Desert Plants for Landscaping

There are two scenarios, when garden lovers opt for the desert landscape design: one is when they live in a drought prone area and second is when they find it hard to devote the required amount of time for gardening. However, desert landscaping is also very exciting for people who want to help in the noble cause of saving water. Desert landscaping is not all about growing cactus, but there are numerous other kinds of desert plants for landscaping, which you can easily introduce into your garden. You don't need to be an horticulture expert to plant the desert trees in the garden. It is also the reason why more and more amateur gardeners are following desert landscaping as their latest muse.

Desert Landscaping Ideas
There are two most important benefits of the desert plants for desert landscaping. Firstly, they require least amount of water and secondly, they need least amount of maintenance. Both these things are really beneficial for your outdoor, as well as indoor gardening. Desert landscaping is a great idea for people who want to contribute to the cause of conserving water. Also, people living in 'very low water use zone' should opt for desert landscaping. There are a few basics of desert landscaping, which make it really work for the dry zones.

Most of the desert landscaping plants thrive best in good drainage soil and sufficient mulching. But, for better results, these plants are needed to be placed keeping adequate distance between them. The desert plants thrive best when you maintain desert like surroundings for them. Hence, always place the desert plants by maintaining a distance of several feet between the plants. As a rule of thumb, always plant shrubs and bushes along with the desert trees and succulents. Place the shrubs and bushes as the focal point of your landscape and use limited number of succulent plants.

Desert Plants for Landscaping

Joshua Tree
The Joshua tree is also called 'yucca palm', which is a fast growing desert plant for landscaping. It has dark green linear leaves and is a flowering tree. The flowers of the Joshua trees blossom during February to April.

Jumping Cholla Cactus
The jumping cholla cactus is also known as hanging chain cholla. It is a plant with a low-branching trunk and drooping branches of chained fruits. This plant bears white and pink flowers that bloom in mid-summer.

Bottle Brush
Bottle brush is a perennial plant with good drought resisting capacity. They are widely available with a huge variety and they sport beautiful flowers many times a year. They are a good choice for planting near a drip system or the ponds.

List of Desert Landscaping Trees
Here is a brief list of the desert landscaping trees.

• Blue Palo Verde
• Desert Hackberry
• Desert Willow
• Fern-of-the-Desert
• Honey Mesquite
• Ironwood
• Little Leaf Palo Verde
• Palo Blanco
• Shoe String Acacia
• Sweet Acacia
• South American Mesquite
• Texas Ebony

List of Desert Landscaping Perennials and Wildflowers
Here is a brief list of the desert landscaping perennial plants and wildfolwers

• Arizona Yellow bells
• Arizona Rosewood
• Autumn Sage
• Baja Fairy Duster
• Bush Dalea
• Brittlebush
• Chuparosa
• Creosote
• Desert Marigold
• Globe Mallow
• Hopbush
• Little Leaf Cordia
• Ocotillo
• Quail Bush
• Red Bird of Paradise
• Red Firecracker
• Texas Mountain Laurel
• Texas Ranger
• Yellow Bird of Paradise

List of Desert Landscaping Ground Covers and Vines
Here is a brief list of the desert landscaping ground covers and vines.

• Mexican Primrose
• Trailing Lantana
• Trailing Smoke Bush
• Queen's Wreath
• Yellow Orchid Vine

List of Desert Landscaping Succulent Plants
Here is a brief list of the desert landscaping succulent plants.

• Aloe Vera
• Barrel Cactus
• Beargrass
• Banana Yucca
• Beavertail Prickly Pear
• Desert Spoon
• Elephant Food
• Hedgehog Cactus
• Octopus Agave
• Purple Prickly pear
• Saguaro Cactus
• Soaptree Yucca

There are some more desert plants that thrive nicely in the relatively dryer zones, which are - bougainvillea, oleander, lantana, orange jubilee, etc. Always select the local species. This way you will ensure utmost beauty of your desert garden. You can add a dry river creek-like structure into the yard, if possible. It will definitely enhance the visual value of your landscape as well as gardening skills.

These plants require minimal water supply and least amount of attention. But make sure they get the adequate amount of water and attention that they deserve! All the best!