Perennial Garden Consultants

10/31/2026

Wonderful, precious rain--it really does make the plants grow! In fact, the Mojave Desert receives the majority of its precipitation over winter, just another reason why now is the best time to start a new garden (or refresh an established one).🌧🌱

For those who don't know me, or may be new to the Vegas Valley, I hold a certification with the American Society for Horticultural Science, have 25+ years personal and professional experience, and I do not profit from selling you plants. You don't have to face the hurdles and challenges of creating or caring for a Las Vegas garden on your own! Contact me to find out how a consultation or comprehensive design can give direction to your project and create the resilient, beautiful, and climate appropriate garden you want to enjoy!😊

10/29/2026

Making improvements to one’s outdoor space need not be overwhelming, stressful, or scary! 🎃

Just in time for Halloween (and the autumn season), check out my guide and find 6 ways to take your yard from frightful...to delightful!🍂

Thank you to Linda for the photo of her autumn-ready courtyard!😊

10/25/2026

Where do you find garden inspiration in Las Vegas?

As a garden designer, staying inspired can be a challenge. But I recently had the pleasure of being a guest at the annual Sun City Summerlin Garden Club Autumn Tour (thank you, Linda!). 😊

Most garden tours I take are part of my work, so as you can imagine I get to see a lot of yards in need of help.

How positively lovely then, for garden club members to graciously share their beautiful gardens with other members. It's a great way to get new ideas, see what works across the community, and hear the stories behind the plantings. I really enjoyed it.🙂

Here's a photo I took of Kenneth's succulent garden--lush and inviting! Thank you for sharing!

10/18/2026

It finally feels like autumn here in the Vegas Valley! So grab something pumpkin-flavored and savor the Autumn Issue of my seasonal ezine, Designer's Notebook!🍂

I pour 20+ years of personal and professional garden and design experience into every issue (written without the use of generative AI). It's a resource for local plant care and design for the past 10 years, with photos I've taken myself in and around the Vegas Valley.😊

If you want to enjoy a better yard or keep your amazing garden looking that way, preview the Autumn Issue and subscribe at perennialgardenconsultants.com/sign-up today! And welcome!😊🍂

10/10/2026

One of the most important things to understand about choosing garden plants in the Las Vegas Valley is that a plant's hardiness zone doesn't tell the whole story.

Las Vegas, the San Francisco Bay Area, New Orleans, and other places can all include areas classified as USDA Zone 9, yet their climates are dramatically different. The USDA hardiness zone tells us about average extreme winter temperatures and does not consider the intensity of summer heat, reflected sunlight, humidity, or overall lack of rainfall that we deal with here.

These differences matter enormously when choosing plants for a Vegas Valley garden!!

As a designer, finding plants with flowers in shades of purple, blue, and pink that can withstand our intense summer sun and reflected heat can be challenging. A plant that thrives in a cooler or more humid Zone 9 climate may struggle here, especially with no afternoon shade, even if it is technically winter-hardy.

If you have a south- or west-facing garden, especially with reflected heat, you have to look at what plants will accept that kind of exposure while grouping plants together with similar water needs. It's not always easy, and may require some compromise, but it is necessary if we want our plants to make it past spring planting and stop starting over from scratch year after year.

Have a great weekend!😊

Photo of chapparal sage, Salvia clevelandii, by

10/06/2026

What a great day this past Saturday at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve! had wonderful locally-grown plants available, and it was absolutely gorgeous outside--I think the butterflies and Tino the desert tortoise (celebrating his 18th birthday) would agree!🦋

10/03/2026

If you want to get out into nature, shop locally-grown native plants in a beautiful setting, and have your garden questions answered by a professional, Saturday's the day to do just that at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve!

My name is Michele, and I'm an ASHS Certified Horticulturist, independent consultant and Las Vegas garden designer. Join me, Desert Love Native Plants, and Red Rock Audubon for a wonderful day. I'll be there from 10 AM to 1 PM October 2nd to chat plants, design, and offer guidance, but come early to enjoy the Preserve!

Looking forward to seeing you there!

https://www.desertlovelv.org/events

Upcoming Events Oct 3 Native Plant Sale at Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve Saturday, October 3, 2026 10:00 AM 1:00 PM Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve (map) Google Calendar ICS The Native Plant Sale at Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is back!On Saturday October 3rd10:00am - 1:00pmjoin us, Red Roc...

10/01/2026

The Autumn Issue of Designer's Notebook is out this week and packed with design and plant care specifically for Vegas Valley garden!🍂

Fall is a super-busy season here--while other regions of the country begin winding down their gardens, here in the Vegas Valley we are just getting started! My free ezine has been guiding subscribers to bettering their outdoor spaces since 2017. I write all the content myself without AI, and all photos are local too.😊

If you're not a subscriber, but think you might like to be, you can preview the latest issue and sign up here:
perennialgardenconsultants.com/sign-up

Welcome!🙂

09/23/2026

It's official--autumn is here! Between the fantastic weather and Saturday's exciting plant sale at the Springs Preserve, life feels like a celebration!🍂

Why not celebrate fall with me by subscribing to my free ezine, Designer's Notebook?

I've been drawing upon my 25 years + professional and personal experience and sharing design and Vegas Valley plant care tips without AI now for nearly 10 years.😊

perennialgardenconsultants.com/sign-up

Sign up and watch your inbox for the latest issue! Happy Autumn!🍂

09/18/2026

No matter what your plant preferences or your level of Vegas Valley garden knowledge, I hope you'll come out to the Springs Preserve Saturday for their annual Autumn Plant Sale!🍂
https://www.springspreserve.org/events/index.cfml?id=2403&lang=en

There will be plenty of knowledgeable folks on hand there to answer your gardening questions, and of course, plenty of choice plants to discover!

I will be there with Desert Love Native Plants from 8-11 to help with your design and plant questions.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081970955742

It's such a great opportunity, not to be missed--and just in time for fall planting season in our area. Looking forward to seeing you at the sale!😊