If you live in an arid region or a part of the country that’s home to the desert, you already know there’s an amazingly beautiful and colorful range of plants for your natural garden. Blooming trees, succulents and cacti add gorgeous texture and interesting form that not only complement the natural surroundings, they survive amazingly well in this thirsty land.
When infrequent rainstorms hit, dryland trees and cacti erupt in spectacular bloom!
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Mix sun-loving perennials with arid-garden favorites to create an outdoor living space that bursts with surprising color.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Most desert gardens feature succulents that provide strong architectural forms around which you can plant drought-tolerant shrubs, perennials and wildflowers. Arid gardens receive more rainfall than desert gardens, so they can sustain a greater choice of plants and appear more lush than those in true desert conditions. Arid conditions vary across a mountainous swath of the North American west. Design ideas for these areas can include cottage and woodland gardens, as well as themes reflective of the regional landscape.
For natural gardens in arid regions, select drought-tolerant plants well-adapted to your climate. Elevation, soil type and rainfall quantity (as well as timing) all combine to determine the specific types of plants that will do well in your space. Just be sure to choose tough native plants, as well as those from other hot and dry areas of the globe.
Think about the principles of Xeriscaping when designing your garden and choosing plants. Start by grouping plants with similar water needs together. Although all your plants should be drought-tolerant, drip irrigation will allow you to sustain plant growth, prolong flowering and increase the variety of plants you can grow. Plants that need more water can be planted in swales to take advantage of natural drainage patterns. Take advantage of slower water evaporation by planting in areas next to walls or beneath shade structures.
One of the most drought-tolerant, hardy selections you can include in your desert garden is the ubiquitous cactus. This beauty is a natural for the dry landscape. The key is you have to plant this group of plants correctly – for your own safety, as well as for the plants’ survival. Protect yourself from the spines by wearing long sleeves and protective gloves. And be sure to check individual water requirements for the particular cactus you’re planting – some species benefit from some water applied shortly after planting, while others require a resting period for damaged roots to form protective calluses. (Read the plant label, check with the Learn2Grow Plant Database or ask a knowledgeable employee at your local garden center if you’re unsure of a plant’s specific needs.)
To plant most cacti, carefully take the steps shown in the following pictures and described in their captions. Be sure to mulch around your cactus after planting with small-diameter gravel– it serves the same purpose as organic mulch in other gardens, conserving water and suppressing weeds. With a little care, you’ll have an incredible desert garden that will thrill you with a variety of color and texture.
