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Irrigation systems and how to install - installing a sprinkler system
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Perennials for the desert garden
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Perennials for the
Desert Southwest Garden

Ajuga
Aguja, Aguja

Also known as Bugleweed, Ground pine or Carpet bugle. Evergreen ground cover that does very well in partial shade. Nice lavender to bluish flowers adorn the plant in the spring. Fast growing, spreads quickly and can be invasive if not controlled.
Alfalfa plants Alfalfa, Medicago sativa

Alfalfa is not a plant most people plant in their gardens, but it's lavender-blue flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. It is a perennial that does very well in the desert Southwest. If you want to attract bees and butterflies, get some Alfalfa seeds and plant them yourself!
Artemisa plant
Artemisia, Artemisia

Great background plant or mixed in with other flowers in a color-bowl arrangement. Soft, intricate, silver foliage that complements other plants. Does well in the desert Southwest and prefers full sun. Fantastic when planted with white or blue flowers.
Black-eyed Susan plants
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia

Bright and cheery golden yellow or ornage flowers, from midsummer into fall. Full sun, heat and drought tolerant. Easy to grow. Attracts butterflies.
Blanket Flower plant
Blanket Flower, Gaillardia

Great plant for the full sun garden. Flowers all summer and into the fall. Deer and rabbit resistant and heat and drought tolerant. Good ground cover plant, self-seeds readily.

Cranesbill plant
Cranesbill, Geranium

Hardy perennial geranium with small blue flowers. Needs full sun. Great in containers, flower borders and as a ground cover. Deer resistant.
Damianita plant
Damianita, Chrysactinia mexicana

Great as a ground cover, heat and drought tolerant perennial. Goldern yellow flowers cover the plant in the spring and fall. Foliage is fragrant. Needs full sun. A slow grower, but a very good plant for the desert Southwest landscape.
Daylily flower
Daylily, Hemerocallis

Grows well in full sun or partial shade. Flowers come in several shades and some are fragrant. Great as a border plant or in containers. Drought and heat tolerant. Deadhead daily for a longer blooming time.

Dianthus
Dianthus, Dianthus

Also called mini carnation. Fragrant flowers in pink, red, white, rose or lavender, appear in spring. This plant does best in cool weather and full to partial sun. Good in containers and as cut flowers. Attracts butterflies.
Dusty Miller plant
Dusty Miller, Senecio cineraria

Great background plant or mixed in with other flowers in a color-bowl arrangement. Soft, fuzzy foliage with clusters of small yellow flowers. Does well in the desert Southwest and prefers full sun.
Echinacia flower
Echinacea, Echinacea

Also known as Purple Coneflower, easy to grow and attracts many birds and butterflies to the garden. Flowers are fragrant and make great cut flowers. Full sun, heat and drought tolerant.
 
Gazania flower
Gazania, Gazania

Very heat and drought tolerant plant, great choice for the desert Southwest garden. Multi-colored flowers last all summer long, deadhead to encourage more flowers. Self-seeds readily. Plants tend to form large clumps as they mature.

Geranium flowers
Geranium, Pelargonium

Great container plant or in flower beds. Many different flower colors available. Usually grown as an annual, but bring them indoors for the winter and they will last for several years. Needs full sun. Drought and heat tolerant.
Hosta plant
Hosta, Hosta

Does best in partial shade to full shade. Many different foliage variations available and some have fragrant flowers. Watch out, deer and slugs love Hosta. Good ground cover for shady areas, like under trees.
Hyssop plants
Hyssop, Agastache

Heat and drought tolerant plant with beautiful spikes of blue, purple, pink, rose, white or orange flowers, depending on the variety. Full to partial sun. Blooms mid-summer into fall. Very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Great choice for the desert Southwest garden.
Ice Plant
Ice plant, Delosperma

Very heat and drought tolerant plant, great for the desert Southwest landscape. Spreads quickly and is very hardy. Flowers vary in color, depending on the variety. Plant in dry areas with good drainage and full sun.
Iris plant
Iris, Iris

Many different flower colors, depending on variety. Full to partial sun, heat and drought tolerant, as well as wet soil tolerant. Easy to grow from rhisomes. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Great in borders.
Lantana plant
Lantana, Lantana

Wonderful plant for the desert Southwest landscape and garden. Very hardy, heat and drought tolerant. Full sun. Grows fast and flowers all summer into the fall. Several different flower colors. Hummingbirds and butterflies love it. One of our best flowering plant choices!
Lilly of the Nile flowers
Lilly of the Nile, Agapanthus

Colorful, delicate globes of blue or white flowers adorn the evergreen plant in summer and fall. Does well in containers, allow to become root-bound to encourage flowering. Flowers best in full sun. Needs moist soil.

Plumbago flowers

Plumbago, Plumbago

Blue flowers from mid-summer into fall. Full to partial sun, heat tolerant. Deadhead to encorage more flowers. Great for container gardening. Freezes to the ground level in some areas, but usually returns from the roots in spring. Attracts butterflies.

Rudbeckia flower Rudbeckia, Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia

Very drought tolerant perennial, loves the full sun and flowers all summer long. Self-seeds very well. Great bright, colorful choice for the desert Southwest garden.
Salvia flowers
Salvia, Salvia

Many different varities and flower colors available. Great flowering plant for the desert Southwest garden. Very heat, cold and drought tolerant. Most varieties bloom from early summer into fall. Attracts hummingbirds and butterfiies. Full to part sun.
Pink NM Thistle flower Thistle, New Mexico Thistle, Cirsium neomexicanum

A native of Arizona that does very well in the desert Southwest. Perennial plant with beautiful pink flowers in late spring or summer, depending on rainfall. Very heat and drought tolerant wildflower.
Verbina flowers
Verbina, Verbina

Fast growing, does extremely well in the hot, dry heat of the desert Southwest. Grows quickly and spreads well. Great in containers and hanging baskets. Comes in a variety of colors. Verbina and lantana are our most recomended flowering plants for the Southwest garden.
Trailing Vinca plant
Vinca, Vinca

Vinca or Periwinkle is a fast growing vine, likes the shade but tolerates the sun. Keep well watered in full sun. Blue, white, purple or lavender flowers, depending on the variety, from mid-spring to fall. Easy to grow.
Yarrow flowers
Yarrow, Achillea

Great flowering plant for the desert Southwest garden. Heat and drought tolerant. Needs full sun and good drainage. Flowers come in red, yellow, gold, pink or white and blooms in the spring, summer and fall, depending on the variety. Attracts butterflies. Good in cut flower arrangements.


 
 
     

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