When I first moved to Scottsdale from the Chicago area, I thought I’d be living with nothing but brown desert colors. Boy, was I wrong. If you’re thinking of moving to the Scottsdale area or just updating/upgrading your landscaping and want some splashes of color, here are a few suggestions for adding color to your desert landscape.
Pomegranate: With the cost of pomegranate running from $2 to $4 EACH, try this wonderful, colorful plant and enjoy the fruits for so much less. Our four year old pomegranate tree/large bush is has over 24 fruits so far and still making more. I expect this year’s crop to be over 50 of those luscious fruits. The flower is a bright reddish orange which will turn in the pomegranate. These do take a little more water than desert plants, but think of where they originated - the mideast. A good spring fertilizer and frequent watering and within a year or two, you’ll be enjoying the pomegranates and the burst of spring colomakes 
Hibiscus: The hibiscus is another plant I just love here. You’ll want to find a place in your yard where the plant will get as much shade as sun, but the plants will typically bloom all growing season. This is a voracious eater, so fertilize regularly.
Roses: All roses do particularly well here in the Sonoran desert, particularly as we use drip systems to water our plants. Very little chance of black spot here.
Annuals: here, many so called “annuals” can be perennials or, at least, bi-annuals. I have two mums from last year still blooming away. With regular fertilizing and water, you’ll be able to enjoy colorful blooms year round.
If you have any questions about desert planting in your Scottsdale area gardens, drop me a line. I’ve learned a few things over the 16 years of Scottsdale living.
Comments(10)