Newsletter Articles
Plants that Will Bloom in Your Southern California Desert Yard
Written by Kelsey W.
The desert is a place where it might seem like only the toughest plants survive, but it’s not only the big cactuses and tumbleweeds that abound in desert landscapes.
If you look closely, especially in the spring when the flowers are in bloom, you’ll see that the desert is full of all sorts of amazing plants that run the gamut from small and fierce to large and complex.
If your home is more desert-like than coastline, your landscaping might benefit from some hardy plants. But don’t worry, it’s not just Joshua trees and sand waiting for you in your new desert garden.
Let’s explore some of the cool plants you can bring home to your garden this season that will thrive in whatever harsh conditions Southern California throws their way.
How Do Desert Plants Survive Harsh Conditions?
The most obvious way plants have evolved to survive the harsh conditions of the desert is by reducing or changing the amount of water needed to survive. In the case of succulents and cactuses, they’ve learned how to hold onto water in their bodies to use it for dry times with little to no rainfall.
Other plants have developed deep root systems meant to reach far into the earth, where water collects over time and is available even when the conditions at the surface are arid and dry. The Yucca plant is an excellent example of a plant with deep roots that seek out water below the earth.
Another way that plants have developed defenses against desert conditions is by changing their appearance to deal with the enduring and relentless sun. While traditional foliage is green, some desert plants have silver and whitish foliage, allowing the plant to reflect the sun’s heat rather than absorb it.
All these adaptations ensure that plants that live in the desert enjoy a happy existence despite conditions that would make coastal plants tremble with fear. The good news, though, is that you can usually enjoy these hardy plants anywhere – even near the coast – as long as you have a good sunny spot for them to live.
Desert Landscapes are Striking, Vibrant, and Unique
In the way that a classic coastal garden is full of lush greenery, a desert landscape is often marked by large, dramatic spines, strangely shaped leaves, and interesting textures. In most landscaping design plans, you’ll choose from a combination of succulents, cacti, trees, and perennials, all with interesting shapes and colors.
Some of the best hardy plants for your SoCal yard will add loads of color to the environment. For example, the Bougainvillea is a vining plant that will spread to fill any space from three to 30 feet wide, and it can even grow up to thirty feet tall. Popular vibrant colors for this desert-loving plant include magenta, orange, and white.
Another bright plant for your arid garden is the desert marigold or “baileya multiradiata” plant, which is considered a short-lived perennial. That means it should live through a few winters, but you may need to plant a new round of these bright yellow plants every so often. They grow anywhere from one to two feet tall and are a beautiful addition to flower beds for a traditional landscaping look.
If you’re looking for an iconic addition to your yard, the Joshua tree or “Yucca brevigolia” is a fine choice, but there are a few caveats. The first is that you can’t go transplanting one from the Inland Empire to your yard. They’re protected, and you must purchase them legally. The second is that they’re best grown in truly arid conditions, so you do want to reside in the desert for it to remain happy in your yard.
Any of the classic desert species you might associate with Southern California are also excellent additions to your yard, especially if you have some space and options to showcase them. Yucca, Agave, and Aloe plants are all capable of growing into rather large plants, and the Aloe plant will even produce flowers in colors like orange, red, and yellow.
One plant you may want to consider if your landscape sits somewhere between the desert and a more coastal climate is the beautiful and classic oleander. These bushy shrubs are grown all over the country, but they’re surprisingly well-adapted to arid conditions and grow beautiful vibrant flowers in colors like pink and white. Just bear in mind that the plant isn’t entirely pet-friendly.
Setting Up Your Hardy Plants for Future Success
As you choose your plants and create a beautiful landscape design for your yard, you’ll need to consider things like water, shade, and the future growth of your hardy plants. In some cases, the young plants you bring home from the garden center will need some extra care and attention while they get used to their new surroundings.
They may require some extra food during the growing season, or you might need to give them some extra water as they establish themselves in the ground. This is especially true for species that have deep roots. Before they’re able to get those roots deep into the ground, where they can find water, you’ll need to supplement their water supply at the surface.
Keeping your yard balanced will also require an eye toward the overall seasonal weather. Many of the hardiest plants you can bring home can survive without a lot of attention, but you might actually need to take note of the extra rainy days that come along every so often. Some desert plants don’t like sitting in muddy soil for too long and need their areas drained.
It’s also important to consider how large a particular plant might get when it’s mature. A small plant you bring home in a pot might look cute and delicate when you place it in your yard, but it’s possible the plant could grow to a towering height eventually. For example, if you choose a bright and cheerful pencil cactus for your home, that little plant can eventually grow to a staggering thirty feet tall.
You may want to consider adding a drip line to your desert expanse for the most efficient watering option. Sprinklers aren’t the most effective means of delivering water when you don’t have a traditional patch of grass, and a drip line can deliver water to targeted areas of your yard where your plants reside at opportune times like dawn or dusk when the risk of evaporation is low.
It’s Not Just Desert Gardens Where Hardy Plants Thrive
You don’t need to reside in the Inland Empire or Palm Springs to benefit from using hardy plants in your landscaping. Not only can you save water and create an environmentally friendly landscape with your desert-friendly plants, but you can also enjoy a worry-free yard, too.
Desert plants are used to getting along without a lot of help, and once they’re happy and established in your yard, you’ll rarely need to help them do anything. If you’re interested in plants that won’t care if you forget to water them or that don’t need a lot of attention, a desert landscape is your best bet.
Hardy plants offer the ideal combination of vibrant shapes and colors with the bonus of easy care. Not everyone has the time to act as a full-time gardener for a yard full of plants, but it’s still possible to have a beautiful yard even if you have a 60-hour work week and no time for watering the plants.
Let Green Thumb Nursery Help You Find a Great Desert-Friendly Plant
Are you tired of trying to keep the grass alive in front of your Inland Empire home? Is it time to switch over to a yard that’s easy to care for with vibrant desert plants at your Riverside house? Are you thinking about going low-maintenance with the plants at your San Fernando Valley home? Visit Green Thumb Nursery for information and inspiration on creating a new and beautiful landscape design for your property. We’ll bring all the information and expertise you need to create a beautiful outdoor space no matter where you make your SoCal home.
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