Category: Plant Selection
Our Terrible, Awful, Horrible, Stupid, Nutrient-Deficient Soil
I’ve mentioned this before but I think it bears repeating that our soil quality is about as bad as soil quality can get. Frankly, using the words ‘Las Vegas soil’ and ‘quality’ in the same sentence is a little ridiculous. There’s nothing quality about the barren mix of rocks and …
Flowering Plants for Shady Spots in Vegas
Got a spot that doesn’t get much sun where nothing seems to bloom? You might be surprised by what will actually work in some shade here in Vegas. Remember, a little bit of our sun can go a very long way so sometimes just a couple of hours of direct …
Dying Young: A Plant’s Tale
It’s a story for the ages, really. Your first glimpse of a beauty so striking it takes your breath away and you think to yourself, ‘Yes, that right there! I must see that beauty again and again forever! I’ll never grow tired of gazing at such exquisite exquisiteness! Never, I …
How to Plant a Tree So It Will Actually Live
Here’s the thing. Life as a tree in Las Vegas is already pretty stressful. It’s absurdly hot and then it’s cold and the soil’s about as nutritious as a box of chocolate donuts but minus the delicious taste. You couldn’t pay me enough personally to stand out there in the …
Radical Regenerative Pruning on Texas Sage in Las Vegas
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 …
Native Mojave Desert Plants Profile Project: Velcro Plant (Eucnide urens)
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 …
Great Groundcovers for Full Sun in Las Vegas
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 …
Winter Flowers For Shade
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 …
Winter Flowers For Full Sun
Looking for some cheery winter flowers for a spot that gets full sun? These flowers will give you beautiful blooms throughout the winter months! Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) Standard varieties grow 12”- 18” H Dwarf varieties grow 6” – 8” H If you want long-lasting color for the Vegas climate, go for …