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.
Common name:Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name:Agave americana
Succulent that grows quickly to10' x 13'. Wide, grey leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. Prefers full sun and well-drained situations. Prone to agave snout weevil which will eat the roots and heart of the plant. Like all agaves, after blooming, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. This is a large agave, be sure to have space.
Common name:Blue Palo Verde
Botanical name:Parkinsonia florida
Upright, desert tree to 30' x 30'. Will grow moderately fast with monthly irrigation. Trees bloom profusely in spring with clusters of bright yellow blossoms. Can be drought or cold deciduous. Blooms before Cercidium microphyllum. Branches form erect rounded graceful tree usually low branching. Great nesting for native birds. Native to the Sonoran desert.
Designer:
Photographer: GardenSoft
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
In the fall, unless it is very hot outside, you can reduce your total watering time by 1/2.
Do not reduce run times, reduce the number of watering days.
Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.
