Crea%ng  a    Oasis  with  Low  Water  Use  Plants  

Master Gardeners teach people to select, place and care for plants in an environmentally responsible manner based on research specific to the low desert.

Jo Cook University of Arizona Master

Gardener Program in Maricopa County

Hosted by the City of Phoenix

Crea%ng  a  Breathtaking Oasis  with  Fantastic Low  Water  Use  

Plants  

Master Gardeners teach people to select, place and care for plants in an environmentally responsible manner based on research specific to the low desert.

An  Oasis  in  the  Desert?  

1960’s  Phoenix  

Group  Ac:vity  

What  is  an  Oasis  to  You?  

Aesthetic Physical Mental

Emotional

Oasis?  

Oasis  in  the  Desert?  

How  Much  Space  do    You  Need  for  an  Oasis?  

Colorful  Oasis?  

Transform  the  Look  1  

1.  Vine  

2.  Support  

3.  Path  

4.  Layers  

Next  

Blue  Palo  Verde  Parkinsonia  florida  

•  Use  trees  as  Vines  •  Vines  as  Trees  

Return  

Saguaro  Carnegiea  gigantea  

•  Used  as  a  support  to  achieve  ‘the  look’  

Return  

A  Path  (mature  size  of  the  plant)  

Next  

A  Path  with  a  Des:na:on  

Return  

Gopher  Plant  Euphorbia  rigida  

 

Next  

AMWUA.org/plants    Trees  Shrubs  Vines  Grasses  Succulents  Cac:  Ground  covers  Perennials  Annuals  &  Wildflowers      Grouped  by:  Low-­‐li_er  Na:ve  Pool  friendly  Rabbit  Resistant  Plant  Combina:ons  Advanced  Search  

Next  

Transform  the  Look  2  

1.  Vine  

2.  Support  

3.  Path  

4.  Layers  

1.  Vine  

2.  Support  

3.  Path  

4.  Layers  

Pedilanthus  macrocarpus  

Next  

Pedilanthus  macrocarpus  

Return  

Support:  Mesquite  

Next  

SUPPORT    Rusted  metal  screens  suppor:ng  Slipper  Flower  

Return  

Path  (wide  and  welcoming)  

Return  

Mexican  Thread  Grass  S9pa  tenuissima  

 

Next  

Transform  the  Look  Plant  Alterna:ves  

Vines  

Queen’s  Wreath  -­‐  White  

Next  

Queen’s  Wreath  -­‐  Pink  

Next  

Let’s  Talk  About:  

1.  Inventory  2.  Space  Planning  3.  Wish  List  4.  Plant  Selec:on  5.  Pudng  it  all  together  

Inventory  

•  Exis:ng  plant  material  •  Exis:ng  hardscape  •  Borrowed  landscaping  

Space  Planning  

•  Propor:on  •  Solar  Arc  •  Water  •  Sight  Lines  •  Boundaries  

Site  Needs  

•  Problem  solving  – Water  – HOA  – Unsightly  views  – U:li:es  

•  Saving  Energy  

Low  Water  Use  Plant  Benefits  

•  Fewer  Pests  -­‐  Less  Pes:cide  Use  •  Fewer  Diseases  -­‐  Less  Herbicide  Use  •  Less  Maintenance  -­‐  Less  greenwaste  •  Energy  Savings  •  Encourage  wildlife,  birds,  hummingbirds  &  bu_erflies  

•  Wants  to  live  here  

Plant  Selec:on  

•  Plan  first,  design  next,  then  plants  •  Year-­‐round  color  •  Start  with  the  trees  

Tips  

•  Use  forms  and  pa_erns  found  in  nature  •  Go  mul:-­‐level  •  The  rule  of  3’s  •  Consider  irriga:on  •  Think  about  installing  ligh:ng  

Great  News  for  Phoenix  •  Resources  •  Demonstra:on  gardens  •  More  classes!    •  INSPIRATION  

•  Real  Gardens  for  Real  People  March  12,  2016  –  RealGardensforRealPeople.com  

•  Master  Gardener  Demonstra:on  Garden  •  Desert  Botanical  Garden  •  Boyce  Thompson  Arboretum    

Master Gardeners teach people to select, place and care for plants in an environmentally responsible manner based on research specific to the low desert.

THANKS  TO:    •  Arizona  Municipal  Water  

Users  Associa:on  •  Mountain  States  Wholesale    

 Nursery  •  Mike  Pla_a    •  Jeane_e  Sle_en    •  Sherie  Zeitlin      •  Hun:ngton  Gardens  

     •  City  of  Phoenix  •  University  of  Arizona          

Maricopa  County        Master  Gardeners