Southwest Gardener

06/18/2026

There are many reasons desert plants love the rain -- it's not just the nitrogen! Learn more about why plants love the rain here: https://swgardener.com/benefits-rain-water/

06/18/2026

The desert southwest has a lot of unusual plants, and the boojum tree (Fouquieria columnaris) may be the weirdest of them all. It’s technically a succulent, not a tree, and is closely related to another unusual desert plant — the ocotillo.

Boojum tree is every bit as weird as its name implies. Decide whether this desert native would be a good choice for your yard and how to care for an existing one.

06/18/2026

Looking to entice more hummingbirds into your desert garden? Turn your yard into a “hummer haven” by planting flowering shrubs, perennials, vines, trees, and succulents that our beloved feathered friends can’t resist.

Looking to entice more hummingbirds into your desert garden? Turn your yard into a “hummingbird haven” with flowering plants that hummers can’t resist.

06/15/2026

It's not your imagination, plants really do look happier after a rain. (And it's not just the nitrogen!) https://swgardener.com/benefits-rain-water/

06/12/2026

When shopping for plants, please consider supporting one of our many outstanding local Tucson nurseries. You are more likely to get an appropriate, healthy plant along with knowledgeable advice. Find both an interactive map and a list of Tucson nurseries and garden centers here. https://swgardener.com/tucson-nursery-directory/

06/12/2026

Queen of the night is an elusive cactus that's rarely seen in the wild. But it's widely regarded for its nocturnal flowers that simultaneously bloom once per year. While you might be daunted at the prospect of growing one, this southwest native makes a virtually no-maintenance addition to desert gardens.

Queen of the night is an elusive cactus with nocturnal flowers that simultaneously bloom once per year. Here’s how to grow this southwest native.

06/05/2026

Bamboo muhly looks like a small, lacy bamboo, but this elegant plant is actually a desert-hardy ornamental grass. Here’s how to grow and care for this unusual Arizona native.

Bamboo muhly looks like a small bamboo, but this elegant plant is actually a desert-hardy ornamental grass. Here’s how to grow this unusual Arizona native.

06/05/2026

Is your new desert plant “established”? If so, it may be time to give it less water. But how can you tell? What does “established” really mean? Learn two ways to determine when a new plant is considered established.

Is your new desert plant “established”? If so, it may be time to give it less water. Learn two ways to determine when a new plant is considered established.

05/29/2026

Neem oil is a natural, versatile insecticide that breaks down fast in the environment and can treat many common insect pests. But it has some big drawbacks, too, including issues that impact its safety and effectiveness. Learn more so you can decide whether it’s the answer to your pest problems.

Neem oil is a natural, versatile insecticide. But it has some big drawbacks including that most brands remove the active ingredient! Learn more about neem here.

05/29/2026

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance desert vine that stays a manageable size, supports butterflies, and has exotic “other worldly” flowers, look no further than Arizona passionflower.

Arizona passionflower is a low maintenance vine that supports butterflies and has exotic “other worldly” flowers. Here’s how to grow this Arizona native.