Southwest Plant and Landscaping Ideas

These cacti and drought-tolerant plants attractive, low-maintenance choices for desert gardens.

By: Lynn Coulter

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Photo By: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan/Javier Aervalo Fotografia

Photo By: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan

Photo By: Photo by Jamie Rector

Photo By: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan

Photo By: Image courtesy of CivanoNursery.net

Photo By: Courtesy of Quinta Mazatlan

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.

Xeriscaping

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

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.

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.

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.

Cactus Spines

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

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.

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.

Use Native Plants

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

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

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.

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

Related To:

Shop This Look

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

Landscaping 101: Different Types of Plants 13 Photos

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