National Gardening Association

May 22, 2008
Southwestern Deserts
By Cathy Cromell,
Phoenix, AZ

Visit my In My Garden blog. Click here.

region description | previous reports

In My Garden

Artichokes

Catherine de Medici, it is said, saw globe artichokes growing in Florentine gardens and introduced them to French cuisine. Native to Mediterranean areas, these delicacies that we slurp with butter are actually immature flower buds. The center of the...
more

Resources

Favorite or New Plant

Mexican Hat Mexican hat ( Ratibida columnifera ) is a wildflower that's a summer workhorse, blooming...

Clever Gardening Technique

Siting Backlit Plants As the sun's angle changes through the seasons, the best areas in any landscape to show off...

more more

Regional Reminders

Treat Pearl Scale
Maintain Tomatoes
Watch for Butterflies and Caterpillars
Protect Deciduous Fruit
Reprogram Automatic Timers

more more

National News

From NGA Editors

Air Pollution Reduces Flower Fragrance

The decline of honeybee and native bee populations has been widely reported in the press, and a number of factors have been attributed to the decline, such as mites, disease, and stress. Now air...

New Multicolored Wallflower

Wallflowers are tender perennials that can also be grown as biennials in cold climates. This quintessential English flower features strap-like leaves and tender stems of brightly colored blossoms....

Choosing Roses for Your Region

The All-America Rose Selections (AARS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the introduction and promotion of award-winning roses. For 70 years they have trialed rose varieties across the...

Recipes from the Garden

Rosalind Creasy is considered a leader in the edible landscaping movement. Her famous book, The Complete Guide to Edible Landscaping (Sierra Club Books, 1982), is a bible for many home...

back Back to Regional Reports Home

report index | in my garden | reminders | resources | national news

May 22, 2008 Southwestern Deserts By Cathy Cromell, Phoenix, AZ