Do you love flowers and pretty variegated bushes in your landscape? Here’s how you can have them even in the desert in really hot climates.
When we moved to Arizona years ago it was in the middle of August and I thought I was going to die from all the heat. I also am not a huge fan of cactus, so this really didn’t look like how I wanted my surroundings to look.
I told my husband if we had to move here (for his job) then I wanted an Old English Garden. He looked at me like I was crazy, but said he would do his best. (He’s a Master Gardener so I wanted miracles.) Well, not exactly an Old English Garden, but he did create a beautiful yard with tons of pretty flowers.
Even our pool was designed to look like a pond with a waterfall.
When we bought this house 2 years ago of course a pool was #1 on my list for the back yard. It was completed in time for our first summer and it is my happy place where I love to be. These tiny little plants looked so small at first. But – – — – – –
Just look at them now. Those tiny bushes grew and started glowing with tons of pretty flowers and color. The beds are filled in with some wonderful perennials and annuals that also have tons of blooms. What a difference a year can make. We even had to cut some of them way back this spring.
Don’t be afraid to mix some tropical plants in for a little contrast.
The bright orange and yellow bushes are Lantana that have been cut back so they grow up the wall instead of sprawling on the ground. I love that splash of color.
Check with your local nursery wherever you live. There are so many different flowering bushes and shrubs for every climate and every region. Pick out the ones you love and enjoy the garden of your dreams too.
For Mother’s Day hubby surprised me when he cut a few things from the yard and made me a beautiful bouquet. He didn’t need to go to the Florist, he just shopped our backyard.
I think I have the best of both worlds now. I don’t have to shovel snow in the winter, fight rain for months on end and humidity that can make breathing impossible. Ours is hot, but it really is a dry heat and only lasts for about 4 months. The rest of the year our temps are mainly in the 70’s, how great is that. In the summer if I am warm I can just go jump in the pool and enjoy my pretty flowers.
To stay up to date on all the makeovers taking place at our new home, I would love to have you follow me. You don’t want to miss any of our“Hits & Misses”.
Have every post delivered to your inbox with Bloglovin
Check out Pinterest & See behind the scenes on Instagram
I would love to know the plants your husband planted. I live in the inland part of So. California and we have a few hot months in the summer.
Pat
We use to live in California, so I know about your area. Similar to ours. We use a lot of Lantana in all colors and of course I rely on annuals too. That pretty much makes up our yard, so just visit your nursery and have fun. Marty