Plants and Landscaping Ideas for Southwestern Gardens

Photo: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan/Javier Aervalo Fotografia

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Strawberry Pitaya Blooms

Water-wise gardens of the Southwest don't have to look barren. Gardeners can grow plants like strawberry pitaya cactus (Echinocereus enneacanthus), which bears showy magenta flowers.

Photo: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan

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Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping means landscaping to conserve water. It includes growing plants that need little water, irrigating efficiently, limiting areas of turf and mulching.

Photo: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan

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Glory of Texas

Glory of Texas (Thelocactus bicolor) flowers throughout the year. It's called "bicolored" for the red centers in its rosy-pink blooms.

Photo: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan

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Night-Blooming Cereus

Night-blooming cereus opens its fragrant, white flowers for just one night each summer. Rats and rabbits feast on the sprawling stems of this cactus, while many birds, coyotes and tortoises eat its red fruits.

Photo: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan

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Cacti Collection

The cacti in this garden at Quinta Mazatlan, a Texas nature center, can survive with less than 10 inches of annual rainfall. Some take many years to bloom; others won't bloom at all if the growing conditions aren't right.

Photo: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan

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Cactus Spines

Spines don't just protect cacti from hungry animals. They also help shade them so they can tolerate more heat and drought.

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Horse Crippler Cactus

The cruel name of this cactus comes from its long, fierce spines. Pink, white or lavender flowers open from April to May, followed by red fruits.

Photo: Photo by Jamie Rector

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Using Cacti as a Living Wall

Cacti thrive in hot, sunny climates, where they can give structure to outdoor rooms. Some are hardier than others; check your plant's hardiness rating if you live where the winters are cold.

Photo: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan

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Use Native Plants

Landscaping with native plants and trees, such as wild olives, desert yaupons and Jerusalem thorns helps conserve water.

'Astrophytum Ornatum var. Mirbelli' is the largest, easiest to grow, and the fastest of the Astrophytums. This cactus appears to be star shaped from above and is more heavily spined than the other Astrophytums. It features beautiful, large lemon-yellow flowers.

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Star Cactus

Commonly called the star cactus or monk's hood, Astrophytum ornatum 'Mirabelli' looks star-shaped from above. It features large, lemon-yellow flowers.

Fishhook Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria grahamii)

Photo: Image courtesy of CivanoNursery.net

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Fishhook Pincushion Cactus

Also known as Graham’s nipple cactus, this desert native opens 1-inch pink blooms in spring and summer. Flowers fade to red fruits prized by desert wildlife. It grows 3 to 6 inches tall and 3 to 4 inches across.

Photo: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan

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Guayacan Shrub

Guayacan shrubs have long taproots and small leaves that help them withstand droughts.They range from Texas to Mexico and produce purple-violet flowers and evergreen foliage.

Southwest Plant and Landscaping Ideas

Strawberry Pitaya Blooms

Xeriscaping

Glory of Texas

Night-Blooming Cereus

Cacti Collection

Cactus Spines

Horse Crippler Cactus

Using Cacti as a Living Wall

Use Native Plants

Star Cactus

Fishhook Pincushion Cactus

Guayacan Shrub

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