Q: How do I know if my plants are getting enough water? A: Your plants will let you know they need water. The first sign is wilting. If you see wilting and the soil feels dry give your plants a good watering and by the end of the day, the wilting should be gone. If you ignore the wilting your plant will start to get excessively dry and will become crunchy. When you water the plant, it will prevent it from dying but the crunchy parts will not go away.

Airbrush Effect Hardy Hibiscus Zone 5-9 It's easy to get lost in the mind-bending beauty of this hibiscus variety. The airbrushed effect (as the name so obviously applies) coupled with the wrinkled textures of each 8" flower is overwhelming (in a good way) and will bring lots of attention wherever you plant this in your yard. Blooms from late spring to fall, with lots of flowers covering the shrub. Plant in full sun for best growth. A slow grower that can reach 4' tall and 5'

Our client was tired of how the railroad ties looked and functioned in this backyard. The client enjoyed going down to the wooden deck during the summer months, but access was limited. One had to choose between walking over the grass or taking a big step up in order to access the wooden deck. The first step was to remove the small amounts of gravel between the railroad tie steps and then removing the railroad ties. Next, we trenched the area where the retaining wall would go

Q: How do I know what kind of insecticide I need for my plants? A: The type of insecticide you need will depend on the type of infestation you have. Neem oil will work for most (but not all!) infestations but there are some precautions you need to take prior to applying. Always follow the instructions on the back of anything you apply to your garden. If you are unsure of what kind of infestation you have on your plant, simply take a small cutting, place it in a bag and take

Coral Canyon Twinspur Diascia Integerrima Zone 5-9 Clusters of tiny pink flowers with magenta centers cover the spikey stems to add soft pink blooms to anywhere this plant is placed. Dense foliage that is waxy adds the perfect background to make the blooms look amazing and helps to put you in your happy place. Plant in full sun for best growth. Water regularly, being mindful not to overwater. A moderate grower that can reach 15" tall and 18" wide. Blooms early summer, and

Q: How often should I water my potted plants? A: Each plant requires different amounts of water. That being said, the general consensus is to keep the soil moist but not saturated. To test the soil, simply place your finger in the soil to the first knuckle (approx. 1 inch), it should be moist. If it is dry water the plant thoroughly.

Crocosmia 'Lucifer' Zone 5-9 Beautiful, reddish-orange flowers cover the stems of this showstopper during the summer months. Green vegetation similar to Iris adds a dense green backdrop for the flowers to explode against. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant in full sun for best growth. Water occasionally. Can reach 36" tall and spread 36" wide. Plant bulbs at a rate of 6 bulbs per sq. foot, and plant 6" deep. Tolerates most soils but prefers well-drained soils.

Happy July from Desert Rose! In this month's blog we will highlight water saving tips and how to reduce your water bill, but still have a beautiful yard. As we all know, water in the desert is a precious resource, so in Santa Fe we need to try our best to protect this supply by balancing a beautiful yard with water conservation. Water bills in Santa Fe are no joke and water waste can lead to ridiculously high bills. So what is the best way to make water go further in your y

Q: What is the best way to water a tree? I don’t think my trees are getting enough water. A: When you water a tree you want to slowly fill up the posa (mound of dirt) that surrounds the base of the tree. Slowly open the faucet to a slow, steady stream (about 1/2 to 1 turn of the faucet depending on your faucet). It should take about an hour to fill up the posa.

Whirling Butterflies Guara Lindheimeri Zone 5-9 Dark green, thin-leaved foliage (think rosemary) provides the base to tall, lanky stems whose tips become covered with wispy, whitish-pink flowers that dance in the wind. This plant gets its name from the resemblance of butterflies fluttering around on a beautiful summer day. This plant does great in the ground or in pots! Plant in full sun. Water regularly until established, then water occasionally. Drought and heat resistant.