The southwestern United States offers unique gardening opportunities, especially as many regions are arid, dry, or desert-like. Water conservation using native or drought-resistant plants is critical to creating a beautiful garden that can withstand the elements. This article will provide a review of some of the best plants for gardening in the Southwest, their special requirements, and best practices for selecting and tending plants that are suited to the region.
Many of the plants used for gardening come from other regions of the world or are hybrid plants that are meant to withstand extreme conditions.”
In the Southwest, it’s important to select drought-resistant plants that can withstand extreme temperatures, little rainfall, and long periods without water. These plants also need to be able to cope with strong winds, sandy or loamy soils, and heat waves during the day. It’s easy to think of just one type of plant when gardening in arid conditions, but a variety of plants can bring color and variety to a garden.
Popular Drought-Resistant Plants in the Southwest
When choosing plants for a Southwest garden, it’s important to select both native and drought-tolerant species, as well as hybrids that can handle extreme conditions. Some of the more popular choices include:
- Agave
- Cactus
- Gazania
- Lantanas
- Ocotillo
- Poppies
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Yucca
While many of these plants take little maintenance, keep in mind that all of them need some preparation for a successful garden.
Requirements for Drought-Resistant Plants in the Southwest
Prepare the garden area with plenty of organic matter and compost or fertilizer to provide a nutrient-rich diet for the plants. Take extra care with cactus and agave to ensure that they are planted in a location with ideal drainage. All of these plants need at least five hours of bright sun each day to stay healthy and thrive, so choose a sunny spot in the garden. Once planted, water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots.
Allow the top two inches of the soil to dry out before watering again, and do not water in the middle of the day as this promotes evaporation. Mulch your garden regularly and remove any weeds that attempt to take over to ensure that your plants receive the necessary nutrients and water.
These plants also benefit from regular fertilizing with a light fertilizer during the growing season and an organic mulch to help conserve moisture. However, be sure to give the plants time to adjust to their new environment before adding any fertilizers. One of the benefits of cactus and agave is that they tend to tolerate a wide variety of watering and nutritional needs.
Caring for Drought-Resistant Plants in the Southwest
Keep in mind that drought-resistant plants have their own needs and require special care and attention. These plants will need to be acclimatized to the heat and climate before they can fully thrive. It’s also advisable to cover the plants with shade cloth during the hottest parts of the day to prevent heat damage.
Deadheading and pruning plants regularly is also important in order to keep them healthy and prevent overgrowth. If temperatures and water levels remain low throughout the summer, supplement the irrigation and feeding of these (and all) plants to make sure they thrive.
Overall, gardening in the Southwest’s can still yield stunning and colorful results. Taking the time to select the right plants, and to properly care for them, will ensure that your garden will last for years to come.