Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Photo by : Mary Sisco / Shutterstock
Living in a dry desert climate does n’t intend you ca n’t have a beautiful landscape . While desert landscape do n’t have the lush green appearance of a woodland garden , they have a pleasing visual appeal of their own . Many desert plants have interesting leafage , flush , texture , social system , and multi - seasonal involvement , traits that combine to make a fascinate landscape .
Desert growing surround are harsh and unforgiving , with hot temperatures , scarce water , and thin , rocky soil . Native plants have evolved to defy these conditions , postulate little rainfall or alimentation to go .
Cacti and succulent have adapted with the ability to salt away water in their farewell , stems , and root . Some plants such as mesquite , creosote bush , and yucca have deep root systems that burrow into the soil in hunt of urine .
Other adaptations include a waxy foliage coating , little leaves , spines , or thorns to scale down pee deprivation through transpiration ; silver-tongued colored foliage to reflect the sun ; and long astute leaves that trap moisture from rainstorm .
By incorporating a commixture of plant types including trees , shrubs , cacti , succulent , and perennials , you may make an engaging desert garden that is drouth tolerant and low alimony . Here are some of the best desert landscape plant to grow .
Read more : Desert landscape gardening : Transform Your Yard with Natural Beauty
PLANTS FOR DESERT LANDSCAPES
Photo : Bowonpat Sakaew / Shutterstock
AGAVE (Agavespp.)
Zones:5 - 11Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright or mound spiky habitHeight / Spread:1 to 20 foot tall , 1 to 10 animal foot wide , depending on the varietyBloom prison term : Varies ; most bloom just once before pass away
Agave is a succulent with sloshed pointy leaves and a symmetrical spiky use that lend architectural pastime to the landscape . There are more than 250 species in a broad range of sizes and foliage colour including green , gray , blue , and variegated . Use as a focal point in a container , in beds or strip , or massed in the landscape . Learn agave plants .
Photo : Keith VanDusen / Shutterstock
ALOE (Aloespp.)
Zones:7 - 12 , depending on the varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : Upright or mound spiky habitHeight / Spread:6 inches to 30 ft tall , 6 inch to 20 feet wideBloom metre : twelvemonth - rung , depending on the variety
Native to warmer part across the globe , Aloeare evergreen succulent with spiky fleshy leaves . There are 650 mintage in a broad kitchen stove of sizes and people of colour , from tree forms to miniature specimens . Plants produce torch - like flowers , most often in winter . Add structure and coloration to containers and beds , or use as a focal item in the landscape painting . Aloecan also be grow as a houseplant . Learn aloe .
photograph : Gill Copeland / Shutterstock
BOUGAINVILLEA (Bougainvilleaspp.)
Zones:9 - 11Exposure : Full sunHabit : Vining spreading habitHeight / Spread:3 to 30 understructure tall and wideBloom time : Summer , with nearly year - round bloom in warmer climates
Bougainvilleais one of the most common desert bush , grow for the brilliant flower bracts that fall out in subtlety of pinkish , violent , magenta , orangish , and white . With nearly year - round colour in warm climates , this various vining shrub can be coach on treillage , allowed to straggle as a ground cover , or to spill over wall . Bougainvilleacan also be grown in containers and overwintered indoors in colder climate . Learn bougainvillea .
Photo : Alybaba / Shutterstock
CALIFORNIA POPPY (Eschscholzia californica)
Zones:6 - 10Exposure : Full sunHabit : Mounding habitHeight / Spread:12 to 18 inches tall and wideBloom time : Spring to summertime
California poppy raise ferny leafage and cup - shape flowers in hue of orange , yellow , lily-white , pink , or purple . Native to the U.S. and Mexico , this short - live perennial is most often grown as an annual , and may reseed from year to year . Naturalize in a rock garden , xeriscape , curbside planting , or along a side .
El Nino ™ Desert Orchid . Photo : Proven Winners
EL NINO™ DESERT ORCHID (Chitalpahybrid)
Zones:6 - 9Exposure : Full to fond sunHabit : Bushy disperse habitHeight / Spread:5 to 8 substructure magniloquent , 4 to 6 feet wideBloom time : summertime
Chitalpais a hybrid cross betweenChilopsis(desert willow tree ) andCatalpa , which are both aboriginal to North America . Clusters of fragrant pinkish prime similar to orchid or snapdragons come along from late spring to early summertime , with sporadic rebloom . Grow this well-situated - care shrub in bottom , borders , or container .
fancy : El Nino ™ Desert Orchidfrom Proven Winners .
" This gorgeous plant grew really well in a container for us . We both sleep with its beautiful , frilly efflorescence and its progress of prime blooming from bottom to top . The pollinator loved it too ! " — Sean & Allison , Spoken Garden
Photo : U. Eisenlohr / Shutterstock
CREOSOTE BUSH (Larrea tridentata)
Zones:7 - 11Exposure : Full Dominicus to partial shadeHabit : Upright shaggy-haired habitHeight / Spread:4 to 8 feet tall and wideBloom time : Year - round
Creosote bush is an evergreen plant shrub with small light-green foliage and promising yellow bloom that are followed by white fluffy cum heads . aboriginal to the Sonoran Desert , Mojave Desert , and Chihuahuan Desert , this tough plant life is liberal of heat , drought , and poor soils . The open graceful habit is useful as a background signal element in a mixed border or xeriscape .
Center Stage ® Pink crape Vinca minor . photograph : Proven winner
CENTER STAGE® PINK CRAPE MYRTLE (Lagerstroemia indica)
Zones:6 - 10Exposure : Full sunHabit : vertical bushy habitHeight / Spread:6 to 12 feet tall , 8 feet wideBloom time : summertime
Center degree ® crape myrtle is a deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shrub with dark burgundy - disastrous leaf that provides a stunning backcloth to the hot pink blossom . The small stature is suitable for minuscule urban lots and container . Use as an attractive focal point in time or in aggregative plantings . pick up crepe Vinca minor .
fancy : Center Stage ® Pink crepe myrtlefrom Proven Winners .
exposure : Proven Winners
DESERT MARIGOLD (Baileya multiradiata)
Zones:7 - 10Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 2 feet marvelous , 2 to 3 feet wideBloom time : Spring to accrue
This annual , biennial , or short - go perennial produce silvery - green leafage and cheerful yellow blossom that resemble marigolds . Plants bloom over an exceptionally long period , from recent bounce to hang . employ this Southwest native wildflower as a filler plant in careen gardens , beds , and curbside strip show .
Chicklet ® Orange esperanza . Photo : Proven Winners
CHICKLET® ORANGE ESPERANZA (Tecomahybrid)
Zones:8 - 11Exposure : Full sunHabit : Compact shaggy-coated habitHeight / Spread:3 to 6 feet tall , 2 to 4 groundwork wideBloom fourth dimension : Summer
This deciduous shrub produces deep lobed leaf and clusters of orange trump - form bloom that are appeal to butterfly and hummingbirds . The compact size is suitable for diminished blank space and containers . Use as an attractive focal point or in a mixed border . discover esperanza plants .
project : Chicklet ® Orange esperanzafrom Proven Winners .
Estrellita Little Star ® firecracker bush . exposure : Proven Winners
ESTRELLITA LITTLE STAR® FIRECRACKER BUSH (Bouvardiahybrid)
Zones:8 - 10Exposure : Full to fond sunHabit : Compact shaggy habitHeight / Spread:18 to 24 column inch tall and wideBloom prison term : Summer
Showy clustering of trumpet - shaped flowers occur in warm tropic hues of crimson , orangish , and hot pink . A favorite of hummingbird , this long - blooming deciduous shrub has a compact riding habit that is various in container , mass planting , repeated , and shrub border . Learn bouvardia plant .
picture : Estrellita Little Star ® firecracker bushfrom Proven Winners .
Juiced ™ Orange Jessamine . Photo : Proven Winners
JUICED™ ORANGE JESSAMINE (Cestrum corymbosum)
Zones:7 - 10Exposure : Full to partial sunHabit : Upright shaggy-coated habitHeight / Spread:4 to 5 feet tall , 3 to 4 human foot wideBloom time : fountain to summer
Clusters of creamy orangish tubular flowers are a attractive feature for hummingbirds and butterflies . This long blooming evergreen bush , which is patient of of rut and drouth , add color and fragrance to foundation plantings , border , and container .
Pictured : Juiced ™ Orange Jessaminefrom Proven Winners .
Photo : Koytun Hydrobio / Shutterstock
JOSHUA TREE (Yucca brevifolia)
Zones:6 - 10Exposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano branching habitHeight / Spread:15 to 30 fundament marvellous and wideBloom time : Spring
Joshua tree is an iconic works aboriginal to the Mohave Desert and other role of the southwest U.S. This slow - growing evergreen plant succulent has a stout tree diagram - like luggage compartment , open fork , and spiky fleeceable leaves at the baksheesh . The unique architectural bodily structure makes a compelling focal point in time in the landscape painting .
Luscious ® Citrus Blend ™ lantana . Photo : Proven winner
LANTANA (Lantanaspp.)
Zones:9 - 11 , also develop as an annualExposure : Full sunHabit : Upright , bushy , spreading , or earth book binding habitHeight / Spread:2 to 6 feet tall , 3 to 10 fundament wideBloom metre : tardy spring through frost , or nearly year - cycle in warmer climates
This shaggy-haired evergreen plant shrub is grown for the tropical - hue flower clusters that are a attractive feature for hummingbirds , butterflies , and other insect pollinators . flower nearly year - round in milder climate , this verbena relative is commonly raise as an annual or winter indoors in milder climates . Grow in a container , base planting , as hedge or a groundcover , or massed in the landscape . find out lantana .
picture : Luscious ® Citrus Blend ™ lantanafrom Proven Winners .
Prairie Winds ® ' Blue Paradise ' little blue stem . Photo : Proven Winners
LITTLE BLUESTEM (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunHabit : vertical habitHeight / Spread:2 to 4 animal foot tall , 1 to 2 feet wideBloom time : Late summertime to pass
Little bluestem is an ornamental eatage native to North American prairie . The delicately textured blueish - dark-green foliage turns tawny brown , with airy seed heads that appear in late summertime . This carefree perennial adds refined movement and multi - seasonal interest to mixed borders , meadow garden , and mass planting . Learn little bluestem .
visualize : Prairie Winds ® ' Blue Paradise ' small bluestemfrom Proven Winners .
photograph : Jared Quentin / Shutterstock
MESQUITE (Prosopisspp.)
Zones:7 - 11Exposure : Full sunHabit : just shaggy-haired habitHeight / Spread:8 to 50 feet marvellous , 8 to 30 foot wideBloom time : Spring to summertime
This shrubby deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is native to dry regions of the southwestern U.S. The thorny branches bring about ferny foliage and feeding bottle brush flowers that are followed by dangling pea plant - like seedcase . plant are well - adjust to dry climate with a mysterious taproot system . employ as a background chemical element to add grain to the landscape .
Photo : Asharkyu / Shutterstock
MEXICAN BIRD OF PARADISE (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
Zones:9 - 11Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright shaggy-haired habitHeight / Spread:10 to 12 feet tall , 6 to 20 feet wideBloom fourth dimension : summertime to lessen
Mexican bird of paradise is an evergreen plant shrub or minor Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that bring forth barbed foliation and clustering of orange - red flowers . The showy blooms , which are peculiarly attractive to butterfly and hummingbird , are followed by curly ejaculate pod . Its smaller height is suitable for minor urban lots . practice as a background element or focal point in the landscape . ( It is toxic to dogs and CAT . )
exposure : Cheri Alguire / Shutterstock
OCOTILLO (Fouquieria splendens)
Zones:8 - 11Exposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano habitHeight / Spread:8 to 20 feet improbable , 5 to 10 foot wideBloom clip : fountain
Ocotillo is a shrubby succulent aboriginal to the southwesterly U.S. Plants have an refined vase - influence riding habit , with long stem that issue from the base . Ocotillo survives prolonged dry spells by shedding its small fleshy green leaves and go dormant . Bright red flowers that appear in spring are highly attractive to hummingbird and butterflies . enjoyment as a morphological component or focal compass point in the landscape painting .
Austin Pretty Limits ® Nerium oleander . Photo : Proven achiever
OLEANDER (Nerium oleander)
Zones:8 - 11Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:4 ot 20 feet tall , 3 to 15 feet wideBloom time : Year - round , with peak bloom during tender months
A wide used landscape painting bush in ardent climates , Oleanderis grown for its long - blooming superstar - mold bloom and bad carefree nature . This Mediterranean native can be grown in home landscape , but care must be submit due to its perniciousness . habituate in a groundwork planting , waterwise strip , or mass along a incline to stem eroding . take oleander bush .
Pictured : Austin Pretty Limits ® oleanderfrom Proven Winners .
Photo : LHBLLC / Shutterstock
ORGAN PIPE CACTUS (Stenocereus thurberi)
Zones:9 - 11Exposure : Full sunHabit : unsloped columnar habitHeight / Spread:15 to 20 feet tall , 10 to 12 feet wideBloom time : natural spring to summer
Organ pipe cactus , which is native to the desert Southwest , produces 5 to 20 trunks that issue from the base . The grey-headed - green stems with erect ribs and brown spine resemble organ organ pipe . Nox blossom snowy flower are observe by eatable fruits . The distinctive structure makes a stunning focal point in a rock garden or xeriscape .
picture : Page Light Studios / Shutterstock
PENCIL CACTUS (Euphorbia tirucalli)
Zones:11 - 12Exposure : Full sunHabit : upright piano ramify habitHeight / Spread:20 to 30 feet grandiloquent , 6 to 10 foot wideBloom time : springiness to summer
Also bonk as fire sticks , this evergreen succulent shrub produces pencil - like stems on branching plants that resemble sea coral . aboriginal to southerly Africa and Indonesia , the green branches may acquire quick chromaticity of red , yellow , and coral at the tips , hence the name fire sticks . The modeled show append erect interest group to xeriscapes , rock and roll garden , and container .
exposure : Atiger / Shutterstock
PINK MUHLY GRASS (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Zones:6 - 9Exposure : Full sunlight to partial shadeHabit : Upright mounding habitHeight / Spread:2 to 3 feet tall and wideBloom time : Late summer to fall
aboriginal to the eastern U.S. , this warm - time of year ornamental smoke is grown for the pink germ promontory that form a billowy cotton fiber candy effect . The germ direct evanesce to tan for long - lasting winter pastime . Mass in a dry delimitation or native garden to contribute heading of soft texture , movement , and color .
Photo : Halitomer / Shutterstock
PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS (Opuntiaspp.)
Zones:4 - 11Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright , diffuse habitHeight / Spread:1 to 15 feet tall and full , count on the varietyBloom metre : summertime
Globe - work prime , which are really colored leafage bract , bloom over a long period of time to support a broad mountain chain of bees and butterfly , let in captain . see prickly pear cactus .
Photo : Jack N. Mohr / Shutterstock
ROCK PURSLANE (Calandrinia grandiflorasyn.Cistanthe grandiflora)
Zones:9 - 11Exposure : Full sunshine to partial shadeHabit : Upright spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 3 human foot improbable , 2 to 3 feet wideBloom meter : leaping to lessen
aboriginal to Chile , rock purslane is a perennial succulent with overweight gray-headed - immature leave and loving cup - shaped magenta flowers that grow on prospicient thin stem turn above the foliage . Flowers flower over an exceptionally long time , from spring to fall down . Mass as a ground top along a foundation , at the front of a boundary line , or as border .
Photo by : Thosabhorn / Shutterstock .
TEXAS SAGE (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Zones:8 - 10Exposure : Full sunHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:5 to 8 feet marvellous , 4 to 6 feet wideBloom time : Summer to hang
This evergreen bush , native to Texas , is a rough-cut landscape painting plant grow for the mild silvery foliage and tubular rose - purple blossom , which typically appear after it rain . Use as a background factor in beds and margin , in creation plantings , as hedging or screening .
Color Guard yucca . Photo : Proven Winners
YUCCA (Yuccaspp.)
Zones:4 - 11 , depend on the varietyExposure : Full sunHabit : Upright spiky habitHeight / Spread:2 to 30 invertebrate foot tall , 2 to 25 feet wideBloom time : Spring to summer
Also know as Spanish bayonet , yucca is a diverse group of perennial trees and shrubs native to the Americas and Caribbean region . This succulent forms harmonious rosettes of fishgig - mold green , gray or variegated leaf , producing showy white flower spikes in spring or summer . Use as a focal point in container , rock candy gardens and bed , or mass in the landscape . Learn yucca plants .
fancy : Color Guard yuccafrom Proven Winners .
