Our lawns are one of the focal points of the home. Turf grass maintenance is key to a beautiful, weed free, healthy lawn. And it all starts with selecting the best grass for southwest regions. Proper varieties will be adapted to the zones, require less care, and are bred to thrive in the area's weather. Once the correct variety is installed, a few basic tips and tricks on maintenance can keep it verdant and thriving.

Achieving a bowling green of emerald grass doesn't have to be a pipe dream. Aeration, de-thatching, fertilization, weed control, and mowing are all part of good grass management. The southwest poses challenges due to the very hot days, cool nights, and lack of natural precipitation. A variety of grass, irrigation, and fall and spring applications will help the homeowner towards the goal of lush landscape. Lawn care in Utah and surrounding states relies upon a planned maintenance program for best results.

Mechanical Lawn Care Utah and Similar States

In the arid regions of the southwest, grasses are slow to grow unless adequate irrigation is applied. The best lawn grass for New Mexico may not be the best for Utah, so check with your extension office for suggested varieties. Buffalograss and blue grama are ideal for low water areas, but zoysia grass, Kentucky bluegrass, Bermudagrass, and perennial ryegrass are excellent varieties for the home landscape.

Mowing is one of the most essential parts of lawn care. Each type grows at a different rate, so it will vary as to when it is time to mow. The rule with any plant is to never take off more than 1/3 of the growth. Make sure the mower has a sharp, clean blade to prevent injury to the grass and make sharp cuts, Mow to a height of 2-4 inches (5-10 cm.). This is a bit high for some gardeners but taller grass promotes deeper roots which helps the plants harvest deeper water sources. Overall this produces a healthier, greener lawn. If the lawn is mowed frequently enough, the clippings should be allowed to drop into the lawn. This mulched material will add nutrients back into the soil and prevent excess evaporation of moisture.

Aerating and De-thatching

Arizona lawn care tips apply to much of the region. Wondering when to aerate a lawn in Colorado and the southwest? Aeration can open the soil and help plant roots access moisture and nutrients more effectively. It removes some of the thatch that builds up over time, which is comprised of dead and live roots, rhizomes, and stolon, as well as excess clippings.

Aerating cool season grass is usually done in spring as the lawn begins to actively return to rapid growth. Warm season grasses may be done in summer. Heavily trafficked areas may require aeration twice a year. A little thatch is a good thing because it conserves moisture and protects roots. But a heavy thatch will smother the grass and diminish beneficial organisms. De-thatching is similar and may be done with a hard rake or thatching machine at any time of the year.

Fertilizing and Water

The best use of water is through an installed irrigation system, but overhead sprinklers may be used. Watering in the early morning helps to reduce evaporation and water loss. It also allows leaf blades to dry, minimizing the chance of fungal disease. Using timers is recommended so the water can start when it is still dark and turn off in a prescribed amount of time.

Each variety of grass has different water needs, but on average provide 1 to 1-1/2 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm.) of water per week. Apply fertilizer in fall and spring. If clippings are left on the lawn to compost, use a balanced fertilizer. For lawns that do not receive clippings, nitrogen will be the highest nutrient need. Consider using a time-release food that will not produce excess nitrogen. Too much nitrogen can encourage certain plant diseases.

The American Southwest features a sunny, arid climate nearly year round. Freezing temperatures do occur but the majority of the region is hot. Hostas are plants that prefer part to full shade in organic rich soil. They also need plenty of water. Hostas in New Mexico may not receive enough natural precipitation and will need a deep soak weekly. Colorado hostas, similarly, will need consistent moisture, but also protection from the deep winter chills.

Hostas are beautiful foliage plants with small flower spires. They come in a wide range of sizes, providing displays for any size of garden. Due to their cultural needs, hostas grown in the Southwest should be selected for drought and sun tolerance. Open areas of the landscape with little shade will produce poorly growing plants and will likely burn the gorgeous leaves. While the Southwest is characterized by hot temperatures, areas like Colorado get extremely cold in winter. Site selection is the most important consideration for growing hostas in the Southwest.

Can Hostas Grow in Arizona?

The Southwest comprises Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, California, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Oklahoma. This lower portion of the U.S. has desert-like lands, and in some cases actual deserts. In areas such as Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas, temperatures commonly soar to the triple digits, while evening temperatures during certain times of the year drop to freezing. Such wild ranges in a single day pose many challenges for plants that are not native. However, even hostas may be grown in the region. Hostas perform well when they receive morning or late afternoon sun, with shade during the heat of the day. The soil in the Southwest can be anywhere from silty, to clay, to loam. Soil should be amended with well rotted compost prior to planting hostas to provide plenty of organic matter and porosity.

Site Selection for Hostas

Hostas' large leaves can burn on the margins and tips in full sun situations. But they do need sun to produce flowers and maintain their leaf colors. Variegated hostas may fade in full shade situations. The best locations are on the north or east side of the home. Eastern plants will receive morning light and afternoon shade. Northern hostas will have afternoon sun. Avoid planting hostas in a southern or western facing direction. As a rule, blue-leaved plants need more shade, but variegated gold, white, or yellow leaves tolerate more sun.

Hostas will grow well in containers as well. But with potted plants, the soil will dry out much quicker than in-ground hostas. Expect to deeply water in ground hostas once per week and container bound plants when the soil is dry to the touch. General potting soil is sufficient for container grown hostas, but a mulch over the top of the soil will conserve moisture.

Caring for Hosta in the Southwest

Hostas are quite stoic and have few pest or cultural problems. However, browsing animals love the plants. They should not be grown where deer are frequent visitors. Most other pests will ignore the plant with the exception of slugs and snails.

Average hosta water needs are around 1 inch (2.5 cm.) per week. But a hosta plant Utah-grown may experience different water needs from one in Arizona, especially in the fall and spring. Simply checking soil moisture levels with your hands is often the best way to determine if it is time to water. Another clue is wilting leaves. But yellowing leaves can be a sign there is too much water being applied. In good soil, hostas rarely need fertilizing. A diluted application in the spring, in a high nitrogen formula will keep leaves happy.

Landscaping in the southwest affords the gardener many choices. Native flora are ideal as they are adapted to the year-round warm temperatures and low rainfall. The wild shrubs of New Mexico would be perfect landscaping choices because they are used to the blazing sun and arid conditions. When selecting ornamental imports, consider the weather factors and high light exposure. Native soil should also be taken into account. Soils tend to be very deep but poorly draining, and most often a silt, clay, loam.

Gardening in regions with little ambient humidity or precipitation can be challenging. Such conditions explain the American southwest. There are 4 deserts: the Great Basin, Sonoran, Chihuahua, and Mojave. These regions are very dry but experience a brief rainy season. Plants must be able to withstand such arid and hot conditions. Native Arizona bushes and other plants of the region are best accustomed to the natural weather patterns and will establish more quickly than imported plants. They will also be able to withstand local pests and disease.

Selecting Southwest Desert Shrubs

In this region, it is best to choose plants that tolerate xeriscape conditions. These types of plants will need water to establish but can tolerate periods of drought thereafter. Using natives provides such tolerance, while also attracting and fostering native insects and flora. They are also part of a sustainable landscape where less fertilizer and water input are necessary. Additionally, plants should be grouped according to their needs. A specimen that needs plenty of moisture should not be sited where existing plants prefer dry conditions

Arizona Flowering Shrubs

Procuring plants that flower further enliven the landscape. While Arizona flowering shrubs are suited for most of that state, they may also be suitable for other areas of the southwest.

• Butterfly bush
• Forsythia
• Rock spirea
• Rose of Sharon
• Siberian pea shrub
• Twinberry
• Honeysuckle
• Cinquefoil
• Firethorn
• Wax currant
• New Mexican locust
• Common snowberry
• Fragrant viburnum
• European cranberry bush
• Lilac

Plants like serviceberry are native to the west and can be used across the region. Serviceberry will produce white flowers followed by fruits eaten by birds.

Utah and Colorado Shrubs

Before selection of plants, consider their mature size. Taller plants around windows should be avoided in order to prevent obstruction of view. Also double check the hardiness of any non-native plants to ensure their survival. Plants in Colorado and Utah may also have to contend with high elevations.

• Manzanita
• Century plant
• Ceanothus
• Dogwood
• Chokecherry
• Waxflower
• Elderberry
• Privet
• Mahonia
• Smith buckthorn
• Sumac
• Smokebush
• Cotoneaster
• Scotch broom
• Buffaloberry
• False indigo
• Turpentine bush
• Burning bush
• Apache plume
• Thimbleberry
• Waxflower
• Ocotillo
• Creosote bush
• Sagebrush

Shrubs of New Mexico and Texas

The majority of the previous shrubs would thrive in New Mexico, but a few additional species will also perform beautifully. Barberry comes in a variety of forms and sizes but be wary of the stickers. Cherry sage is a showy medium sized bush that produces showy flowers and scented leaves. Texas purple sage, a native plant, is evergreen with bright purple to pink blooms. Deeply violet flowers adorn blue mist, while fernbush will dance with plenty of white flower clusters. Imported ornamental varieties may also be used in the landscape, provided they are situated near a water source and their cultivation needs match the land.

Selecting the right plant for your zone is crucial to good growth and development. The southwestern region of North America tends to be hot and dry, with a rainy season that is capricious. Southwest native plants are always recommended for the region, due to their adaptability and resilience to the climate. Wild plants require less care and have resistance to the local pests and diseases. They have acclimatized to the pattern trends and the sometimes- scorching heat.

The garden design should include a variety of plants for dimension and a broad palette. Included in these are native plants. For instance, Utah native plants such as Pinyon pine, Utah holly, and serviceberries. These plants are water wise, attract wildlife, and are easy to grow. Choosing native plants for specific regions is made simple by local Extension services who publish lists of plants suitable for the garden. These lists will generally give lighting, moisture, and other site selection guidelines for fool proof garden planning.

Native Colorado Plants

Choosing to use a range of native plants, reflects and supports the wild ecosystem. Wild plants are adapted to the soils and climate of their particular zone. In Colorado, the high elevation provides a cool, dry climate with hot summers. There is usually plenty of snow and cloudy days. Suggested plants for the Colorado home garden are:

• twinberry
• purple poppy mallow
• blanket flower
• red berried elder
• prairie zinnia
• waxflower
• western chokeberry
• serviceberry
• desert four o'clock
• bee balm
• harebells
• wax currant
• wild rose
• golden currant
• spiderwort
• Rocky Mountain penstemon

The flowering plants will encourage pollinators, provide habitat, and add easy beauty to the landscape.

Arizona Native Plants

Using Extension services or local native plant societies as a guide, the home gardener in the southwest can utilize local flora as part of their landscaping scheme. Such plants encourage native fauna and provide proven successors for the garden. Wild plants will adjust and establish more quickly than imported varieties. They also need less water, fertilizer, and special care. Arizona native plants to try:

• passionvine
• spinystar
• blue grama
• blackfoot daisy
• wolfberry
• cypress
• velvet ash
• buck-horn cholla
• beargrass
• butterfly milkweed
• coral bean
• beaver tail prickly pear
• yucca
• aster
• bullgrass
• bush muhly
• cardinal flower
• desert penstemon
• creosote bush
• deer grass
• sacred thorn apple
• thicket globe mallow
• Hohokam century plant
• Mojave lupine
• Santa Cruz beehive cactus
• agave
• sugar sumac
• Wright's buckwheat
• walking stick cactus
• Saguaro
• prairie Acacia

New Mexico Native Plants

Many of the above plants will be adapted to New Mexico, but it has its own flora. Taking time to ensure soil condition and provide irrigation in the form of drip or other systems, will make establishment of new plants quicker. Often there is more than one variety of a particular desired species. Take into consideration grasses. There are many plains and desert grasses from which to select, such as blue grama, buffalograss, Indian ricegrass, beargrass, western wheatgrass, and little bluestem. Penstemon and primrose also provide many varieties from which to choose. Certain characteristics and size will vary, allowing for many options.

• western soapberry
• Mexican hat
• Ponderosa pine
• creosote bush
• western blue flag
• desert sweet fernbush
• butterfly weed
• common yarrow
• common silverweed
• Great basin sagebrush
• Wright's silktassle
• prairie verbena
• yellow spiderflower
• Santa Fe phlox
• Ponderosa pine
• littleleaf sumac
• New Mexico locust
• scrub live oak
• dotted blazing star

The Southwest garden is still vibrant and brimming with November gardening chores. At higher elevations, frost has likely already hit, while at lower elevations frost is impending, meaning it is time to harvest those last crops and start putting the garden to bed. This is where a regional to-do list will come in handy.

Read on to learn what November gardening tasks need to be accomplished for your area.

Southwest Garden in November

The Southwest encompasses areas of desert and mountainous terrain, along with the accompanying temperature and weather swings. This means that Southwest gardening tasks will vary slightly from area to area. That said, a regional to-do list can be compiled and used as a guideline for getting the garden ready for the winter months and following spring.

November Regional To-Do List

Depending upon your southwestern area, November may still be harvesting time. Crops planted in mid to late summer are coming to fruition and need to be harvested and eaten or processed. If crops are still growing and producing, protect them from frost.

Also, protect tender perennials from frost with a frost blanket or move them to a covered patio or a protected area on the deck. Reduce irrigation and keep up on the weeding.

Clean up those empty outdoor pots by sterilizing them with a bleach/water solution to kill any mold or bacteria. At the same time, clean and store garden tools and store hoses. Sharpen mower blades and other sharp utensils at this time.

Remove any remaining fruit from trees and those littering the ground. Take a soil test to determine what, if anything, the soil needs to be amended with. The Southwest garden in November is the perfect time to juice up the soil if necessary.

Additional November Gardening Chores

Some plants like mums and peonies should be pruned back after the first frost, while others should be left alone for wildlife to nibble on during the winter. Leave native plants and those with seed pods alone for birds and other wildlife. Hang suet filled bird feeders. Invest in a solar powered bird bath so your feathered friends have a steady source of drinking water.

Other November gardening tasks include lawn care. Lawn care for Southwest gardens in November will depend upon the type of grass you have. Warm season grasses such as bluegrass, rye, and fescue should be watered every week to ten days.

Apply a high nitrogen fertilizer to ensure the grass will remain green during the winter. Mow warm season grasses until they become dormant and continue to water even when dormant at least twice a month. Cool season grasses, such as Bermuda, go dormant but should still be watered at least twice per month.

Tackling these November gardening tasks now will ensure the garden is prepped and ready for next spring.

Southwest gardening in October is beautiful; summer has gradually winded down, days are shorter and more comfortable, and it’s a perfect time to be outdoors. Use this opportunity to take care of those October garden tasks. What to do in the Southwest in October? Read on for a regional to-do list.

Regional To-Do List: Southwest Gardening in October

• Planting new perennials in October will give the roots time to establish before the cooler days of winter.
• Fall is also a perfect time to divide existing perennials that are overcrowded or unproductive. Toss out old, dead centers. Replant the divisions or give them away.
• Harvest winter squash, leaving 1 to 3 inches (2.5-8 cm.) of stem intact. Put the squash in a sunny spot for about ten days before moving them to a cool, dry spot for storage, but be sure to bring them in if nights are frosty. Pick green tomatoes when temperatures fall consistently below 50 degrees F. (10 C.). They’ll ripen indoors in two to four weeks.
• Plant garlic in full sun and well-drained soil. October is also a good time for planting horseradish. Plant cool season annuals like pansy, dianthus, and snapdragon.
• Gradually decrease watering to harden plants for winter. Stop fertilizing by Halloween, especially if you expect hard freezes. Clean up leaves, dead plants, and other garden debris that may harbor pests and disease over the winter.
• October garden tasks should include weed removal by hoeing, pulling, or mowing. Don’t allow pesky weeds to go to seed. Clean and oil pruners and other garden tools before putting them away for the winter.
• Your regional to-do list should also include at least one visit to a botanical garden or arboretum in the Southwest. For example, Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City, or Ogden’s Botanical Gardens, and Red Hills Desert Garden, to name just a few.

Even in regions with warm winters, there are September gardening tasks to get you ready for the next full growing season. The Southwest region comprises Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado, although some extend the designation to include Nevada. Either way, these areas are hot and dry, but cool down a bit in fall and winter. A regional to-do list can get gardeners in this range ready to complete fall chores.

Southwest Gardening in September

September in the Southwest is a beautiful time of year. Temperatures during the day are no longer in the triple digits and the evenings are delightful and cooler. Most gardens are still in full swing, and it is a good time to plant cole crops such as broccoli, cabbage, and kale.

Harvesting on many vegetables is in full swing and crops like persimmons and citrus are beginning to ripen. It is also time to do some maintenance so plants will not suffer in the freezing temperatures that are coming.

Since cold temps are around the corner, it is a good time to mulch around sensitive plants. The mulch will protect roots from freezing conditions. Keep mulch a few inches (8 cm.) away from stems to avoid mildew and rot issues.

You may also prune summer blooming shrubs that are cold hardy, but don't prune tender plants yet. Light pruning of trees is also allowed but avoid hard pruning until February. Roses should be lightly pruned and fertilized.

Due to the milder temperatures, it is also a good time to install many plants. There are many chores to do with your perennials as well. Cut them back by one third and divide any that have died out in the center.

Regional To-Do List

• Plant cool season crops
• Harvest onions and garlic once tops have died back. Dry for three weeks and store in a cool, dry location.
• Harvest potatoes once the greens are dead.
• Harvest pears as soon as they easily twist off the tree.
• Aerate sod as needed and apply an early month slow-release food.
• Fertilize citrus trees.
• Fertilize herbs and vegetables.
• Remove spent blooming annuals and save seeds for next year.
• Cut back and divide perennials.
• Lightly prune most winter tolerant trees and shrubs but not fruit trees.
• Pull root vegetables such as carrots.
• Divide ornamental grasses and spring and early summer blooming perennials.
• Cover tomatoes and other tender plants with frost blankets at night.
• Start moving indoor plants that were out to enjoy the summer.

Tips on Southwest Gardening

September in the Southwest is a great time to think about the future. You can start amending soil with compost or manure, which will break down over the winter and leave your soil juicy and rich.

You should check your turf, shrubs, and trees for insect damage. Before leaf drop, use recommended sprays to control insects such as raspberry crown borer, boxelder bugs, and rust mites.

It is also important to keep up watering but adjust the schedule as the weather cools. Reset the irrigation system to reflect the cooler, shorter days.

Since the weather is milder, September gardening tasks are less of a chore and more of a delight.

No matter where you live it’s nice to sit under a leafy tree on a sunny day. Shade trees in the Southwest are especially appreciated though because they bring cooling relief in hot desert summers. If you live in the Southwest, you’ll find many desert shade trees that can work well in your backyard. Read on for information on different shade trees for Southwest landscapes.

About Southwestern Shade Trees

When you are looking for southwestern shade trees, you’ll need to identify trees that can tolerate the long hot summers of your region. Ideally, you’ll want to select easy maintenance trees that have few pest or disease issues and are drought tolerant.

Fortunately, types of shade trees in the Southwest are many and varied. Some provide filtered shade while others offer complete sun blocks, so know what kind of shade you want before you shop.

Desert Trees for Shade

The best selections for shade trees in Southwest gardens are those native to desert areas. A few of these include:

• Blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida): A top choice is this native of the Sonoran Desert in both Arizona and California. The palo verde, with its green trunk and feathery branches, is the iconic tree of the southwestern desert. It requires little water or maintenance once established.
• Texas ebony tree (Ebnopsis ebano): Grows wild in southern Texas. The dark, glossy leaves create shade dense enough to cool your home in summer.
• Desert willow trees (Chilopsis linearis): Native to the arid regions of the southwest, desert willow makes a good desert shade tree and also offers showy blossoms in summer.

Other Shade Trees for Southwest Landscapes

Several species of ash trees also make great shade trees for southwest landscapes. These large deciduous trees provide shade in the summer followed by autumn displays before they lose their leaves in winter.

It won’t surprise you that the Arizona ash (Fraxinus oxycarpa ‘Arizona’) with its small, bright leaves grows well in the Southwest. This ash tree variety can survive drought, alkaline soils, and intense sunshine. They turn golden in the autumn. The ‘Raywood’ ash cultivar (Fraxinus oxycarpa ‘Raywood’) and the ‘Autumn Purple’ cultivar (Fraxinus oxycarpa ‘Autumn Purple’) are both similar, but their leaves turn purple in the fall.

If you are thinking of a smaller tree or large shrub for your backyard, something to provide both a little shade and a lovely look, consider Texas mountain laurel (Callia secundiflora). It is native to the American Southwest, and an evergreen that produces vivid purple blossoms in spring.

There’s no two ways about it, August in the Southwest is scorching hot, hot, hot. It’s time for Southwest gardeners to kick back and enjoy the garden, but there are always a few August gardening tasks that just won’t wait.

Don’t give up on your Southwest garden in August, but always save energy-draining tasks for early morning before the heat of the day. Here is your garden to-do list for August.

August Gardening Tasks in the Southwest

Water cacti and other succulents carefully. You may be tempted to provide extra water when the temperature soars, but keep in mind that desert plants are accustomed to arid conditions and are prone to rot when conditions are too damp.

Pay extra attention to container grown plants, as many will need watering twice daily during late summer. Most trees and shrubs should be watered deeply once every month. Allow a hose to trickle at the dripline, which is the point where water would drip from the outer edges of the branches.

Water plants early in the day, as the sun dries the soil quickly. Continue to feed plants regularly using a water-soluble fertilizer.

Your garden to-do list should include a replacement of mulch that has decomposed or blown away. A layer of mulch will keep the soil cooler and prevent the evaporation of precious moisture.

Deadhead annuals and perennials regularly to promote continued blooming well into the fall months. Continue to keep weeds in check. Remove weeds before they bloom to minimize reseeding next year. Remove annuals that didn’t survive midsummer heat. Replace them with gazania, ageratum, salvia, lantana, or other bright, heat-loving annuals.

August is a good time to prune wayward oleander. If the plants are overgrown and too tall, cut them back to about 12 inches (31 cm.). If growth is woody or leggy, remove about one-third of the stems at the base of the shrub. Provide food and water after pruning.

What to do in summer? Grab a cold drink, find a shady spot, and think about future plans for your Southwest garden. Peruse seed catalogs, read gardening blogs, or visit a local nursery or greenhouse.

If you need to soften a stone wall, cover an unpleasant view, or provide shade in an arbor planting, vines can be the answer. Vines can do any and all of these tasks as well as add vertical interest, color, and fragrance to a backyard.

Vines for Southwest states must be able to grow happily through the dry, hot summers of the region. If you are wondering about Southwest region vines, read on for information.

About Southwestern Vines

Vines are useful and attractive additions to any backyard. Vines in the Southwest can help you beat the heat that comes with the region’s bright sunshine and dry summers. A vine covering an arbor provides quick, attractive shade in patios. Even vines growing near a wall or window can keep the indoor temperature a little lower.

Many vines can be grown successfully in the southwestern United States. Before selecting particular southwestern vines, figure out what your landscape requires and the type of structure to be covered.

Vine species are often divided into categories based on their manner of climbing. These include:

• Twining vines: Tendril climbing vines that wrap slender side shoots around their support.
• Self-climbing vines: Attach themselves to surfaces by means of adhesive discs on rootlets.
• Shrub vines: Clamber over a support and do not have any specialized means of climbing.

Vines for Southwest States

You won’t find just a few vines for Southwestern states. Many species of vines in this region thrive in the heat. If you are looking for twining or tendril-climbing vines with lovely flowers, here are a couple to consider:

• Baja passion vine (Passiflora foetida): This vine has showy flowers and rapid vine growth. It is a heat lover with huge, exotic blossoms, and pale pink with central crown segments of blue and purple. The passion vine covers a 10 foot (3 m.) square wall with flowers from early summer into fall.
• Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens): Carolina jessamine uses twining stems to pull itself up to 15 feet (5 m.) in height. You’ll have the green, glossy foliage year-round with this evergreen beauty, but the fragrant yellow flowers appear only in late winter when there are few other colors.
• Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata 'Tangerine Beauty'): Few vines in the Southwest will outclimb this crossvine. It can climb 30 feet (9 m.) high, pulling itself up using branched tendrils with adhesive pads. Vigorous and fast-growing, this evergreen vine acts fast to cover a fence with attractive foliage and attractive tangerine flowers.
• Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.): If you prefer a clamoring vine that has no specialized means of climbing, bougainvillea is one to consider. It’s a very common vine in the Southwest and never fails to astonish with its spectacular scarlet color. The color doesn’t come from the small flowers but from large showy bracts surrounding the flowers that offer stunning, glowing colors from early summer through fall. To get bougainvillea to cover a structure like a fence, you’ll have to tie up its thorny branches.

Perennials for the southwest have certain requirements that may not factor into planting decisions in other regions. The good news is that gardeners can choose from a huge variety of southwest region perennial flowers. Take a look at this sampling of beautiful perennials for the southwest.

Southwest Region Perennial Flowers

In general, southwestern perennials, especially perennials in the desert, must be tough enough to withstand dry conditions, intense sunlight, and in some cases, extreme heat. Many of the best perennials for the southwest are native to the area, which is always a plus.

Here are some popular plants to try in your southwestern garden:

• Black-eyed Susan: Black-eyed Susan produces bright orange-yellow blooms all summer. There are perennial varieties available.
• Blanket flower: Also known as Gaillardia, it is available in a variety of richly colored, daisy-like flowers. It’s appropriate for nearly every climate, although zone 10 may be too intense for some varieties.
• Yarrow: Yarrow is a dependable, low-maintenance native that blooms all summer in shades of yellow, red, pink, gold, and white.
• Purple coneflower: Echinacea is a rugged, hardy plant recognized by drooping, purple petals and prominent brown cones. Birds love this plant as well.
• Garden verbena: Garden verbena is a clump-forming perennial that produces clusters of small flowers. Purple and red are the original colors, but newer varieties are available in shades of white, magenta, and pink.
• Coreopsis: Also known as tickseed, this is a native prairie plant with cheery, daisy-like blooms in shades of bright yellow, orange, red, and pink.
• Gazania: This is a hardy plant that produces masses of colorful flowers in springtime. Gazania tolerates heat as far south as zone 10.
• Joe Pye weed: A native wildflower that produces mauve to dusty rose blooms from midsummer to fall. Joe pye weed loves sun but also tolerates a fair amount of shade. 
• Red hot poker: Also called torch lily, it is well-known for its spikes of intense red, yellow, and orange.
• Switchgrass: Switchgrass is a versatile native prairie bunchgrass that emerges green in spring, turning pink, silver, or red in summer and then burgundy or gold in autumn.
• Pink muhly grass: A gorgeous native grass that shows off billows of feathery pink or white flowers above spiky green foliage is pink muhly grass.

It's hot out but we still need to manage our gardens, now more than ever. Gardening tasks for the southwest in July are needed regularly to keep plants healthy and hydrated. Gardens in the southwest are blessed with constant warmth but little rainfall and need a little TLC to keep them looking their best.

Gardens in the Southwest

Often referred to as the desert southwest, with searing temperatures and arid conditions, there are many tropical and subtropical plants, as well as edibles, that thrive in the southwest garden. While watering may be the most obvious of tasks, there are several other items to put on your garden to-do list to keep plants blooming, producing, and happy.

If at all possible, you need a watering system. Whether you have an in-ground irrigation plan or a DIY drip system, watering is crucial. Consider buying a timer so watering occurs at night or early morning when the sun's heat doesn't snatch away all the moisture and it can seep into the soil.

Most lawns need one inch (2.5 cm.) per week. Pay special attention to tree watering, especially fruit trees. Spreading mulch is also necessary. Not only will it keep the moisture in the soil, but it cools plant roots, prevents many weed competitors, and will gradually compost into the soil, replenishing and nourishing.

Edible Southwest Garden in July

You should be getting tomatoes and some other crops on the plants by now, but it's also time to plan the fall garden. Many fall plants should be started in July, such as broccoli and cauliflower. You can also plant starts of heat-loving plants, like tomatoes, for another harvest.

Direct seeding of beans, melons, squash, and corn is still possible. Continued care on other food crops is also crucial. Side dress potatoes with well-rotted manure.

Keep up on competitive weeds. Watch for signs of insect damage or disease and treat immediately to avoid permanent damage and crop loss. Use bird netting to cover fruits that may get damaged or eaten.

Southwest Garden To-Do List for July

As in any month, having a list of gardening tasks for the southwest will keep you on track and prevent items from neglect or forgetfulness. The list can be adjusted as needed and new items added when they are discovered. Some basic tasks to start with are:

• Deadhead annuals and perennials to keep them looking their best and promote blooms
• Harvest crops like zucchini frequently and when young
• Fertilize roses and perennials for the last time of the season
• Remove water sprouts from fruit trees
• Divide spent perennials like daylilies
• Plant native plants but keep watering them into fall
• Remove old crowns from strawberry plants
• Start fall crops
• Water and weed

Keeping up on gardening chores guarantees a beautiful garden with happy plants, a crop load of goodies for your family, and prevents plant loss. Tick away at tasks in the morning and evening to prevent heat exhaustion. After that you can kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

When you live in a naturally dry area, thirsty plants take up your time and money. That’s why many gardeners in states like Arizona and New Mexico are not happy with their lush green lawns and are looking for southwestern lawn alternatives.

Landscaping in the Southwest often leaves out fussy water-loving plants in favor of low maintenance, drought-tolerant landscape alternatives. Fortunately, there are many lawn alternatives that work well in these dry areas. Read on for information on Southwest alternatives to grass lawns.

Landscaping in the Southwest

It is a real pleasure to walk barefoot across thick, healthy turf grass but tending that kind of a lawn in the Southwest is no fun at all. Lawns require lots of water, as well as regular maintenance from mowing to pest treatments.

Those landscaping in the Southwest often prefer to replace turf and traditional foundation plantings with less formal yards that look casual and natural. Using native plants and natural landscaping as alternatives in Southwest regions means less irrigation, less work, and more native birds and beneficial bugs.

Lawn Alternatives in Southwest Gardens

When it comes to gardening in the Southwestern regions of the country, xeriscaping just makes sense. This type of landscaping is not limited to rocks and a few cacti. Rather, xeriscaping uses many different and beautiful plants that just happen to be water-wise.

While some desert gardens may retain a little turf grass close to outdoor living areas, others do not and replace the lawn entirely with grass alternatives. In a xeriscape landscape, areas that used to be lawn are often replanted with native ornamental grasses that can survive on whatever rain may fall.

You’ll find not one but many southwestern lawn alternatives in xeriscape designs. Native grasses are one option to replace grass lawns. These tall grasses are allowed to grow in their natural shapes in graceful clumps, requiring little water and even less care.

Other great options include wildflower gardens and cacti and succulent plantings. All are low water alternatives that make excellent choices for drought-tolerant residential landscaping.

Sedges are also making appearances as lawn alternatives in Southwest gardens. Sedges are grass-like plants that are frequently mistaken for grass. However, they are low maintenance and require little care. Native, drought-tolerant sedge species definitely deserve consideration.

• One sedge to consider is meadow sedge (Carex perdentata). This informal grass alternative only reaches 6 inches (15 cm.) in height and is drought tolerant when established. It is evergreen and keeps its color even in winter.
• For alkaline soil, you may prefer clustered field sedge (Carex praegracilis), a low growing California native.
• Another type of sedge to consider is Texas sedge (Carex texensis), a clumping sedge that stays about 4 inches (10 cm.) tall. It prefers shade.
• Berkeley sedge (Carex tumulicola) grows to 2 feet tall (61 cm.) in wet or arid soil, tolerating sun and shade alike.

The unique climate and terrain of the American Southwest is home to several interesting southwestern garden pests and hardy desert plant pests that may not be found in other parts of the country. Take a look below at these pests of the Southwest and learn what you can do to keep them in check.

Pests in Southwest Gardens

Here are some of the more common southwestern garden pests you may come across in this region:

Palo verde beetles

Adult paloverde beetles are huge black or dark brown beetles often measuring more than 3 inches (8 cm.) in length. The larvae, pale greenish yellow with brown heads, are even bigger. Mature beetles lay their eggs in the soil, near the base of trees and shrubs. As soon as the larvae (grubs) hatch, they get to work feeding on the roots of shrubs and trees such as rose, mulberry, olives, citrus, and, of course, palo verde trees.

The grubs can do significant damage in their two to three year lifespan. The adults, which emerge in summer, live only about a month, giving plenty of time to mate and lay eggs. To control this pest, remove adult paloverde beetles by hand. Encourage natural predators. Beneficial nematodes and neem oil may be helpful.

Cactus longhorn beetles

One of the most common desert plant pests, cactus longhorn beetles are shiny, black beetles often seen walking slowly on or near cacti. They measure about an inch (2.5 cm.) in length. Female beetles pierce stems at the base and lay their eggs inside the tissue. Prickly pear cactus and cholla are favored host plants and may die when the beetles burrow into stems and roots.

To control, pick adults off by hand. Encourage birds and other natural predators. Beneficial nematodes and neem oil may be helpful.

Cochineal scale

Although this tiny pest is found around the world, it is native to the Southwest where it feeds primarily (but not solely) on cactus. Scale insects are usually found in clusters on shady, protected parts of the plant. When cochineal scale insects are crushed, they emit a bright red substance called “carmine.” Carmine protects the scale from other pests. The colorful stuff is often used by humans to create a useful dye.

Control with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or systemic insecticides if infestations are severe.

Agave plant bug

Also known as runaround bug, agave plant bug is a small, fast-moving pest that you may see racing to the underside of leaves any time they are disturbed. When it comes to nuisance pests of the Southwest, agave plant bugs are near the top of the list, as a severe infestation can be fatal for agave and other succulents. The pests have voracious appetites and feed by sucking sap from the tender leaves.

Control with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

By the time June arrives, most gardeners in the United States have seen a noticeable rise in temperatures. This is especially true for growers living in the Southwest. Depending upon altitude, June in Southwest gardens can present unique and challenging growing conditions unlike those of many other locations.

Taking a closer look at June gardening tasks and creating a garden to-do list can help southwestern growers keep their crops healthy and productive throughout even the toughest portions of the summer growing season.

What to Do in June

June in Southwest gardens can be challenging. Many tasks for the Southwest region are directly related to irrigation and maintaining a waterwise space. Though some landscapes are xeriscaped, vegetable gardens will require careful attention.

Making good choices regarding the establishment of an irrigation schedule will require knowledge of each type of plant. While citrus and palm trees will require consistent deep watering, other drought tolerant plants may need only minimal care at this time. In fact, excessive irrigation of these plants may cause issues such as root rot.

Proper application of mulch around plants in June can help regulate moisture and decrease the frequency at which watering is needed.

June gardening tasks also include the planting of warm season vegetables and flowers. Growers can continue to plant heat-loving crops, such as tomatoes and peppers. Under potentially harsh growing conditions, it will be essential to remember to protect new plantings and delicate seedlings as they become established. This is also true in the case of any remaining cool season vegetables. Many growers make use of shade cloth to protect plants beginning in June. 

Since many Southwest gardens feature a wide range of citrus, palms, and various shrubs, June is an excellent time to prioritize tree maintenance. June heat is ideal for transplanting or moving palm trees.

Palm pruning can also be done at this time, though you should avoid doing so with fruit trees. Intense heat may cause issues with fruit sunburn in some citrus varieties. Many growers may find that early maturing fruit is also ready to harvest at this time.

Growing fruit in the southwestern United States is tricky. Read on to learn about a few of the best trees for growing in a Southwest fruit orchard.

Selecting Fruit Trees for Southwestern States

The southwestern states encompass plateaus, mountains, and canyons with vast variations in USDA growing zones ranging from chilly zone 4 to warm, arid deserts with summer highs well above 100 F. (38 C.).

In the warm areas of the Southwest, cherries and many other types of fruit trees have a difficult time because they require a winter chilling period of 400 hours or more, with temperatures between 32-45 F. (0-7 C.).

Chilling requirement is a major consideration when selecting fruit trees for southwestern states. Look for varieties with requirements of 400 hours or less where winters are warm and mild.

Southwest Fruit Trees

Apples can be grown in this region. The following types are good choices:

• Ein Shemer is a sweet, yellow apple ready for picking in early summer. With a chilling requirement of only 100 hours, Ein Shemer is a good choice for low desert regions.
• Dorsett Golden is a popular apple with firm, white flesh and bright yellow skin blushed with pinkish-red. Dorsett Golden requires less than 100 chilling hours.
• Anna is a heavy producer that provides huge harvests of sweet apples. The chilling requirement is 300 hours.

Good choices for peach trees in the southwestern states include:

• Eva’s Pride produces yellow freestone peaches that ripen in late spring. This flavorful peach has a low chilling requirement of 100 to 200 hours.
• Flordagrande requires only 100 chill hours or less. This excellent semi-freestone peach has yellow flesh with a hint of red at maturity.
• Red baron needs 200 to 300 chilling hours, is a popular fruit in California, Arizona, and Texas. This beautiful tree produces double red blooms and juicy, freestone peaches.

If you’re hoping to grow some cherries, suitable candidates are:

• Royal Lee is one of the few cherry trees suitable for desert climates, with a chilling requirement of 200 to 300 hours. This is a medium-sized sweet cherry with a crunchy, firm texture.
• Minnie Royal, a companion to Royal Lee, is a sweet cherry that ripens in late spring or early summer. Chilling requirement is estimated at 200 to 300 hours, although some report that it can get by with considerably less.

Apricots for the Southwest region include:

• Gold Kist is one of the few apricots with a low chilling requirement of 300 hours. The trees bear a generous harvest of sweet freestone fruit.
• Modesto is often grown commercially in southwest fruit orchards. Chill requirement is 300 to 400 hours.

Plums are always a favorite and some good varieties to look for in the southwestern part of the country are:

• Gulf Gold is one of several plum cultivars that do well in warm desert climates. Chilling requirement is 200 hours.
• Santa Rosa, valued for its sweet, tangy flavor, is one of the most popular fruit trees for southwestern states. Chilling requirement is 300 hours.

Sharing similar needs as apples, pear trees for this region can include:

• Kieffer is a dependable, heat-tolerant choice for southwest fruit orchards. Although most pear trees have a high chill requirement, Keiffer does fine with about 350 hours.
• Shinseiki is a type of Asian pear, needs 350 to 400 chilling hours. This vigorous tree produces juicy, refreshing apples with an apple-like crispness.

While perennial flowering plants become old friends, annual flowers redecorate your garden each year with new shapes, colors, and fragrances. If you are looking for annual flowers for southwestern parts of the country, you will find more than a few to try.

Annual plants in the southwest have to do well in hot and dry desert climates. If you are ready to start growing desert annuals, read on for some of our favorites.

About Southwestern Annuals

Annual plants live and die in a single growing season. Southwestern annuals grow in spring, reach maturity and flower in summer, then set seeds and die in fall.

While they don’t last for years as perennials do, annual plants fill your yard with eye-catching color. They are easy to plant since they are usually sold in cell packs, flats, or individual pots. Pick out specimens that seem compact, have healthy green foliage, and appear to be free of insect or disease issues.

Annual Plants in the Southwest

When you are growing desert annuals, you’ll find different plants for different seasons. Winter annuals are planted in the fall. These are cooler weather plants that will do just fine through the winter but die back in spring. Plant summer annuals in spring and enjoy them through summer and fall.

Quite a few winter plants work well as annual flowers for southwest regions. A few of our favorites include:

• Lobelia
• Annual geraniums
• Alyssum
• Pansy
• Petunias
• Snapdragons
• Blue salvia

Summer Annual Flowers for Southwest Gardens

You might think it would be harder to find summer annual flowers for southwest gardens, but it isn’t. Many annuals enjoy the hot, dry conditions of desert gardens.

When you are growing desert annuals for summer gardens, remember to wait until all possible spring frosts have passed before putting them in the ground. You could try any of these listed beautiful blossoms: 

• Cosmos
• Zinnia
• Portulaca
• Gazania
• Golden fleece
• Vinca
• Lisianthus

If you need transition plants to grow and bloom between winter and summer annuals in southwest regions, plant poppies, marigolds, or gerbera. In the veggie garden, kale will also carry you right through.

April garden maintenance in the Southwest varies widely depending on elevation, microclimates, and other factors. Gardeners in lower elevations are enjoying warm, sunny, and dry days but frosty mornings (and possibly even snow) are still likely at higher elevations.

Either way, taking care of April gardening tasks will make your life easier as summer progresses and temperatures rise. Take a look at our Southwest garden guide for April, then check tasks off your gardening to-do list.

April Gardening Tasks in The Southwest

• Prune trees and shrubs to remove broken or damaged limbs. Also, remove limbs crossing or rubbing other limbs. At low elevations it’s safe to plant tender annuals. Wait two to four weeks in higher elevations, or until all danger of frost has passed.
• Gardeners in lower elevations can also plant vegetables such as squash, beans, peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, and cucumbers. In higher elevations, wait until the soil temperature reaches 60 degrees F. (15 C.).
• Apply a 3-inch (7.5 cm.) layer of fresh mulch such as compost or shredded bark. Replenish mulch that has blown away.
• Feed perennials and roses at two week intervals. April gardening tasks should include fertilization of trees and shrubs. Spring is also a good time to plant new roses.
• As temperatures rise, increase irrigation accordingly. Deep watering is nearly always better than shallow, frequent watering. Potted plants may need water every day (or even twice) during hot weather.
• Thin apples, plums, and other deciduous fruits after fruit set to a spacing of about 6 inches (15 cm.). April gardening tasks like this will pay off with larger fruit at harvest time.
• Check plants for aphids, spider mites, and other sap sucking pests. You may be able to knock them off with a strong blast of water. Otherwise, get rid of pests with insecticidal soap spray. If you’re spraying fruits, vegetables, or herbs use a commercial product formulated for edibles. Be careful not to spray plants with insecticidal soap during the heat of the day or when the sun is directly on the plants, as the spray may cause leaf burn.

Don’t forget to add Arbor Day, the last Friday of April, to your gardening to-do list. For instance, plant a tree, go on a nature hike, or volunteer to help clean up a public park or highway.

Coniferous trees are evergreens like pine, fir, juniper, and cedar. They are trees that bear seeds in cones and do not have true flowers. Conifers are wonderful additions to a landscape since they retain foliage all year long.

If you live in the southwestern section of the country, you’ll find a large selection of conifers to choose from. There are even conifer plants for desert areas.

Read on for more information about these southwestern conifers.

Choosing Conifers for the Southwest

Conifers can be beautiful specimen trees for landscape planting, but they also serve well in groups as privacy screens or windbreaks. It’s important to take care when selecting conifers for the backyard to ensure the mature size of the tree fits in the site you have in mind. As conifer needles can be highly flammable, you may not want one too close to your home either.

Climate is another consideration. While many conifer trees thrive in cool areas of the country, there are also conifer trees in desert regions. If you live in the hot, dry areas of the Southwest, you’ll want to select coniferous plants for deserts or those that thrive in hot, dry climates.

Popular Southwestern Conifers

Arizona, Utah, and neighboring states are known for their hot, dry summers but that doesn’t mean that you won’t find conifers. Pine trees (Pinus spp.) are a good example since you can find both native and non-native pine trees that grow here.

In fact, of the 115 species of pine, at least 20 can thrive in southwestern climates. Pines that are native to the area include limber pine (Pinus flexilis), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), and southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis).

Two relatively small pines that work well as southwestern conifers include Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergiana) and pinyon pine (Pinus edulis). Both grow very slowly and top out at 20 feet (6 m.).

Other coniferous plants for desert areas include juniper, spruce, and fir. It is often safest to plant evergreen species that are native to the region, as non-native conifers may require a lot of irrigation and be picky about soil.

Juniper species that are native to this region include common juniper (Juniperus communis), a tough, drought tolerant native shrub, and Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), a small tree with blue-green foliage.

If you prefer spruce, there are a few that are native southwestern conifers. The most common is Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), but you could also try blue spruce (Picea pungens).

Other coniferous trees in desert regions include fir. Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), and white fir (Abies concolor) are native southwestern conifers that grow in mixed conifer forests in that region.