Desert Garden Questions

T

Tackdriver

New member
Hey fellas.
I just had my palm tree fall down. I know why I think, this particular tree had a trunk that was narrower at the bottom than at the top. Also it started growing out of the ground at an angle, and....today it went [beeep] over teakettle.

I propped it up with a 2x4 for now. Is there any way to salvage it?

Also, Im wanting "something" for the back yard.

The ideal plant is...

Phoenix, AZ temperature tolerant
Minimum maintenance
ground cover or grass
self propogates
Perenial (I know I blew the spelling on that one /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif )
Grows in shade, not full sun.

What is it?

Thanks so much!
 
Cactus? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I don't think the plants here in Montana would do very well there. So, can't help you but will be interested in the replies. I like to plant things.
 
Actually Crapshoot (accidentally /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif) hit the nail on the head for trees. Mesquite, Manzanita, and Tamarisk (creosote) all make good looking trees if you prune them that way (keep the lower branches cut off) and with minimal watering you'd hardly recognize them as the scraggly bushes you see in the desert. The Tamarisk will get very large (60-70') with watering (and messy like a weeping willow).

For ground cover there are a number of good choices. I like Saltillo Evening Primrose. Nice yellow flowers summer through fall that attract hummingbirds.

SaltilloEveningPrimrose.jpg


The Ground Morning Glory is another good ground cover that blooms fall through spring.

groundmorningglory.jpg


Not ground cover, but one of my favorites is Ocotillo. One of the prettiest cactus in the natural state IMHO, it really shines with a little watering.

ocotillo.jpg


Here's a close up of the Ocotillo blooms.

ocotilloblooms.jpg


All the above are good looking, cheap, and easy to care for. I just had research this stuff, the ground cover at least, for the landscaping on our new house in Maricopa. Everybody wants a Suguaro but man can they get pricey.
 


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