How to Grow Catmint (Nepeta faassenii) Catmint, or Nepeta faassenii, is a low maintenance, durable plant that is easy to grow in many Southwest gardens. These plants spread easily, growing to about 18 inches wide so it makes an excellent groundcover. It’s purple flower spikes rise to about the same height. A member of the…
What Is Used As An Organic Fertilizer Anymore, there are so many types of organic fertilizer, it can be difficult to know which organic fertilizer is best for your gardening situation. Some fertilizers are better for vegetables and some are better suited for getting more blooms on your plants. In this article we will go…
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Zinnia People are concerned about the recent decline in native pollinators. This has highlighted the need to grow more native plants in our yards. Great idea! But most gardeners want colorful plants in their yards. Never fear – native zinnia are here! Native pollinators are programmed to look…
How To Plant and Care For Trumpet Vine As you are planning to add some beautiful flowering Vines to a block fence/wall this Fall you might want to consider the Trumpet Vine. Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, is a woody species grown for its…
How to Grow Chocolate Flower Chocolate flower (Berlanderia lyrata) is a Southwest native packed with flowering power and a bonus—the chocolate aroma of the flowers. Be sure to plant it where you can get a whiff of the scent while walking down a path or sitting on your deck or patio. You can grow this…
Planting Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra californica) Colorful flowers, attractive foliage, heat tolerance, and wildlife magnet are just a few of the characteristics that describe Baja Fairy Duster. This Mexican native thrives in desert gardens due to its drought tolerance and ability to handle full sun, reflected heat, and partial shade. One of Baja Fairy Duster’s…
How To Care For A Pygmy Date Palm In A Pot When caring for a Pygmy date palm in a pot there are only three things you need to do. Just three simple things! 1)Avoid pruning unless necessary 2)Fertilize one to four times a year 3)Don’t over water Avoid Pruning Your Pygmy Date Palm Unless…
When to Prune Roses and Shrubs in Desert Landscapes Knowing when to prune your roses and other shrubs takes some knowledge of the plant type, cues from nature and a little guesswork. In the low desert, hard pruning usually begins in winter (January or early February) to stimulate early spring growth. A second prune in…
How To Troubleshoot an Irrigation System Your landscape is a major investment, adding up to 10 percent of the total value of your home, so an ounce of prevention is certainly worth a pound of cure. Like your car, your irrigation system has moving parts and electrical connections – thus it needs regular maintenance and…
Best Emu Bush Plants For Endless Winter Color One of the many benefits of living in the Southwest is that we enjoy a lot of color from flowering shrubs, trees and other landscaping plants year round. If you need a splash of winter color, we love to plant one of these varieties of Emu Bush.…