A Special Garden in the Desert

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On a recent visit to southeastern Arizona, I was invited to visit a special garden in Bisbee, a small community with a big heart. My husband and I visit Bisbee every spring and enjoy walking through the older part of town with its historic…
side garden with art on walls and raised beds

Colorful Art Transforms a Side Yard

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Do you have a side garden or perhaps an empty stretch of landscape along the side of your house? Many of my clients do, and they desire something attractive to look at when they look outside their windows. Because let's face it - staring…

Spring Planting Roses in the Desert Garden

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Have you seen roses growing in a desert garden? When I talk with desert dwellers, many are convinced that roses cannot grow in our hot, dry climate. However, that just isn't true. I experience a certain kind of joy when I share with…

It’s My Book Birthday!

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Today was a day long in coming... In many ways, it was like a very long pregnancy - 18 months to be exact since my initial discussion with my editor about writing a book on desert gardening. The journey from idea to book was filled…
Hardenbergia

A Lilac for the Desert? Another Great Lesser-Known Plant to Try

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Purple lilac vine I am here to showcase a lesser-known plant for you to try in your garden.   In winter, the garden can often look blah and colorless. But, it doesn't have to be that way in the desert garden. There are…

Early Morning Exploration and Discoveries

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I have picked up a new hobby, which was a bit accidental - birding! As a horticulturist, birds go along with gardening, and I've always enjoyed them. One of my most requested speaking topics is about gardening for birds. However, I have…
pumpkin bread

The Best Pumpkin Bread You’ve Ever Tasted

I realize you are likely to find useful desert gardening info on my website, but what you may not know is that I love spending time in my kitchen. So, today's post is about a favorite recipe, but there is a garden connection it's made…
desert garden with flowering plants in fall

Fall in the Desert Garden

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Fall is my favorite time of year for two main reasons. First, it signals the beginning of the holiday season. And yes, I am one of those people who decorate for Christmas early. Thanksgiving dinner at my house is celebrated with a fully…

Got Dead Plants?

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I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this one. We have all likely experienced the death of a plant in our garden, and even though I am a horticulturist, I'm not immune. Sometimes, plants die in my garden too. Here is a photo of my recently…
flowering shrub

Why Plant Names are Confusing

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Isn't this a pretty shrub? I saw this flowering beauty at a client's home. Now, when you see a plant that you like in a friend or neighbor's yard, you probably ask them what it's called. My client was very proud of her shrub and…