In desperate need of either inspiration or intervention, I set out on a hike in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve.  I tend to tackle these things as if Target’s my sponsor and I’m in training…for the Iron Man.  Which, by the looks of my thighs, I am not.  So I have to remind myself to slow down…stop…and look around.

It’s frickin’ amazing what happens when you do.  I discovered this little fist-sized gem, Mamillaria grahamii, growing out of a pile of rocks.  This tiny xeriscape plant, commonly known as a Fishhook Pincushion or a Nipple Cactus (for somewhat obvious reasons),  likes being tucked into or around a rock in our desert gardens.  And with a little water, these guys will bloom with a bold profusion of color in the spring.

Stopping to see how plants live in their native desert environment allows you to re-create similar growing conditions in your own landscape…especially if you want a more natural desert garden.

Mass plantings work really well for a big bed or a big space in our desert gardens.  They’re simple to design but, if done well, make a really bold statement.

Take this new bed at the Phoenix Art Museum.  It features alternating plantings of a columnar Euphorbia with the curvy wildness of Pedilanthus macrocarpus (Slipper Plant).  Add some cool mulch (they used a river rock, but recycled glass would work well, too) and you’ve got a stunning and contemporary garden.  Light it up at night and, well…breathtaking!

Make it even simpler by sticking to just one low-water xeriscape plant.  Columnar plants, especially cacti, not only create a look, they can act as a security barrier.  And a row of Slipper Plants provide structure, but their unpredictable growth patterns provide a sense of fun!