Be a successful desert gardener. Find everything you need to know to create and maintain a beautiful, carefree desert landscape in our weekly newsletter.
The "popcorn" plant πΏ, gravel vs wood chips - which is best? π€, & moreπ΅π
Published 2 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi, Desert Gardener!
I hope you are having a great week and enjoying your summer! This has been a mixed week for me.
I've been doing the "happy dance" since we finally got significant rainfall throughout Tucson and Pima County -- over 2" in some places! My pond and rain barrel are full, my plants look happy, and I can take a break from watering. Plants LOVE the rain! It's so much better for them than tap water. (Here's why.) It looks like the dreaded "non-soon" will be a monsoon after all.
But the happiness the rain brought was tempered by a disturbing development. Tucson is considering building a data center not far from me that is projected to use more water than 4 golf courses and as much electricity as our city's 1 million residents. You can learn more about "Project Blue" here and, if it concerns you, what you can do here.
What you'll find in this week's newsletter:
Featured Plant: Texas olive
Wood chips or gravel? Which is best?
The "cotton ball" shrub
What to do in the garden in July
Upcoming gardening classes & events
and more!
Texas Olive: Lovely But Messy
Texas olive is a heat-loving tree or shrub thatβs adorned with large creamy white flowers from spring through fall. It's gorgeous and good for wildlife, but its olive-like fruits are messy, so it's not ideal for every spot. βRead more here ββ
A Reader Asks: "What are those shrubs that look like they're covered with popcorn balls? I suddenly see them everywhere."
Those are little leaf cordia. They are widely planted along roadsides and in median strips and are blooming like crazy right now. I think their snow-white flowers look like white roses, but I've also heard them described as cotton balls and wads of toilet paper! π This is an airy, informal native shrub that requires almost no care. It's related to today's featured plant, Texas olive, another member of the Cordia genus.
Mulch in the Desert: Gravel vs Wood Chips
Have you ever wondered why desert landscapes are usually covered with gravel instead of wood chips or other organic mulches? Letβs take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of both so you can decide which makes more sense for your situation. βRead more here ββ
Tucson Garden Events & Classes
There's always more to learn about gardening! Check out these classes and events coming up soon. β* Selecting Full-Sun Plants @ Green Things β* Monsoon Market @ Tohono Chul β* Trees That Give Back: Edible Legumes @ Pima County Master Gardeners
Not in Tucson? There are always classes for everyone offered via Zoom.
July: What to Do in the Garden This Month
July means the arrival of monsoon storms, which bring higher humidity and much-needed rain. Hereβs what garden tasks you should do, which to skip, and things to watch out for during this changeable month.
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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