You Can Grow That: Tropical Ferns
You may love living in the Southwest but I’m sure there are days when the heat gets to you and you just want to fly away to someplace cool for a break. Flying away is not always possible (especially these days) but you can create a cool sanctuary inside your home with ferns. Ferns are a family of plants native…
Hoja Santa, a Tropical Herb for the Southwest
Gardening in the Southwest has introduced me to several herbs unknown in other parts of the country. One of my favorite – almost flamboyant – finds is hoja santa, a tender perennial import from Central America and parts of Mexico. Hoja santa has large heart-shaped leaves about 10 inches long with one lobe of the heart larger than the other.…
5-Plus Native Plants for High-Altitude Gardens
The high deserts and mountains of Southwestern states are hard on plants, but plants native to these regions grow better.
Night Garden in the Southwest
Night time is a truly magical time during our Southwestern summers. As the blazing sun sinks below the horizon and the air begins to cool off, a number of native plants open their flowers, looking lovely in the moonlight, drenching the night air with alluring fragrances, and enticing the night-flying pollinators. Moon Garden Over a year ago I (Jacqueline Soule)…
You Can Grow That: Chuparosa
People often react with surprise when they learn there are many colorful desert natives. Chuparosa (Justicia californica) is native to the Sonoran Desert and provides a welcome splash of color to desert landscapes and is easy to grow. One of the benefits of using native plants in challenging climates is that they thrive with little fuss and is a great…
