Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Palms = Oasis



Palms have long been a favorite of desert gardeners, commercial enterprises and homeowners. They make striking accents and give a tropical look to desert and traditional landscapes. Some varieties are planted as single specimens, some in accent clumps and others make excellent potted subjects for yard or patio. The following paragraphs cover when and how to plant palms, how to maintain them and which ones have proven track records in our climate.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Celebrate National Pollinators Week


                                       PLANTS THAT ATTRACT

BUTTERFLIES AND BIRDS 

Add airborne color & life to your yard


Butterflies and birds provide a source of enjoyment and education for many of us.  Here are some of the plants, usually found in this area, that attract them.

Butterflies


CommonBotanical
AbeliaAbelia grandiflora
AsterCallistephus chinensis
Autumn SageSalvia greggi
Black Eyed SusanRudbeckia hirta
Blanket FlowerGaillardia grandiflora
BorageBorago officianalis
Bridal WreathSpiraea vanhouttei
Butterfly BushBuddleia davidii
Chaste TreeVitex agnus-castus
ColumbineAquilegia hybrids
CoreopsisCoreopsis grandiflora hybrids
CosmosCosmos hybrids
DelphiniumDelphinium x belladona
Desert LilacErysimum linarifolium
DianthusDianthus chinensis
Garden PenstemonPenstemon hybrids
HoneysuckleLonicera japonica
Lavender (all)Lavendula varieties
Lilac (all)Syringa varieties
Oregon GrapeMahonia aquifolium
Sea ThriftArmeria maritima
Shasta DaisyChrysanthemum maximum
Stonecrop SedumSedum telephium
YarrowAchillea varieties
ZinniaZinnia elegans

Birds


CommonBotanical
Arizona CypressCupressus arizonica
BoysenberryRubus ursinus
Cactus, Prickly PearOpuntia species
CoreopsisCoreopsis grandiflora hybrids
Indian HawthornRhaphiolepis varieties
Joshua TreeYucca brevifolia
MesquiteProsopis hybrids
Oregon GrapeMahonia aquifolium
PinePinus species
Russian OliveElaeagnus angustifolia
Southern Live OakQuercus virginiana & hybrids
SumacRhus lancea
SunflowerHelianthus

Hummingbirds



CommonBotanical
AbeliaAbelia grandiflora & hybrids
Bird of Paradise, RedCaesalpinia pulcherrima
Bird of Paradise, YellowCaesalpinia gilliesii
Bush Morning GloryConvolvulus cneorum
Butterfly BushBuddleia davidii
Cape HoneysuckleTecomaria capensis
ColumbineAquilegia hybrids
CotoneasterCotoneaster varieties
DelphiniumDelphinium x belladona
Desert WillowChilopsis species & hybrids
DianthusDianthus varieties
False SpireaAstilbe x arendsii
Flowering QuinceChaenomeles japonica
Garden PenstemonPenstemon hybrids
GeraniumPelargonium varieties
HollyhockAlcea rosea
HoneysuckleLonicera japonica
Iris (all)Iris varieties & hybrids
Lavender (all)Lavendula species
Lilac (all)Syringa varieties & hybrids
RedbudCercis varieties & hybrids
Salvia (Sage-all)Salvia species & hybrids
Silk Tree (Mimosa)Albizia julibrissin
Strawberry Bush/TreeArbutus unedo
SunroseHelianthemum varieties
Texas Ranger Sage (all)Leucophyllum species & hybrids
Trumpet VineCampsis radicans & hybrids

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

The Most Common Desert Gardening Question





How much should I water my shrubs and trees?
The answer may surprise you!