Whether living in Arizona, California, or Nevada, many people are discovering the joy of using desert landscaping plants. Typically, these types of plants are easy to grow and maintain, and many have gorgeous, colorful blooms during different times of the year. Although most desert landscaping plants do best in dry, hot climates, they can be used in other parts of the country with a wet, cooler climate.



The various varieties of the cacti, with their sharp thorns, have been used as a fence to ward off predatory animals and other uninvited guests. They can also be used to protect a vegetable from animals that enjoy stealing your prized tomatoes. The short and stout "Barrel Cactus" would be very uninviting.

A desert landscape can be very striking but there may be areas of the yard that are in the shade all day and will require the use of landscape shade plants. By visiting your local garden shop you will find the many varieties that do will in your particular climate.

There are numerous desert landscaping plants to pick from. We have provided names and descriptions of just a few of the many desert landscaping and landscape shade plants. You can ask your local nursery for advice of what does exceptionally well in your area.

The Opuntia Robusta, this is a very, very impressive plant. Commonly called "Dinner Plate Cactus" due to the huge size the round and flat leaves can grow to. We sometimes get these growing upwards of 16 inches across!

Desert Spoon: This particular plant does best in arid climates and was at one time, used for fiber and food by Native Americans. The plant will grow between five and eight feet high and depending on the exact species, some will produce a bloom topped with red, long plumes that complement the gray green foliage.

Golden Barrel: This desert plant has beautiful gold flowers with gold colored foliage. At maturity, the plant will reach about four feet high and three feet in diameter.

Using Landscape Shade Plants in your Desert Garden

The Astilbe, which is also called "Feather Flower," grows well in the shade and lots of moisture. Because of its feather like flower it complements a cactus or desert garden nicely. The flowers can bloom from early spring to late summer and come in white, ivory purple, pink or red.

Hosta: This is a perfect choice for landscape shade plants, growing about 12 to 18 inches high with a nice spread. The leaves are dense and if grown close together, they create a wonderful border.

Another type of shade plant is the Liriope Spicata. This plant resembles grass and is sometime called border grass. It has flowers the turn from white to purple when it is blooming then a dark berry grows on the plant in the fall.

Often labeled a day lily the Foxglove is extremely versatile and grows equally as well in the sun as it does it the shade. The flowers produced by this plant are striking and vary in color depending on the species. It is however a poisonous plant and should not be exposed to children and pets.