Tag: Arizona

  • Spotlight: The Splendid Argentine Giant Cactus

    Spotlight: The Splendid Argentine Giant Cactus

    If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will go its whole life believing it is stupid. So the saying goes. It means that different creatures have their own abilities and certain environments where they can thrive. Just like one person might excel in one situation and struggle very much…

  • Spotlight: Tangerine Crossvine – vigorous, colorful, dependable

    Spotlight: Tangerine Crossvine – vigorous, colorful, dependable

    I’ve been using a fair amount of tangerine cross vine in my plantings, and it’s not a mystery why. I can make a compelling argument for planting it in Phoenix gardens with only a few basic facts. It seems like a good choice already for many back garden walls and sitting areas. But let me…

  • Common Saguaro Problems

    Common Saguaro Problems

    This has been a terrible year for saguaro in the Phoenix area, which is unfortunate because this grand cactus is a proud and unforgettable symbol of our desert home. There are many reasons to want a saguaro in your landscape. They are striking, they require very little maintenance, they provide a vertical accent, and they…

  • Plants that don’t play well with drip systems

    Plants that don’t play well with drip systems

    In Arizona we are lucky to have drip irrigation systems that keep our plants watered so we don’t have to worry. In the desert, many irrigation systems are initially programmed to water once a day. But some plants never adjust to daily waterings and never will. For some plants, daily watering could even be deadly.…