If you live in a dry and arid climate, like we have here in Gilbert Arizona, then your landscaping is going to take a little more planning than some other parts of the country. Desert landscaping will have to work with a plan that includes only plants and trees that can survive with much less water than some other plants. Take some time with your desert landscaping plan and make sure that you have done everything suited to our climate. A professional landscape contractor and designer, like Dream Retreats, can help.

In the hot and dry Arizona desert, landscaping takes on an entirely different significance than in other regions. As water is so precious here in the East Valley, conservation is a major concern of both home owners and city officials. But desert home owners don’t have to sacrifice beauty because of water conservation. Dry landscaping is an excellent way to make a landscape unusual and eye-catching, while reducing and using minimum water resources.

To start with you will need to do some planning. Because the land is not the best and the climate may be difficult, (try 115 degrees in the summer) it does need a little bit of thought. You need to have some idea on what look you want to achieve too and then see if it is at all possible to achieve this. Check out our online landscape gallery to get some ideas.

Cacti are the most popular and versatile plant in desert landscaping. When shopping for cacti for your desert landscaping you will find a large variety, both in size, shapes and colors. You will be surprised when you learn that there are cacti several feet tall and others small as a couple of inches. Flowers are not uncommon in cacti, and the variety is also large, though they don’t bloom for a long time. One exception is the prickly pear, named after its fruit. This cactus produces a beautiful yellow flower in summertime.

Cacti grow in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Its flowers are large, similar to branches and spines that arise from areoles. Most of the varieties are night bloomers. This is since they are generally pollinated by nocturnal small animals or insects like bats and moths. Their varieties range from tall and columnar to small and globular. Cacti often grow as shrubs, trees or a type of ground cover.

The following is a list of some other desert landscape plants that can add color and fragrance to your backyard landscape design.

In Mexico and Central America the Agave Americana (century plant) is used as fencing on farms. Because of their sharp spines and margins they keep cattle in and people and predators out. The plant, used as an ornamental, makes a beautiful addition to any rock or cactus garden. The century plant can be grown in a container, however it’s size will be much smaller than if it were grown in the ground.

Longwood Blue (bluebeard) is a shrub, it is deciduous and it will grow back each and every spring. It will always come back healthy and happy and this makes it perfect for desert landscaping. It is not a tiny shrub, it will grow to be anywhere between 3 and 4 feet high with a width of about 2 feet, perfect along a back fence. This is a lovely plant to use in your desert landscaping as it is not only beautiful with its pretty blue flower clusters and silver foliage, it is also very fragrant.

Another desert plant is Autumn Joy. It is a wonderful perennial that you can plant for your desert landscaping. With this choice you will have great leaves in pretty whorls. These leaves can be any number of different colors and will go with any desert landscaping design. This plant is the ultimate for desert landscaping because it can grow in rock gardens with ease. This desert landscaping plant also has a unique and interesting flower. These small flowers grow in clusters and they can be a few different colors and shades. The most common are yellow, orange and red and pink. Having these flowers in your garden will provide a haven for butterflies.

Of course, you also plant other type of desert plants such as aloes, periwinkles and several types of heathers. We can help you decide which plants to add to your desert landscaping project.

Drought-resistant plants compliment dry rock landscaping extremely well. These native southwestern plants are generally sun-loving and water-wise. Careful research will reveal low maintenance and low water use plants perfect for this type of landscape. Many of the cactus varieties are good choices, as are juniper, lamb’s ear, and other perennial plants that can withstand year after year with little water.

So, if you have a desert landscape that needs something done with it, give your local Gilbert landscape contractor a call and let us help you unleash your own creativity to make a backyard landscape that beats the heat and looks beautiful at the same time.

Article from: Desert Landscaping