A blog about gardening in Las Vegas
Creosote (Larrea tridentata) is easily one of the most ubiquitous plants in the Mojave desert and I think that might ultimately be what makes it so endlessly fascinating. There’s a pretty short list of plants on this planet that can not only tolerate brutal temperature changes and near-barren soil …
Okay, early apologies because I’m honestly getting a little cranky so I’m about to go on a minor rant here. It’s just that the problems I’m going to call out are all so totally avoidable that it makes me crazy when I keep seeing them over and over and over …
If you’re inclined to notice these sort of these things and possibly even if you’re not, the earliest of the spring wildflowers in Vegas have probably started to catch your eye over the past week or two. Pretty much without fail, the first flowers you’re likely to see are the …
Xeriscaping doesn’t usually mean no water and it certainly doesn’t mean all cactus. While I’d never want to discourage someone who aspired to plant a garden that required no supplemental water, I would want them to know they’ve got their work cut out for them. Even the majority of plants that …
We’ve all seen them, those little purple boxes and balls that line the streets and sidewalks of our valley. You may know them as Texas sage or Texas Rangers and a surprising number of folks seem to be operating under the assumption that they actually grow that way naturally. They …
In the interest of proving to you that I’m not looking at the plant world through rose-colored glasses, I decided to feature a Mojave Desert native plant that I absolutely detest. It is a complete and utter jerk that should be given dirty looks and a wide swath any time …
In response to a request by a very patient reader in the comments section awhile back, I’m finally putting together a list of nice little groundcovers for full sun in Las Vegas. And by full sun I mean full freakin’ sun, guys. Think high-noon-on-the-Fourth-of-July-and-planted-in-decorative-rock full sun. Some stay green and …
Do you fully appreciate the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert? I only ask because I don’t think I really do. I’ve traveled around a little bit and seen some really pretty places, but the desert is so much more than pretty to my eyes. It’s more sort of magnificent if …
A tribute to one very special Joshua Tree Is any other symbol of the Mojave Desert as instantly recognizable as the Joshua tree? They’re arguably one of the most otherworldly elements of a landscape that’s actually played other planets in the movies. And that, combined with the fact that they …
Got a shady spot where nothing seems to bloom? Try these winter flowers for bright color in areas that don’t get a lot of sunlight. Zonal Geraniums (Pelargonium hortorum) 2’- 3’ high and wide You simply can’t go wrong with zonal geraniums in Vegas. Put them in a …