocactus grusonii)
These sunny yellow cacti are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and add a cheerful touch to the garden year-round.
Large Desert Spoon (Dasylirion wheeleri)
With its spiky texture and gray-blue hue, the large desert spoon creates a captivating contrast in the landscape.
This is a great pairing of plants that I plan on using in future designs.
Feathery Cassia (Senna artemisioides)
Bright yellow fragrant flowers of feathery cassia(Senna artemisioides) are famous for their winter color. Nothing else brightens a dreary winter’s day as much as the color yellow. The silvery foliage of this cassia adds great color contrast and give off a silvery glow on a breezy day.
Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
In the background, you see the pink blooms of pink fairy duster(Calliandra eriophylla). Their uniquely shaped blooms look like a feather duster and hummingbirds find them irresistible.
Bursage (Ambrosia deltoidea)
This native groundcover provides color contrast and thrives with minimal water.
This combination was well done but planted too closely together.
Blue Bells (Eremophila hygrophana)
Against the backdrop of yellow-flowering feathery cassia, a pair of boulders are decorated with blue bells (Eremophila hygrophana). These shrubs have lovely gray foliage and produce purple/blue flowers all year long. This is a newer plant introduction getting a lot of attention.
A golden barrel cactus offers great contrast along with a pair of agave.
Here is one of my favorite landscapes in this particular community. I like the combination of cacti, flowering shrubs, and perennials that create a pleasing landscape.
Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatoni)
A trio of flowering firecracker penstemon(Penstemon eatoni) easily catches your eye. They are one of my favorite perennials in my own garden and flower January through April in the low desert.
In another landscape, firecracker penstemon is used as part of a wildflower planting, backed by desert spoon and purple trailing lantana.
Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Ornamental grasses add great interest to the winter landscape and pink muhly(Muhlenbergia capillaris) is one of my favorites. Their burgundy plumes, which appear in fall fade to an attractive wheat color in winter. Soon, they will be pruned back to 3 inches in preparation for a new growth cycle.
Blue Palo Verde Tree (Parkinsonia florida)
Some landscapes look attractive using a minimum amount of plants. The key is to use a variety of different plants – not just shrubs or cacti. In this one, a blue palo verde(Parkinsonia florida) overlooks a planting of purple trailing lantana(Lantana montevidensis) and desert spoon. While the lantana is frost tender, the canopy of the tree provides it some protection from frost.
‘New Gold’ Lantana (Lantana ‘New Gold’)
It’s important to anchor the corners in your landscape – particularly those next to the driveway. Here is an example of how to combine plants that look great throughout the year. When warmer temps arrive ‘New Gold’ lantana(Lantana ‘New Gold’), bursts forth with colorful blooms that last until the first frost. In winter, golden barrel cacti attract the attention and keep you from noticing the frost damaged lantana.
This street planting also attracted my attention with the row of little leaf (foothill) palo verde(Parkinsonia microphylla) trees, Valentine shrubs and purple trailing lantana. I should note that lantana doesn’t usually flower much in winter, but in mild winters, they do.
Chuparosa (Justicia californica)
An almost leafless mesquite tree stands sentinel over a planting of red-flowering chuparosa (Justicia californica). This shrub has lovely green foliage and tubular flowers that drive hummingbirds crazy with delight.
Adding Cool-Season Beauties to Your Landscape
s you can see, the Southwestern landscape is filled with beauty and color, even in winter. Unfortunately, many homeowners tend to focus on plants that primarily bloom during the spring and summer months. While these choices can create stunning gardens during warmer seasons, they often leave gardens looking somewhat lackluster during the winter months.
Winter gardening in the Southwest offers a unique opportunity to infuse your landscape with captivating colors and textures, providing a visual treat even when the temperatures drop. By incorporating cool-season beauties like the vibrant Valentine Bush, cheery Golden Barrel Cacti, and the elegant Firecracker Penstemon, you can ensure that your garden remains a source of joy throughout the year.
Embracing winter-friendly plants doesn’t mean sacrificing the visual appeal of your landscape during the colder months. Instead, it allows you to celebrate the unique beauty that the winter season brings to the desert garden. So, why not take this opportunity to diversify your garden’s plant palette and create a lively and colorful outdoor space that shines year-round? By doing so, you can revel in the splendor of your Southwestern garden, no matter the season.
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Revitalizing a Desert Landscape An Outdoor Renovation Story
Desert landscape beauty? Yes please! Have you ever renovated the interior of your house? Seeing the old, outdated elements peeled away and replaced with new paint, flooring, etc. can leave you feeling refreshed and even excited. Well, I get to do that with outdoor spaces, assisting clients with already established desert landscapes, create an updated look. The key to this is NOT to tear everything out and begin from scratch. Deciding what should stay and what we should remove and replace is a delightful puzzle.
There is immense satisfaction from assisting people in crafting an appealing desert landscape, especially when I have the opportunity to revisit the site several months later to witness the plants’ growth. I recently had the chance to return to a desert landscape I designed, precisely one year after its completion, and I was thoroughly pleased with the outcomes.
The Desert Landscape ‘Before Picture’
I’d love to show you photos of the finished product. Here is what it first looked like.
Crafting a New Desert Landscape
The interior of the house is also undergoing renovation when I first visited. The front yard consists of two palm tree stumps, a few agave, overgrown gold lantana, and boulders.
The landscape rock was thinning and mixed in with the river rock. Unfortunately the asphalt from the street was crumbling away.
I identified the parts of the landscape that I could reuse, including the boulders and the gold lantana. Clearly, there is potential for re-purposing the river rock. We removed everything else.
Combining Old and New
To establish the framework for the new desert landscape elements, we added extra boulders. We improved the existing contouring by raising the height of the mound and creating a swale in the front center. The circular collection of rip-rap rock serves to mask the opening of the end of a French drain which helps to channel water from the patio.
Simple Yet Impactful
We placed a saguaro cactus and a totem pole ‘Monstrose’ (Lophocereus schottii ‘Monstrose’). This placement creates vertical interest. Next we pruned the existing gold lantana severely to rejuvenate them and added others to establish visual continuity. We incorporate other succulents like artichoke agave (Agave parrying var. truncata) and gopher plant (Euphorbia biglandulosa) to introduce texture through their unique shapes.
Removing the existing river rock, we then washed it off, and replaced it, along with fixing the crumbling edge of the street. This helped the landscape blend seamlessly with the natural curves of the desert.
Anchoring Corners for Desert Landscape Curb Appeal
Anchoring the corners with a grouping of plants is a very simple way to enhance the curb appeal of a home. This collection of volunteer agave and old palm tree stumps weren’t doing this area any favors.
We elevate this corner slightly, forming a gentle rise in elevation. We added a large boulder to the existing one, and we transplanted a beautiful, specimen artichoke agave from the owner’s previous residence to this spot. Angelita daisies (Tetraneuris acaulis) will provide year-round color as they fill in, and we planted ‘Blue Elf’ aloes to introduce a delightful splash of color.
A Welcoming Front Entry
Entering the front courtyard, you’ll notice the corner occupied by an overgrown rosemary shrub. We removed the dwarf oleander shrubs because they were too large for the smaller scale of this area..
Mexican fence post cactus(Pachycereus marginatus) helps to anchor the corner and will grow at a moderate rate, adding more height as it grows.
We can guarantee year-round color with angelita daisies and ‘Blue Elf’ aloe. These plants won’t outgrow this area.
Transforming a Lackluster Space
Moving toward the front entry, this area is somewhat underwhelming. The natal plum(Carissa macrocarpa) adds a pleasant green backdrop. It is thriving in the shade. The Dasylirion succulent should never have been planted here. It needs full sun to look its best.
The solution in this area is quite simple. Pruning back the natal plum to a more attractive shape makes them an asset. A lady’s slipper(Pedilanthus macrocarpus) adds height and texture contrast and will grow in the bright shade. We kept the trailing purple lantana(Lantana montevidensis), for the color that it provides. Rip rap rock is placed to add some interest at the ground level.
Tying Together Separate Spaces
In the backyard another old rosemary shrub was removed from the corner. It is replaced with ‘Blue Elf’ aloe and angelita daisy, repeating the same planting from the corner area in the courtyard, helping to tie these separate areas together.
Creating Cohesion
Aloe vera(Aloe barbadensis) are along the shady side of the house where their spiky shape creates interesting shapes. The key to keeping them attractive is to remove new growth around the base as it occurs.
A Backyard Transformation
The corner of the backyard is a very high-profile spot and faces the golf course. The homeowner’s wanted to get rid of the dwarf oleander hedge to improve their view. Clumps of agave look slightly unkempt. Volunteer agave remain and grow. The gold lantana adds ornamental value. Same for the small ‘Firesticks’(Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’).
One of the clumps of agave was removed. This opened up this area and allowed us to add two aloe vera, which will decorate this corner with yellow blooms in winter and spring. The existing gold lantana provides beautiful color spring through fall. The centerpiece of this group of plants is the water feature.
Enhancing Views and Aesthetics
It’s been over 20 years that I’ve been working on landscapes. Watching the transformation is a joy. I love being a part of it and combining the old with the new for a seamless design.
Thank you for allowing me to share this particular project with you!
Do you have windows that face outward toward a view that you would rather not see? Perhaps it is the view of the house next door. Or you have a bare wall. Maybe you need some protection from the sun. To solve these problems, have you ever considered using plants in place of curtains?
Green Window Coverings in My Garden
In my garden, I have east-facing windows, which heat the house early in the day. When our home was being built, I designed the landscape so that there were plants placed in front of those windows.
Why would I put plants in front of these windows you may wonder? I needed some sort of shelter from the sun. But I didn’t want curtains that would block my view of the garden, so I chose to add Mexican bird-of-paradise. This yellow-flowering shrub can be pruned into a small tree. This is what I have done, which still allows me to view the garden beyond while providing some protection from the sun’s rays.
Natural, Green Window Coverings – A Designer’s Perspective
A few years ago, I was working with a client who was an interior designer . She had employed this same strategy for adding beauty while shielding her windows from the sun. She had decided that instead of curtains for her windows, she wanted ‘natural, green’ window coverings.
Orange Jubilee Shrubs as Window Shields
This is the view from her living room. You can see the lush green foliage from the ‘Orange Jubilee’ creates interesting shadows inside and she can enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by beautiful plants, even while indoors.
To achieve this, she planted a row of ‘Orange Jubilee’(Tecoma x ‘Orange Jubilee’) shrubs in front of her windows.
Single Hop Bush – An Alternative to Curtains
Here is another example of using plants in place of curtains. A single hop bushshrub creates a lovely green screen that protects this west-facing window from the blistering afternoon sun.
Have you ever tried using plants instead of curtains? Beyond functioning as a curtain they also work to increase shade and reduce heat islands in neighborhoods. This helps keep homes cooler.
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I’m back with design notes from the field, where I share observations and recommendations from my work as a landscape consultant. This edition features a new build, metal art, weeds, and shade. I hope that you can pick out helpful tips that you can use in your landscape.
Designing a Modern Landscape for a New Build
Up first, is a new house that is being constructed in east-central Phoenix. The home that used to stand on this lot was taken down to the foundation. An energy-efficient home is coming up in its place. I was hired by the architect to design a landscape that will fit its clean, modern lines.
Adding Artistic Flair with Metal Garden Art
Several years ago, I solely worked as a landscape designer. I worked with homebuilders, creating new landscapes from scratch with a blank palette. Nowadays, as a landscape consultant, design is just one aspect of what I do. I have an overall plan within an existing landscape, which also includes maintenance recommendations. Now and then, I create one for new homes, and this one has some fun challenges.
The look the architect wants is simple and uncluttered. This gives the new homeowner room to add to it if desired. So, I am concentrating on using plants to create a framework. This includes two trees in the front. Then there will be two along the west-facing side to provide screening from the road and protection from afternoon sun.
Foundation Plants and Color
Foundation plants will soften the base of the house while taller shrubs will soften the corners. Ground covers will add low-level interest along with a few agave and cactuses for an accent.
A splash of color will be added by the front entry with the placement of a large, colorful pot. Fill it with an easy to care for succulent.
Design Notes Landscape Barbecue Area Solutions
Often, I am asked for advice on what to do in somewhat unique situations. In this case, the homeowner needed advice for what to do for the wall behind the BBQ. It regularly turns black after grilling.
I tend to look at problems like this as opportunities for adding more interest to the outdoor space. In this case, I recommended adding garden art in the form of rusted metal botanical panels. There is a local artist in Phoenix who creates metal panels with plant shapes cut out of them. He offers standard pieces but also does custom work.
The rusted metal garden art will add welcome interest and design notes landscape touches behind the BBQ as well as disguise any blackened area on the wall.
Botanical Panels Add Beauty
Here is an example of the metal botanical panels from another client’s home. This is where I first encountered the work of this artist. You can learn more about this metal artist here.
Battling Weeds and Embracing the Beauty of Shade
Weeds will always be a problem in the landscape. Like these I saw at a client’s home growing through the patio. The solution to this area is to slowly pour boiling water on weeds growing through the cracks. This will kill them. For travertine, only do this if the stone is sealed.
Leveraging Shade and Tree Patterns in Landscape Design
To wrap our design notes, here is a landscape. The homeowner wants to concentrate on plants up close to the house and not add any further out. If this front yard didn’t have any trees, the absence of plants would cause it to look barren and washed out. However, the patterns from the branches of the ‘Desert Museum’ palo verde add beautiful patterns on the ground here. So you can get away with leaving it bare, which draws attention to the lovely shadows of the branches.
I hope you have enjoyed this latest session of design notes. I’ll have more for you in the future.
**Stay tuned for a special announcement that I’ll be making the beginning of September. I’m working on a new project that will enable me to help you even more to create, grow, and maintain a beautiful outdoor space in the desert. I’ve been working on it for a while and am so excited to share it with you soon!
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Sometimes, one area that many homeowners struggle with is what to plant in their side yards. It can be an awkward place with little sun and not much room for plants to grow. Most of these narrow spaces along the side of our home are little more than “yards,” but there is potential to turn them into “gardens.” On a visit to a client’s house, I saw a great example of this, where the homeowner had created side gardens.
Symmetry and Blooms: A Closer Look at the First Side Garden
First, her first side garden was planted with upright Bougainvillea shrubs against the wall with Star jasmine(Trachelospermum jasminoides) planted in between. I liked the symmetry of the alternating plants. They covered the wall so well – I’m not a fan of a view of a bare wall outside my window.
Lush Green Backdrops: The Other Side of the Side Garden
Most of the time the star jasmine produces small white fragrant flowers in spring. The bougainvillea produces vibrant blooms spring through fall. What is interesting about this plant combination. is that the base of the wall in a narrow side garden rarely gets much sun. The star jasmine does well in the shade. After all, bougainvillea does best in sunny spots. The top part of them gets just enough sun to promote blooms.
In the other side of the garden, Yellow oleander(Thevetia peruviana) trees grew along the wall toward the back. ‘Orange Jubilee’(Tecoma x ‘Orange Jubilee’) shrubs covered the wall closer up creating a lush green backdrop.
Enhancing Your Side Garden’s Aesthetics
I did make two suggestions in regards to this side garden. Remove the ‘Orange Jubilee’ shrubs growing in-between the yellow oleander trees. Right now, they make that area look overcrowded. You cannot see the beauty and symmetry of the tree trunks against the wall.
Brightening Your View: The Importance of Plants in Side Gardens
If you never see your side garden or it serves as your utility area, you may not want to spend time and money on adding plants. However, I do recommend focusing on placing plants directly across from any windows. For the windows that face into that area, because who wants to look out onto a bare wall?
Want to add art and creativity to your desert side yard? Try these three inspiring ideas.
Repurposing Masonry Blocks for an Eco-Friendly Garden Wall
I am always on the lookout for new and different garden design discoveries. Using interesting materials can make a huge difference. Recently, I was teaching a class at the Desert Botanical Garden. As I headed toward the classroom, I admired the modern design of the building. It was the vine-covered wall that caught my interest.
A brilliant person created this unusual wall from broken masonry blocks. Like many other garden walls in the desert Southwest, this one is different. The broken blocks came from a wall that had been removed elsewhere. Instead of letting the blocks end up in a landfill, the person realized that they could be used to build a beautiful and functional garden wall.
Queen’s Wreath Vines and the Play of Shadows
The salvaged wall provides the perfect surface for queen’s wreath(Antigonon leptopus) vines. They crawl up on with their twining tendrils taking advantage of the nooks and crannies within the wall.
Harnessing the Beauty of Garden Shadows
The sprays of flowers, leaves, and stems create beautiful shadows along the pavement below. Shadows are an element of garden design. Do not underestimate the effect that the shapes of the shadows from cactuses, succulents, and even vines can add to a bare wall, fence, or even on the ground.
Years ago, I used to carry a small digital camera in my purse. All for the unexpected opportunity to take pictures of a particular plant, or design idea. Nowadays, this is just another reason that my smartphone is perhaps my most valued tool.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/repurposed_masonry_block_wall_queens_wreath_vine_Antigonon_leptopus.jpg1024768arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttps://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AZ-Plant-Lady-Logo-small.jpgarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2018-07-16 07:05:332023-10-09 12:28:58A Repurposed Wall Finds New Life
A boot planter adds a touch of whimsy to a patio table.
Exploring Southwest Garden Style Inspiration
I am always on the lookout for new ideas to use in outdoor spaces and on a recent trip to Austin, Texas, I toured 17 different gardens and came away filled with garden inspiration Southwest garden style.
Southwest Garden Style: A Personal Touch
A garden’s style is a reflection of the owner and because everyone is unique, so is the way that they decorate their landscape. I confess that I saw several ideas that I felt representative of my taste and am contemplating replicating them in my garden or recommending them for my clients.
These ideas may inspire you to enhance your own landscape or recommend them to your clients if you’re a gardening enthusiast.
Southwest Garden Style Inspirations
1. Living Art: Wooden Picture Frames Adorned with Plants
One delightful feature I discovered was wooden picture frames filled with live plants, adorning a garden fence. This artistic touch adds charm to any Southwest garden.
These ideas may inspire you to enhance your own landscape or recommend them to your clients if you’re a gardening enthusiast.
Wooden picture frames filled with live plants adorn a fence is Southwest garden style
2. Gazebo Oasis: Creating a Cozy Outdoor Retreat
I fell in love with a gazebo nestled in Colleen Jamison’s backyard. Furnished with comfortable seating and even a chandelier, it’s a dreamy space that I aspire to recreate in my own garden someday.
I fell in love with the gazebo in Colleen Jamison’s backyard. Filled with comfortable furniture and even a chandelier, I hope to create something similar in my back garden someday.
3. Illuminating Elegance: Candelabra and Mirrors
Within the gazebo, a candelabra graces a side table, casting a warm glow. Mirrors strategically placed throughout the garden reflect its beauty, creating the illusion of a larger outdoor space.
A candelabra graces a side table underneath the shade of the gazebo while mirrors reflect other areas of the garden.
4. Reflective Charm: Mirrors in Shady Spaces
The simple inclusion of a mirror in shaded areas can work wonders, reflecting the garden’s other side and enhancing its visual appeal.
The simple inclusion of a mirror reflects the other side of the garden and creates the illusion of a larger outdoor space. This works well in shady areas.
5. Whimsical Welcome: Garden Gate with a Unique Handle
A garden gate with a handle crafted from a hand cultivator adds a whimsical touch to the entryway, embodying the spirit of Austin’s “keep it weird” campaign.
A unique handle for a door – a hand cultivator welded to the garden gate.
6. Artistic Garden Sculptures
One garden featured a stone head adorned with Mexican feather grass, creating a striking and artistic focal point.
A stone head spouts a full head of hair made from Mexican feather grass (Nassella tennuisma).
7. Playful Entrance: Skull and Prickly Pear Cactus
Embrace creativity with a garden doorway graced by a skull and a prickly pear cactus, making a memorable first impression.
Keeping with the “keep Austin weird” campaign, a garden doorway is graces with a skull and a prickly pear cactus.
8. Curved Path of Discovery
A curved garden path leads visitors on a journey of discovery, punctuated by large concrete balls that add a unique visual element.
A curved garden path leads visitors on a journey of discovery with large concrete balls dotting the way.
9. Upside Down Planters: Gravity-Defying Charm
An upside-down planter hanging from a tree, showcasing flowering impatiens, defies gravity and adds a cool, unexpected element to the garden.
An upside down planter hangs from a tree with flowering impatiens. I don’t know how the plant stays in without falling out, but it’s cool!
10. Container Brilliance: Pots as Decorative Elements
Large, colorful containers can serve as focal points in the garden, even when they don’t contain plants. Explore the beauty of decorative outdoor pots.
A large colorful, container is the focal point behind a swimming pool. Pots don’t need to have plants inside them to add beauty to the garden. Pots can serve as a decorative outdoor element.
11. Pear Arbor: Rustic Elegance
Four pear trees form an arbor over a rustic dining table, creating a tranquil outdoor dining experience. These trees were trained onto a rebar structure, adding rustic charm.
Four pear trees form an arbor over a rustic dining table. The trees were planted 5 years ago and trained onto a basic structure created from rebar.
12. Burst of Color: Planters, Cushions, and Outdoor Carpet
Pam Penick’s garden demonstrates that color doesn’t only come from plants. Add vibrancy using planters, cushions, and outdoor carpets to create a lively atmosphere.
Color doesn’t only from plants in Pam Penick’s garden – she adds interest with vibrant hues using planters, cushions, and outdoor carpet.
Summer in my desert garden is a time to enjoy its beauty from the air-conditioned comfort of my home. Yet, it’s also when I plan and dream of what I would like to add to it when the weather cools in fall.
Metal stars are on display, framed by star jasmine vine (Trachelospermum jasminoides).
Embrace Garden Inspiration and Inspire Beauty
While garden inspiration was in plentiful supply during my visit to Austin, it can also be found in other places such as a roadside planting, a local business’s landscape, a favorite magazine, or perhaps even in your neighbor’s front yard. I encourage you to keep your eyes open to possibilities of what you can do with your outdoor space.
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