Southwest Gardener

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.

05/24/2026

The merciless heat and aridity of June make it the hardest month on plants, and the most challenging for desert gardeners. Discover what you should and shouldn’t do in the garden this month, how to water, pests to watch out for, and more.

Hot, dry June in the desert southwest is the hardest month on plants. Here’s what tasks to do, which to skip, what you can plant, pests to expect, and more.

05/22/2026

If you’re looking to add more native plants to your southwest garden, but aren’t sure what plants to include, here’s a list of over 120 native plants that make attractive, low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly landscape plants.

Looking to add more native plants to your desert garden? These plants make attractive, low maintenance, wildlife-friendly additions to desert gardens.

05/22/2026

Mexican sunflower is a large, shrub-like annual with eye-popping, red-orange flowers that pollinators can’t resist. It’s easy to grow from seed and makes a delightful addition to desert gardens.

Mexican Sunflower: Vibrant Summer Annual by Deane Alban Mexican sunflower is a large, shrub-like annual with eye-popping, red-orange flowers that pollinators can’t resist. It’s easy to grow from seed and makes a delightful addition to desert gardens. Here’s everything you need to know about gr...

05/15/2026

Looking for a sturdy yet manageable garden hose? Stainless steel hoses are nearly indestructible. They withstand intense heat and sun. You can drag them across gravel or impale them on a cactus, and they still hold up. I wouldn't use anything else!

Looking for a sturdy yet manageable garden hose? Stainless steel hoses are nearly indestructible. They withstand intense heat & sun, gravel, and cactus.