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Photo: Roses Feeling The Heat , My Abraham Darby shrub rose and my little dog, Tobey.
Challenges of Hot Arid Climates for Roses
If you live in a hot arid climate, chances are that your roses are feeling the heat and aren’t looking their best right now. While gardeners in cooler climates celebrate summer with beautiful rose blooms, the opposite is true for those of us who live in the desert.
Surprisingly, roses actually grow quite well in hot, southwestern zones, and even though mine look somewhat sunburned – I’m not worried because this is normal. Understanding proper irrigation makes a big difference, but roses feeling heat will still have concerns.
Effects of Roses Feeling Heat with Intense Sun and Warmth
You see, roses that are grown in the low desert regions, don’t like the intense sun and heat that summer brings. As a result, the flowers become smaller, and the petals burn in the sun and turn crispy. By July, you are unlikely to see any new roses appearing until Fall.
Impact on Rose Plant Leaves
The rose blooms aren’t the only parts of the roses feeling heat concerns in summer – the leaves can become sunburn.
The sight of brown crispy petals and leaves may make you want to prune them away, but don’t.
Why?
Avoiding Premature Pruning
Pruning will stimulate new growth that will be even more susceptible to sunburn damage. Second, the older branches and leaves will help to shade the growth underneath the sun.
Strategic Pruning Schedule will Help Roses Feeling Heat
I know that it is very hard not to prune away the brown leaves – I feel you. However, in September, pull out your pruning shears and prune back your rose bushes by 1/3. This removes the sun-damaged flowers and leaves and stimulates new growth.
Comparative Benefits of Hot Arid Climates
If you lament the less-than-stellar appearance of your summer roses feeling heat, and think it’s easier to grow roses in other climates, you would be wrong.
Oh, certainly, we have to deal with our roses not looking great in the summer. But, compare that with gardeners in other regions who have to deal with the dreaded Japanese beetle that shows up every summer and eats their roses. Or, people who live in more humid climates and are having to deal with severe cases of blackspot or powdery mildew (white spots on the leaves).
Blessing of Dual Bloom Seasons in the Southwest
Lastly – we are fortunate to enjoy two separate bloom seasons for our roses. In fall, when many other gardeners are putting their roses to bed for the winter, ours are getting ready to bloom a second time that year.
And so, I will ignore my less than beautiful roses this summer, because I know that they will look fantastic this fall It is that simple 🙂
Two New Roses Find a Home in a Desert Garden
Finding the Perfect Plant Nursery
Navigating Plant Shopping Options
“Where do you recommend I go to buy plants? At a plant nursery?” This is one question that I’m often asked by desert dwellers. The choices that people have for purchasing plants range from a locally owned nursery, a nursery chain, or a big box store. So which is best? Well, that depends on the situation. So, I am going to give you my recommendations based on different factors.
Exploring the Local Nursery
Local Nursery
Situation #1:
You have just moved into a new house and want to add some plants. The problem is you have no idea what kind of plants do well in your new region, how to care for them, or what type of exposure is best.
Answer: A Locally Owned Nursery
I would highly recommend visiting a locally owned nursery, which employs people who are knowledgeable about plants. Also, the types of plants they carry are most likely well-adapted to the growing conditions of your area as well.
Local nurseries also sell a greater variety of plants.
The mature size of a plant often depends on what climate they are grown in. So your local nursery professional can tell you how large the plant will become in your zone. Also, what type of exposure it needs along with watering and fertilizer requirements the plant will require.
You will pay a little more at a locally-owned nursery or a small chain. Saving money due to the excellent advice and well-adapted plants for the region is a bonus.
Consider the Big Box Store Nursery
Big Box Store Nursery
Situation #2:
You have a list of plants that you need for your garden. Best yet, you are familiar with the plants that do well where you live and how to care for them. Also, your budget for purchasing new plants is small.
Answer: The Big Box Store
When you know exactly what plants you need you are at an advantage. If you have a tight budget, you may want to check out your big box store’s nursery
Another important thing is to be familiar the plant’s needs in advance. While nursery personnel may be helpful, not all of them are knowledgeable about plants.
The biggest benefit for shopping at a big box store’s nursery is that plants are often less expensive than at your local nursery. Many also offer an excellent plant warranty as well.
One important thing to remember about shopping at a big box store nursery is that just because you see a plant there, does not necessarily mean that it will do well in your area. I have seen quite a few plants available in my local big box store that is sold out of season or very difficult to impossible to grow where I live.
Shop Wisely for Your Garden
So where do I shop for plants? It depends on several factors.
Parry’s Penstemon (Penstemon parryi)
For flowering annuals, I shop at the nearby big box store as it’s hard to beat their variety and amount plants available.
When I need perennials, shrubs, succulents, or trees, you’ll find me at my favorite local nursery. They grow most of their nursery stock, so I know that it is adapted to the climate.
While traveling to areas with similar climates to mine, I take time to see if they have any specialty nurseries and take time to visit.
I do need to confess that my favorite place to find plants is not at a nursery, but at my botanical garden’s seasonal plant sale. They have hard to find plants, and I know that whatever plants I come home with will do well in my garden.
Regardless of where you shop for your plants, I highly recommend researching plants ahead of time.
Learn how big they get, what type of maintenance they require, watering needs and how it will do where you live. You can find most of this information easily online by doing a simple search using the plant name + where you live, which will give you links on the plant and how it does in your area.
5 Tips for Choosing Plants From the Nursery
Nurturing Your November Garden
Okay, correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t it October 1st just a few days ago? It’s hard to believe that November is already here. You know what that means – Christmas is just around the corner.
Last month was a busy one in the garden. While there are not as many tasks to be done in November, there are still a few things to do.
Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Planting Cold-Tolerant Beauties
Continue planting cold-tolerant trees, shrubs, and perennials. These include Angelita Daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis), Blue Bells (Eremophila hygrophana), Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla), and Valentine Bush (Eremophila maculata). All of these plants do well in full sun in your November garden.
Wait until spring to tropical flowering plants such as Lantana, Bougainvillea, and Yellow Bells since these frost-tender young plants are more likely to suffer damage from winter temperatures.
Adding Winter-Ready Shrubs and Perennials
Plant Chaparral Sage and Mexican Honeysuckle in Your November Garden
Chaparral Sage (Salvia clevelandii)
Other shrubs to consider planting now include Chaparral Sage (Salvia clevelandii) and Mexican Honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera). Each of these do well in an area that receives filtered sun.
Mexican Honeysuckle (Justicia mexicana)
Mexican Honeysuckle is one of my favorites because it thrives in light shade, is frost-tolerant AND flowers much of the year.
Stunning Snapdragon Penstemon
Snapdragon Penstemon (Penstemon palmeri)
Perennials are a great way to add color to the landscape and Penstemons are some of my favorites. Parry’s and Firecracker Penstemons are seen in many beautiful landscapes, but there is another that I love. Snapdragon Penstemon (Penstemon palmeri) is not often seen but is stunning. It grows up to 4 ft. tall blooms in spring and its flowers are fragrant.
It’s not always easy to find but is well worth the effort. Use it in an area that gets some relief from the afternoon sun.
Fall’s Colorful Ornamental Grass & Wildflowers
‘Regal Mist’ (Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘Regal Mist’)
You may have seen this colorful ornamental grass blooming this fall. Pink Muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris) is a lovely green, ornamental grass in spring and summer. Once cooler temperatures arrive, it undergoes a magical transformation. Burgundy plumes appear in fall, turning this grass into a show-stopper.
‘Regal Mist’ in winter.
In winter, the burgundy plumes fade to an attractive wheat color.
There is still time to sow wildflower seed for a beautiful spring display. My favorites are California Poppies, California Blue Bells, and Red Flax.
Thriving Edible Garden in November
My edible garden is usually filled with delicious things to eat in fall.
Herbs for Winter Delights
Herbs are easy to grow and most will thrive throughout the winter. The one exception is Basil, which will die once temperatures dip below freezing. Harvest your basil before the first frost arrives. You can dry it and put it into spice jars or freeze it into ice cubes.
Vegetable Planting and Care
Thin vegetable seedlings. This is easiest to do using scissors and snipping them off at the soil line so that you don’t disturb the roots of the remaining seedlings.
Check your seed packet to determine how far apart the seedlings should be.
Many vegetables can be planted in November. Leafy greens like bok choy, lettuce, kale, mustard greens, and Swiss chard can be added. Sow carrots and radishes can also be planted in November.
I am so happy to be able to make salads from my own garden again instead of relying on a salad from a bag.
Last Chance for Garlic and More
If you haven’t done so yet, this is the last month to plant garlic in your garden. It is easy to grow, and I grab a few heads of garlic from the grocery store to plant.
Broccoli and cauliflower transplants can still be added to the garden this month. Onions, peas, and turnips can also be planted in November.
Adjusting Your Garden’s Watering Routine
If you haven’t already done so, adjust your irrigation schedule to water less frequently then you did in the summer months. More plants die from over-watering than under-watering, even in the desert Southwest.
I find that monthly gardening task lists keep me on track in the garden. This book is a great resource for Arizona gardeners:
*What will you be doing in your garden this month?
Fall Gardening , Gaillardia
Fall has arrived in the desert southwest, despite what the thermometer says.
Days are still warm, but the nights are getting longer and cooler.
Plants are beginning to show signs of fall by putting an extra flush of bloom.
Fall Gardening , Salvia chamaedryoides
This is by far, my favorite time of year and you’ll often find me in the garden adding new plants as well as tending to my vegetable garden.
Not surprisingly, fall is the busiest time in the garden, and there is a lot to do. I’ve made a new ‘AZ Plant Lady Garden Video‘ to help you with what needs to be done in the garden right now.
*What are you doing in your fall garden?
Fall Planting: How to Select Plants
Historic Landscape Styles
Earlier this week, I was finishing up an appointment in downtown Phoenix and since I had some spare time available, I decided to drive through one of my favorite historic neighborhoods – the Encanto-Palmcroft district.
Historic Landscape Styles
I always enjoy driving down streets looking at homes built long ago and seeing how they are landscaped. Some, remain the traditional landscaping with green lawns, neatly pruned shrubs and deciduous trees, like the one above.
I love porches, which aren’t a popular feature in southwestern homes in general. These homeowners made the most of their small porch with a pair of rocking chairs and colorful Talavera pottery.
Some of the houses had taken on some more modern design elements such as adding raised beds and a small courtyard.
I really liked this raised bed which was filled with plants prized for foliage and not flowers.
While there were still front landscapes filled almost entirely with grass, but some had decreased the amount of grass. I liked this one where two rectangles of grass flanked the front entry, yet stops at the wooden fence where it transitions to a xeriscape. It speaks to the historic roots of the neighborhood while injecting a touch of modernity.
Plants such as artichoke agave (Agave parryi ‘truncata’) and lady’s slipper (Pedilanthus macrocarpus) fit in seamlessly with the other more traditional landscape elements in this garden.
This home also retained its lawn but added drought tolerant plants up toward the foundation. The spiky texture of agave and yucca add a contemporary touch along with texture contrast.
Here is a car that you would expect to see when many of these homes were brand new.
Check out the large Texas olive (Cordia boissieri).
This home had a walled-in courtyard added for privacy and a curved path leads up toward the entry.
The pathway leading toward the residence begins at the parking strip and is flanked by river rock.
A couple of the historic homes shed their green lawns and formerly pruned shrubs completely.
Mature specimens of ironwood (Olneya tesota), jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), and creosote (Larrea tridentata) create privacy for this house.
An informal pathway also bisects this parking strip leading toward the entry path to the house.
The purple door contrasts beautifully with the hunter green color of the house.
The backyard of this desert retreat is surrounded by a fence made of rebar.
Small vignettes are visible through plantings of hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa) and yucca.
As I left the historic district, I spotted a beautiful specimen of a palo blanco tree (Acacia willardiana).
I could have spent several hours exploring the Encanto-Palmcroft historic district, but it’s nice to have a reason to come back again someday.
*You can view another garden in this historic district from an earlier post, A Hidden Jewel In the Middle of Phoenix.
January is off to a busy start. We have gone from a house bursting at the seams to one that seems suddenly spacious after my two oldest daughters left for home with their children. While I do miss them, I must admit that I never thought a house filled with 3 teenagers would seem quiet.
Enjoying last minute cuddle time with Lily before she flew back to Michigan.
As I drove my oldest daughter and her family to the airport, I felt that familiar tickle in my throat and knew that I was getting sick. I wasn’t too surprised with all of the busyness of the holidays that my resistance was low.
A few days later, I was due to make an appearance on the television show, Arizona Midday, which airs on our local NBC television station. The topic was to be about winter gardening tasks.
While I have been on television a few times before, this was my first time on this particular program.
As with the other times, I made a trip to the nursery for plants and other things for the television spot since the producers like a lot of props to make things look more interesting.
I came away with a bare root rose (my favorite Mr. Lincoln red rose), leaf lettuce and kale, parsley and cool season annuals for color. Other props included different types of frost protection including frost cloth, old towels, and sheets.
Unfortunately, as the date of my television appearance neared, my cold got worse and evolved into a full-blown sinus infection.
So on a brisk winter morning, loaded up with cold medicine and a pocket full of kleenex, I loaded up my plants and other props and headed to the TV station along with my mother who came with me to help me stage the table and provide moral support.
We spent a delightful time waiting to be escorted to the studio in the green room with a pair of chili cooks who were talking about an upcoming chili cookoff.
Television show, Arizona Midday
Finally, it was time for the gardening segment, which went quite smoothly – I didn’t cough or sneeze once. The host was kind, gracious and most importantly – laid back and relaxed.
After returning home, I got on my favorite pair of sweats and got back into bed. I am determined to kick this cold!
I hope that your January is off to a great start!
Apple harvest time starts early in the desert Southwest. In my low desert garden, it arrives precisely in the first half of June.
As I mentioned in my earlier post, this year’s apple harvest was to be a special one because for the first time, my own apple trees would provide a sufficient harvest without us having to pick the trees on the family farm.
On a bright and sunny June morning, I headed out into the potager (my kitchen garden) along with four teenagers and a 3-year old to pick apples.
We harvested 4 large bags full of sweet, tart apples from my ‘Anna’ and ‘Dorsett Golden’ apple trees, which are the verities that do best in hot, desert climates.
So, what did we plan on doing with all these apples?
Well, besides eating them raw, the plan was to make an apple pie with a cinnamon sugar crust, apple chips and applesauce.
Now, you may think that making an apple pie would be the last thing that a teenager would want to do. But, my kids along with my niece, look forward to this day every year.
I make one pie a year, so we make an occasion of it.
Before we get any further, I’d like to tell you about the participants in today’s apple adventure.
Ruthie – my 17-year old daughter
Gracie – my 13-year old daughter
Sofie – my 16-year old niece
Gracie C. – 17-year old friend of my daughter
Lily – my 3-year old granddaughter
While Ruthie and Sofie were peeling apples, Gracie C. worked on thinly slicing the apples.
Lily and Gracie had fun watching the peeling and slicing and were waiting patiently for their turn to help.
Lily’s job was to help mix the apple slices in a bowl filled with water with some lemon juice to keep the apples from browning.
Once the apples were ready, we made the pie crust. I use a mixture of both butter and vegetable shortening in my pie crust.
I taught the girls how to make a decorative pie crust edge using their fingers.
This may have been their favorite part.
To add an extra special touch to the pie, we brushed it with egg wash and then sprinkled cinnamon sugar on the top.
Here is the finished product, ready to bake in the oven.
*I’d like to note that I do not claim to be a professional food photographer like my sister. I use no special lighting and didn’t take the time to clean the counter before taking the photo 🙂
The kids had so much fun making the pie and couldn’t wait to eat it once it we took it out of the oven, which explains why I have no ‘after’ photos of our pie!
Now that our annual pie was finished, we got to work on our second apple recipe – Cinnamon Sugar Apple Chips.
Apple chips are ridiculously easy to make and they are addictive!
All you need to do is to slice them very thinly – a mandolin works great, if you have one. There is no need to peel or core the apples, which makes this an easy recipe – simply remove any stray seeds from the slices.
Lay the apple slices on a cookie sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
Lily had fun with the apple slices with holes in the center.
We sprinkled the apples with cinnamon sugar, but this an optional step – you don’t have to add any cinnamon sugar.
Bake the apples in a 200 degree F oven for 1 hour and then turn the apple slices over and bake for another hour.
The apples should be crispy and melt in your mouth. A word of caution – they won’t last long!
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While this photo protrays three normal teenage girls, their story is anything but average.
Their story together began years ago, before they were adopted and came to the U.S.
All of these girls grew up together in an orphanage in China. They formed deep bonds with each other and became each other’s family in the absence of parents. They often referred to themselves as “orphanage sisters”.
Unlike many adoptions, the girls waited until they were older to be adopted. Sofie and Gracie C. were adopted in 2006 and Ruthie in 2007.
Along with several other “orphanage sisters”, who were also adopted, we had a reunion several years ago in Colorado and since then, both the parents and kids have stayed in touch.
Gracie C. flew into town to visit with Ruthie and Sofie and it was so wonderful seeing them together again!
**You can read about our adoption journey to get Ruthie, here.**
Love them or hate them, oleanders have a firm foothold in the desert landscape where they are usually seen creating living green ‘walls’ in order to provide privacy.
Their popularity is due in large part to several characteristics:
– Their evergreen foliage provides the rich, dark green color that many miss living in the desert.
– Oleanders are easy to grow, with little to no fertilizer and are drought tolerant once established.
– They add beauty to the landscape spring through fall with their flowers.
While the popularity of oleanders is still holding on, there is a fatal disease that affects them that has made its way from California and is now being seen increasingly in Arizona.
Oleander leaf scorch(Xylella fastidiosa) is a bacterial disease that plugs up the vascular system of affected oleanders, eventually making the movement of water throughout the plant impossible over time.
This disease is spread by flying insects, called sharpshooters. These small insects (1/4 inch long) become carriers of the disease when they feed upon an infected oleander. Thereafter, they spread it to every other oleander they feed upon.
Oleanders in Southern California were first diagnosed with the diease in the early 90’s and it was just a matter of time before it spread to Arizona.
Advanced stages of oleander leaf scorch
Oleander leaf scorch was first diagnosed in Arizona in 2004. Its spread has been slow, but inexorable.
I have seen several cases of this disease during landscape consultations, including one that I did yesterday.
The homeowner had a very large oleander hedge that was over 20 years old, which provided privacy from his neighbors.
What may look like some browing leaves in this small branch is one of the classic symptoms of oleander leaf scorch.
Oleander leaf scorch
Close up, you can see the brown, outer leaf margins, which is characteristic of oleander leaf scorch. (Not to be confused with drought symptoms, which cause discoloration of the middle of the leaf).
As we continued to walk along the row of oleanders, the infected oleanders were interspersed between healthy ones. The reason for this is that the nature of flying insects is that they hop from one plant to another, but not necessarily the next plant – they may fly 3 shrubs away before feeding again or to the next yard or block.
Symptoms of oleander leaf scorch
This oleander showed another type of browning symptom of oleander leaf scorch with the tips looking ‘scorched’.
It’s important to note that salt burn resulting from drought or shallow irrigation can cause similar symptoms as shown in the photo below:
Drought-stressed oleander leaves
Note the middle of the oleander leaf is affected in the case of drought stress. While unsightly, the oleander pictured above, does NOT show signs of oleander leaf scorch.
Initial signs of oleander leaf scorch.
Back to the oleanders showing signs of oleander leaf scorch – by looking closely at seemingly healthy oleanders, I could see the beginning of symptoms with lighter green alongside darker leaves. The signs of the disease don’t show up all at once in the beginning. Often, it starts out with a branch here and there showing signs initially that will gradually progress throughout the entire plant.
It’s important to note that once an oleander has been infected with this disease, the entire plant has it – not just the branches that initially show the first signs.
Lower leaves showing the beginning symptoms of oleander leaf scorch.
So, what is the treatment for oleander leaf scorch? Sadly, there is no cure and it will eventually kill oleanders over a 3 – 5 year period once infected.
Some experts recommend pruning out affected branches to improve the appearance of infected oleander shrubs for the short term. But, they will die.
I recommend removing infected oleanders right way to help keep the disease from spreading.
Personally, I have seen the disease affecting large, old oleanders in North Central Phoenix and in the Arcadia area. It’s simply a matter of time before I will see it in outlying areas.
Initial signs of oleander leaf scorch
Consult with an expert if you suspect that your oleanders are infected. Problems with irrigation, nutrient deficiency and salt burn can mimic some of the symptoms of oleander leaf scorch and a horticulturist or other landscape expert can help you rule out other causes. Ultimately, positive identification of oleander leaf scorch can only be made by a lab tests through your local cooperative extension office.
Can you can simply get rid of infected oleanders and start over with new ones? The anwer is, “no”. The reason for this is that the disease is already present in the local sharpshooter insect population and it is only a matter of time before the infect your new oleander shrubs.
I recommend using hop bush (Dodonaea viscosa) as an alternative to oleanders. It is evergreen, recommended for use near pools, makes a great hedge, is drought tolerant and attractive.
For more information on oleander leaf scorch, you may want to check out the following links:
Leaf Scorch Management Guidelines
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I hope your day is off to a great start! I’m off to the Desert Botanical Garden’s spring plant sale. I just hope my car has enough room to fit all the plants I will want to buy 🙂
Oleander Leaf Scorch Strikes Again…
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Have you ever made a discovery that was literally under your nose?
I did.
Earlier this month, I embarked on a tour of low-water gardens that displayed sustainable design throughout the greater Phoenix area.
The earlier parts of our tour showed examples of water harvesting using cisterns along with man-made arroyos. Then we viewed a creative example of sustainable design for a beautiful parking lot that needed no supplemental water and little to no maintenance.
I mentioned last week that I had saved the best for last and I can’t wait to share with you this jewel in the midst of a desert city.
The last stop on our tour of low-water and sustainable gardens was the Scottsdale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden.
The garden is just over 5 acres and sits hidden from the street next to Chaparral Park in central Scottsdale.
Over 200 different types of plants are used throughout the garden, all of which are drought-tolerant and well-adapted to our hot, dry climate.
My friend and fellow blogger, Pam Penick, came with me to this beautiful garden (you can see her at the top of the terraced planters).
One of my favorite parts of the garden included this innovative design, called the ‘Terraced Cascade’ which creates the appearance of water traveling down between terraced planters filled with Palo Blanco trees (Acacia willardiana) and Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata).
Water does flow down discretely hidden steps between the terraces during times of heavy rainfall toward the water harvest basin where it waters existing plants before flowing underground toward the nearby lake.
Raised planters were filled with flowering Ocotillo as well as Birdcage Evening Primrose (Oenothera deltoides).
Birdcage Evening Primrose (Oenothera deltoides) in the foreground and Mexican Evening Primrose (Oenothera berlanderi) growing against the Ocotillo.
I must admit that I was surprised to find this garden in an area that I used to spend a lot of time in.
Years ago, before the garden existed, my husband and I would take evening walks around the nearby lake with our daughter. Believe it or not, before there was a garden, there used to be a miniature golf course in this location.
I love stone walls and would have some in my own garden, if I could afford them. The stone walls were capped with flagstone and had rows of round stones, which added an unexpected touch of texture.
From our vantage point, we could see to the other side of the garden where a tall, dead tree stood. Trees like this are called a ‘snag’, which is a dead or dying tree. This tree provides a home for hawks, which help keep the rabbit population down.
Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra californica) and Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata)
Gabion walls were used along pathways to created terraces to help slow down storm water in order to reduce flooding while watering the plants.
The demonstration garden is located next to a water treatment plant and part of the garden sits on top of a reservoir that contains 5.5 million gallons of treated water.
Deer Grass in the foreground.
One of the things that I enjoy about demonstration gardens is that they ‘demonstrate’ different gardening methods as well as showcasing plants.
In this case, I was impressed with the collection of plant species used, which aren’t typically seen in residential or commercial landscapes, which is a shame.
As we walked down the main path, we came upon a man-made, mesquite ‘bosque’. The word ‘bosque’ is used to refer to stands of trees nearby rivers or washes throughout the southwestern United States. Usually, you’ll find these bosques made up of mesquite trees.
This bosque was planted with Honey Mesquite trees (Prosopis glandulosa), which is simply stunning in spring when it’s bright-green leaves reappear. A warning though – it has thorns.
Palo Brea (Parkinsonia praecox) trees and gabion walls line the main walkway.
Plants are maintained just the way I like them – no shearing or over-pruning.
Gold Mound Lantana, Orange Bush Lantana and Pink & White Globe Mallow.
The main pathway parallels the local dog park.
There is little that can compare to the beauty of the new spring leaves of mesquite trees. I love how the coral-colored variety of Bougainvillea and the yellow flowers of Aloe Vera look like brightly-colored jewels along with the leaves of the mesquite.
Nearing the end of the trail, I couldn’t help but marvel at this beautiful garden and its creative design.
Throughout the garden were educational signs talking about a myriad of gardening subjects that were clearly illustrated by the garden itself including planning and design, plant care and desert habitat.
A large cistern was located on one end of the trail, which was filled with the average amount of water that a household uses in 1 week.
Around the outer border of the cistern is an American Indian saying that says:
“THE FROG DOES NOT DRINK UP THE POND IN WHICH HE LIVES”
Those are words that all of us who live in the dry, southwest should all ponder…
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The Scottsdale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden is located at Hayden and McDonald Roads in Scottsdale. It is open from sunrise to 10:30 at night.
I hope you have enjoyed these posts of our tour of sustainable, southwestern landscapes in the greater Phoenix area.
Pam and I drove about 170 miles in one day and we weren’t able to see all of the great examples of sustainable landscaping. However, if you are interested in seeing examples of sustainable gardening, then I would recommend starting at the Desert Botanical Garden, which is filled with arid-adapted plants that thrive in our climate with minimal water and fuss.
If you haven’t visited Pam’s blog, Digging, I encourage you to do so. Many of the plants that she grows in Austin do well in our climate too. Did I also mention that she is an author? She has a fabulous book called Lawn Gone!: Low-Maintenance, Sustainable, Attractive Alternatives for Your Yard, which I highly recommend.