Be a successful desert gardener. Find everything you need to know to create and maintain a beautiful, carefree desert landscape in our weekly newsletter.
Nursery map (New!) π, the "queen" of cactus π, saguaro fruit harvest π΅, and more ππ΅
Published 17 days agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi, Desert Gardener,
Lately, I've taken to writing about some of the desert's more unsual plants that can be grown as landscape plants. I planned to share my "queen of the night" artricle to coincide with Tohono Chul's annual bloom, but alas, Bloom Night came and went so early this year, I missed it. Oops. But, you can still learn more about this mysterious cactus as today's featured plant.
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When it heats up outside, I use the opportunity to work on indoor gardening projects such as planning, journaling, or improving SWG. Last weekend, I created a map of nurseries in Tucson (with a little help from some FB gardening friends.) I hope you find it useful the next time you go plant shopping, especially if you want to try someplace new. If you know of any nurseries I missed, please let me know!
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Just in! Plant Sale! If you find yourself near Bisbee on Saturday (13th), Chairy Tree Art Gardens is having a 30% off plant sale. Visit their Facebook page for a list of plants and directions. Please tell them Southwest Gardeners sent you. π
In this week's newsletter, we cover:
Featured plant: Queen of the night
Tucson nursery directory & map (New!)
Good reasons to shop local
What to do in the garden in June
and more!
Queen of the Night: Elusive Flowering Cactus
Queen of the night is an elusive cactus thatβs rarely seen in the wild. But itβs widely regarded for its nocturnal flowers that simultaneously bloom once per year. If you'd love to grow one, don't be daunted. They can be hard to find but are super-easy to grow. Read more ββ
Queen of the Night Fun Fact!
With over 400 specimens, Tuscon's Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens is home to the largest private collection of queen of the night cactus in the world.
Tucson Nursery Directory
We are fortunate to have so many great nurseries in Tucson. Many carry a wide range of desert plants while others specialize in native plants, trees, cactus and other succulents, seeds, and even bamboo! Hereβs a list of nurseries along with a map. Find it here ββ
Why Shop at Local Nurseries?
No matter where you live, please consider supporting your local nurseries. You are more likely to get an appropriate, healthy plant along with knowledgeable advice.
June Gardening Guide
The merciless heat and aridity of June make it the hardest month on plants, and the most challenging for desert gardeners. Discover what you should and shouldnβt do in the garden this month, how to water, pests to watch out for, and more. Get the details here ββ
Upcoming Tucson Events
There are lots of interesting garden events and classes coming up soon! Upcoming highlights include: * Virtual Graywater Class @ Watershed Management Group (6/16) * Saguaro Fruit Harvest @ Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (6/20) * Xeriscaping 101 @ Green Things (6/15)
Be a successful desert gardener. Find everything you need to know to create and maintain a beautiful, carefree desert landscape in our weekly newsletter.
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