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Apr 19, 2013 10:01 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Amanda
Greensboro, NC (Zone 7a)
Hi all,

I'm actually not a Southwest gardener as I live on the East Coast, but my mother-in-law lives in Phoenix and LOVES flowers. She has a small backyard, and would like to be able to grow some things that flower back there, but she's not able to commit a whole lot of time or effort to do so. She's somewhat elderly and a caretaker as well.

So, I thought I'd come to this forum to see if anyone has good recommendations for gardening books or resources for gardening in the Southwest specifically. It would be great if I could help her find places to learn about different kinds of plants she could grow!!

Thanks for your help,
Amanda
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Apr 23, 2013 8:06 AM CST
Name: Becky (Boo)
Phoenix, AZ 85022
finding joy one day at a time!
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Purslane Garden Ideas: Master Level
Region: Southwest Gardening Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: United States of America Birds Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Hi Amanda,

What a nice DIL you are to help your mother in law. Lovey dubby

Southwest Gardening has classes if she is interested, I love private nurseries best because they take time to chat. but really the Lowes stores and Home Depot have good plants too. Lantana will bloom for her without a total neediness. I have let them sprawl around and only trim back in spring but I am a messy gardener. Ornamental Purslane is a delight and my favorite plant. It blooms daily! And for smell, sweet alyssum does great here as well as stock until it gets too hot.

I think if she goes to a local nursery near here home she will find a lot of help but as I mentioned, lantana blooms (no fragrance) and purslane too. Both easy to care for.
ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
MY CUBITS ~ Trust in the Lord ~
MY WEB SITE ~ Joyful Times Today
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Apr 24, 2013 1:22 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Amanda
Greensboro, NC (Zone 7a)
Thank you! Happen to know any good nurseries around Mesa?

Amanda
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Apr 29, 2013 9:43 AM CST
Name: Becky (Boo)
Phoenix, AZ 85022
finding joy one day at a time!
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Purslane Garden Ideas: Master Level
Region: Southwest Gardening Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: United States of America Birds Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Amanda, I don't. Summerwinds is a local favorite of mine in north Phoenix. Hopefully Susie will come along and offer some advice about Mesa.
ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
MY CUBITS ~ Trust in the Lord ~
MY WEB SITE ~ Joyful Times Today
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May 2, 2013 11:04 AM CST
Name: Alma
Phoenix & Cottonwood, AZ
USDA zone 9b, Sunset 13 & ??
Amanda, I've visited two terrific nurseries in Mesa, both are A&P Nursery, just different locations. I found them to be very helpful and honest; they'll tell you if a plant is not right for the season or location. That said, here are my recommendations: Sunflowers, sunflowers, sunflowers!! They range from short and small to tall with mammoth heads. Best of all, they need nothing but water once they sprout. Other summer color could include lisianthus (very pretty lavender flower), Vinca, portulaca, gallardia, daisies, verbena. Boo's suggestion of purslane* is a good one, but I'd nix lantana; no matter how carefree a plant it is, sooner or later it will need some pruning and you can get a nasty allergic reaction to the sap.

* Edible purslane is wonderful in addition to the ornamental variety. Very, very easy plant to care for. Just needs water. ;o)

Good luck.
Alma
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. – Thomas Jefferson
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May 6, 2013 2:37 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Amanda
Greensboro, NC (Zone 7a)
Thank you both! My mother-in-law is coming out to NC to visit this week, and now I feel like I can give her some direction for when she gets home.

Happy Spring!
Amanda
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Jun 12, 2013 9:53 AM CST
Name: Becky (Boo)
Phoenix, AZ 85022
finding joy one day at a time!
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Purslane Garden Ideas: Master Level
Region: Southwest Gardening Enjoys or suffers hot summers Region: United States of America Birds Hummingbirder Container Gardener
Hurray!
ALL THINGS PLANTS ~ Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~
MY CUBITS ~ Trust in the Lord ~
MY WEB SITE ~ Joyful Times Today
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