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Tour: High Desert Deluxe

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Desert Retreat
Date Palm, Arabian Desert Date Palm
New Zealand Purple Flax
Date Palm, Arabian Desert Date Palm

Common name:Date Palm, Arabian Desert Date Palm
Botanical name:Phoenix dactylifera

This tree, the source of edible dates, will grow up to 80' tall and has greyish-green leaves on a slender trunk. It does well in desert landscapes. This palm is often used in formal groupings around large buildings.

New Zealand Purple Flax

Common name:New Zealand Purple Flax
Botanical name:Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum'

Phormium tenax 'Atropurpureum' is an evergreen perennial. Big, dramatic plant composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves can reach 5' tall. Leaves are purple red. Flowers stems reach high above leaves, bearing clusters of 1"-2" blossoms in dark red.

Designer:

Desert Retreat
Image: 16 of 21

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Water Saving Tip:

Use multiple cycles of irrigation on watering days. Most sprinklers deliver water faster than soils can absorb it.

By breaking up the watering time into smaller segments, runoff can be greatly reduced.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.