Native shrub that's "for the birds" 🐦, dreaded witches' broom 🧙🧹, "must have" watering guide 💧, & more 😎🌵

Hi, Desert Gardener,

This week I received several questions about weird growths on various plants that had the same answer -- witches' broom. It has several underlying causes -- mostly natural and one man made. It affects many desert landscape plants, especially roses, lantana, and palo verdes. But regardless of the cause, the treatment is the same. See today's featured post to learn how to prevent it and what to do if you see it on your plants.

🧹 🧙 🧹

I frequently mention on my website that Landscape Watering by the Numbers is a "must have" source of watering information, especially if you have an irrigation system. A new updated version has just been made available. You can view the online version here.

If you prefer a printed copy and live in Tucson, you can pick one up at these locations. If you live elsewhere in Arizona, contact your local water provider or request a copy here.

💧 🌵 💧

In this week's newsletter, we cover:

Featured plant: Desert hackberry
Weird growths & witches' broom
What to do in the garden in September
Upcoming classes & events
and more!

Desert Hackberry: For Birds & Butterflies

If you're looking for a shrub to attract birds and butterflies, you won't find a better plant than desert hackberry. Here’s how to grow this native of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts as a wildlife habitat and landscape plant.
Learn more →

🦋 Fun Butterfly Fact! 🦋

Desert hackberry is the host plant for occasional explosions of
snout nose butterflies, which can number in the billions!

Are The Weird Growths on Your Plants Witches’ Broom?

If you notice weird, unsightly growths on any of your desert landscape plants, it might be witches’ broom. Here’s a look at the underlying causes, how to prevent it, and what you should do if you see it on your plants.
Learn more →

Upcoming Tucson Events

There are plenty of garden-related activities happening around Tucson. Upcoming highlights include:
* Desert Container Gardening: @ Tucson Botanical Garden (9/17)
* Tucson Iris Society Sale @ Harlow Gardens (9/19)
* Desert Gardening for Beginners: Ask an Expert! @ Green Things (9/14)

If you live in Tucson, check out TEP's Trees for You program. You can now place an order for your $5 trees.

Check out the details and find more events in the Tucson Gardening Event Guide →

Not in Tucson? Look for online classes. Anyone can participate in these.

September Gardening Guide

While September may mean fall is coming elsewhere, it's still summer in the desert Southwest. Here’s a look at what you should and shouldn’t do in the garden now, and learn why this is the month to plan, not plant.
Get the details here →

Garden Quote

"Plants want to grow; they are on your side as long as you are reasonably sensible." — Anne Wareham, garden writer

In Case You Missed It

Maximilian Sunflower: Robust Perennial

Why Isn’t My Bougainvillea Blooming?

Desert Gardening Pests & Problems

Before You Go...

Do you have a gardening question you'd like to see answered here? Send it to ask@swgardener.com.

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Thank you for being a subscriber. Remember, you can access your free bonus guide, The 7 Most Common Gardening Mistakes, anytime.

Keep growing and learning,
Desert Dee

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