To be honest, I have never wondered why before, until I met a desert tortoise who wanted to cross a road. Desert Tortoise, Stock Photo My encounter with a desert tortoise occurred while I was on my way home in the late afternoon…

One of the most interesting things I encountered when I first moved to Arizona was driving down a residential street and seeing front yards full of 3 inches of water.  Imagine my surprise when I learned that this was done on purpose to…

I am talking about Agave babies, which are known as 'pups'. Parry's Agave with small pup. I knew that my Parry's Agave, above, had a little pup growing.  I have been keeping my eye on it, letting it grow a little bit more before…

That was my first thought when I came out to Arizona as a young bride over 23 years ago.  Brown mountains, strangely shaped cactus and words like 'javelina', 'dust devil', 'haboob' and 'gila monster' that meant nothing to me were soon…

Do you ever wonder why some plants go through what I like to call the "Ugly Stage" of winter when they are covered with frost-damaged growth, while the exact same plant(s), located close by do not?  Is their any possible way to avoid this…

Okay, I realize that most of you have not been waiting with baited breath to see what three English Roses I have chosen.  But for those of you who have, here is what I have decided on.... Abraham Darby (Pink/Peach)Graham Thomas (Yellow)&William…

Favorite flowers, Mr. Lincoln My favorite hybrid tea I have a confession to make.... My favorite flowers in the whole world are roses.  Okay, that isn't my confession, but I will get to that later.  In my previous…

It is rare that we receive any snow in the Phoenix metro area where I live.  I have enjoyed living vicariously through many of you who have posted pictures of your beautiful snowy wonderlands.   So, unlike many of you, I do not have any…

Summer time brings a riot of color to our desert gardens, which are but a distant memory in December.  However, cooler temperatures do not mean that our gardens have to take a holiday.  In our desert climate, there are many plants that flower…