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Tag Archive for: ground cover

Made in the Shade: Yellow Dot

Arizona garden, AZ Plant Lady Classes, California desert garden, desert gardening, Ground Covers, Landscape Problems, Las Vegas gardening

It may surprise you to find that it is easier to find plants that thrive in the sun than in the shade.

Especially if you live in the desert Southwest. Why is this, you may ask?

Well, it can be hard to find plants that can handle the intense, dry heat of our climate while flourishing in the shade. While there are a number of lovely plants that can work in shady conditions, it’s hard to know which ones will, which is why I make sure to include my favorites for students in my online gardening class.

So, what do you do if you have a shady spot to fill?

Yellow Dot (Wedolia trilobata)

One of my favorites is Yellow Dot (Wedolia trilobata), which is a vining ground cover with lush, dark green leaves interspersed with yellow daisy-like flowers.

Here is a plant that does fabulously in dark shade and will handle brief periods of full sun. 

Yellow Dot grows quickly to 1 ft. high and 4 – 6 ft. wide and is hardy to 30 degrees. It’s susceptible to frost damage, which can be easily pruned back in spring.

One of my favorite characteristics of this lush green ground cover is that it has a long bloom period – spring through fall. 

It grows beautifully underneath trees, along pathways, and among boulders. You just want to be sure to allow enough room for them to spread.

So, if you have a difficult shady spot that needs a plant – try Yellow Dot.

How about you?  Do you have a favorite plant that does well in shady spots?  I’d love to hear about it!

Gardening in the Desert Southwest – Interview

https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Yellow-dot-2.jpg 640 462 arizonaplantlady@gmail.com https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AZ-Plant-Lady-Logo-small.jpg arizonaplantlady@gmail.com2019-08-28 09:07:002020-12-15 12:05:44Made in the Shade: Yellow Dot

Drought Tolerant and Beautiful: Sandpaper Verbena

Ground Covers

I like to use plants in my garden that add a lot of color and the drought-tolerant and beautiful, sandpaper verbena certainly doesn’t disappoint.

sandpaper verbena

Its blossoms are a vibrant, deep purple that carpets the ground in a mass of glorious color from spring through fall.

The deep green leaves add a visually cooling element to the landscape as well.

Butterflies find the flowers irresistible too.  

See where this colorful ground cover gets its name and why you’ll want to include it in your drought-tolerant garden where it will add beauty to your outdoor space in my latest plant profile for Houzz.com

 

 

Great Design Plant: Glandularia Rigida Paints the Ground Purple

 

An Attractive, Drought-Tolerant Hedge for Southwestern Gardens: Hop Bush

https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/sandpaper_verbena_Glandularia_rigensApr122C20152C11-39AM.jpg 396 640 arizonaplantlady@gmail.com https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AZ-Plant-Lady-Logo-small.jpg arizonaplantlady@gmail.com2015-08-28 19:58:002025-08-26 05:21:54Drought Tolerant and Beautiful: Sandpaper Verbena

Favorite Flower Photos: Day 5 – A Cloud of Yellow

AZ Plant Lady, Uncategorized

Yellow is a great color to include in the garden.

Why

Yellow-flowering plants will help the other colors in your garden to ‘pop’ visually because it provides great color contrast.

damianita plant

Damainita (Chrysactinia mexicana) 

One of my favorite yellow-flowering plants is damianita, which blooms in spring and again in fall.

damianita plant

It thrives in hot, sunny, desert gardens, is drought-tolerant and is almost maintenance-free.

I love how it looks like ‘yellow clouds’ sitting on the ground when in bloom.

For more information on damianita as well as a few other desert perennials that I like to use in desert landscapes, click here.

https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Damianita-Chrysactinia-mexicana-flowers.jpg 691 1024 arizonaplantlady@gmail.com https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AZ-Plant-Lady-Logo-small.jpg arizonaplantlady@gmail.com2014-07-14 14:30:002025-08-12 01:06:53Favorite Flower Photos: Day 5 – A Cloud of Yellow

One Tough Little Daisy for the Desert Garden

desert gardening
Little Daisy

Do you like daisies?

I do.

Especially one that can handle the tough conditions often present in the desert garden.

Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum) thrives in full sun – even areas that receive hot, afternoon sun.  All while being drought-tolerant.

To find out more about this desert perennial and ideas on how to add it to your garden, check out my latest plant profile for Houzz.com.

 
Great Design Plant: Blackfoot Daisy for Prettier Dry Ground
Remodeling, decorating, and more ∨

From kitchens to the living room, window treatments add a finishing touch to any room in the house.
For small bathroom ideas, browse photos of space-saving bathroom cabinetry and clever hidden mirrored medicine cabinets.

 

 
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Blackfoot-Daisy-1.jpg 787 1600 arizonaplantlady@gmail.com https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AZ-Plant-Lady-Logo-small.jpg arizonaplantlady@gmail.com2014-03-24 16:29:002025-08-16 23:17:53One Tough Little Daisy for the Desert Garden

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noelle-johnson-az-plant-ladyNoelle Johnson: AZ PLANT LADY®

Author, Horticulturist, Landscape Consultant & Lover of Blue Pots

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Shrub Pruning Booklet: Say “No” to ball, square & cupcake-shaped shrubs!

Spiral-bound pruning guide booklet for shrubs

Product of the Month: Leather Gardening Gloves

 

Spring is the busiest time of year for pruning plants. Are your hands ready? A good pair of leather gloves is really important. My Bamllum gloves have a good grip and offer great protection.

 

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“…and the desert shall rejoice and blossom.” Isaiah 35:1

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