Fraser's Photinia Photinia x fraseri Zone 7-9 A beautiful evergreen that works great as a hedge. New growth appears in spring and is an explosive, red-bronze. Older foliage is dark green. Plant in full sun and water regularly for best growth. A fast grower that can quickly reach 12' tall and 10 wide. Easy to shape. Blooms petite white flowers in early spring.

Q: Should I clean up dead leaves around my tree and plants? A: Yes! Leaving dead leaves around your plants is different than composting the leaves. When leaves are left at the base of trees and plants, it not only looks untidy, but it provides a safe place for pests and diseases to hide and grow (especially over the winter months. Also, a build-up of leaves and debris at the base of your plant can suffocate your plant. Grab that rake this weekend and start cleaning!

Regent Serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia 'Regent' Zone 2-7 Beautiful, fragrant white flowers form in clusters in mid-spring just before the leaves appear. Dark green foliage that resembles an apricot tree quickly follows the flowers that add a nice spring treat to any area of your yard. Produces fruit can be used in jams. A moderate grower that can reach 6' tall and wide. Plant in full sun for best growth and fruit production, but can tolerate part shade. Water regularly fo

Q: How do I remove a tree stump? A: Tree stumps can be very tricky to remove depending on what size they are. A small stump can be dug around with a pick and digging bar and can be pulled out with some hard work. This is not feasible for a large stump. One option (if you have the patience) is to buy stump remover from a nursery. Follow the instructions closely! You basically drill several large holes in the stump and place the powder inside those holes with water.... and wait

Whitethorn Acacia Acacia constricta Zone 8-10 This tree will add a unique look to any yard! Bright yellow, fragrant globe blooms brighten up this tree in early spring; and again in summer. Rows of petit leaves that resemble a locust tree will appear after the first bloom. Plant in full sun. A slow grower that can reach up to 8-15 feet and wide. Drought tolerant once established. Attracts birds and butterflies. Just make sure to watch out for the several-inch-long white spike

Happy October from Desert Rose! Welcome to Part I of our 10 must-have yard maintenance tools for homeowners. Whether you are a do-it-yourself person, or maybe just use us for quarterly clean-ups, these tools will help you keep your yard looking its best! 1.) A pair of sharp pruners A sharp, clean pair of pruners is an absolute must for any homeowner! Whether it's deadheading your roses, cleaning up a shrub, or cutting fruit from a tree, a good pair of pruners will cut easil

Q: What is the FASTEST way to dig holes for planting? Any machine/tool recommendations would be awesome. A: Even though shovels are the standard method of digging a hole there is something that blows it out of the water…an auger. Whether it is a stand-alone auger or even better, an auger attached to a small tractor, a hole can be dug and mostly cleaned out in under 30 seconds!

Giant Sacanton Sporobolus wrightii Zone 5-9 One of the largest native grasses; this huge specimen will definitely be a conversation starter. Blooms large, wheat-colored spikes during the summer months. Plant in full sun for best growth. Water regularly until established. Tolerates a wide variety of soil types. Waterwise and easy to grow. Has great winter interest. Cut down to several inches above ground level in late winter/early spring. Divide grass every 4 years. Deer resis

Q: What are your favorite colorful drought-resistant flowers for Santa Fe? A: There are so many! But just to name some there are Blanket flowers, Lavender, Russian Sage, Yarrow, Coneflower, Verbena, Penstemons (both Rocky Mountain and Pineleaf), Black Eyed Susan, Goldfinger Potentilla, Agastache, Daylily, and Periwinkle. What are yours?

Deer Grass Muhlenbergia Rigens Zone 7-10 This large ornamental grass will give your yard a deserty look. Dark green new growth fades to a wheat-colored yellow and adds a great color contrast anywhere you plant this. In spring and early summer, the grass tends to be perky and upright. By fall the grass will begin to take on a fountain-like effect that will continue to add interest into the winter months. A fast grower that can quickly reach up to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide.