Southwestern Deserts
February, 2008
Regional Report
National News - From NGA Editors
New Apricot Zinnia
Zinnias are one of the easiest annual flowers to grow in the garden, and they come in many sizes, shapes, and colors -- from pure white to deep red. Now gardeners have a beautiful new apricot...
A Solution for Heavy Containers
Container gardening continues to be hugely popular, and many gardeners love to experiment with large containers, mixing and matching edibles, flowers, and even small shrubs. However, large...
The Best Daisies
The Shasta daisy ( Leucanthemum x superbum ) is a carefree, widely adapted perennial flower that gardeners across the country can grow. The flowers reach 5 inches in diameter with yellow centers...
Kudzu Contributes to Air Pollution
As if there weren't enough reasons to dislike this ubiquitous Southern weed that is migrating northward with global warming, now it appears kudzu emits gases that contribute to air pollution....
In the Garden
Cool Temps Create Cool Colors
When winter temperatures drop, some desert-adapted plants respond to the stress by changing colors. Years ago, I had admired a fellow gardener's prickly pear, which featured long, black, needle-like spines that stood out distinctly against blue pads....
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Resources
Favorite or New Plant
Prickly Pear 'Baby Rita' prickly pear ( Opuntia basalaris 'Baby Rita') is positively cute. Small, chubby pads...
Clever Gardening Technique
Visit Nurseries and Botanic Gardens During cold weather, visit nurseries and public gardens to see firsthand how color variations may...
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Regional Reminders
- Manage Irrigation Carefully
- Monitor Weather
- Set Out Tomatoes
- Continue Bare-Root Planting
- Continue Sowing Cool-Season Veggies
