Thursday, May 21, 2009

Oleanders for the southwest


Oleanders for Southwestern Landscaping.


Oleanders are beautiful Desert Plants. They come in several colors the hardy red is what most people purchase. The species is in the genus Nerium, and is also known as Rosa, Adelfa, Olean, Laurier Rose, and Aiwa. Oleanders will bloom all summer long but mostly during the mid spring season. They do not like climates that are consistenly below 20degress f. during the winter season. They also love hot climates even reflected heat from a wall or cement entrances. Most will grow to about 20ft tall and about 15ft wide. Here is a list of the most common Oleanders.



  1. Hardy Red Oleander (Red)

  2. Sister Agnes Oleander (white)

  3. White Sands Oleander (Shorter Oleander)

  4. Pink Oleander (Very hardy and grows faster than the other varities)

  5. Salmon Pink (A lighter pink variety but much more colorful than the pink one)


Their is a dwarf variety that grows to about 4-5ft tall and wide. But will only come in red blooms. Not quite as hardy as the regular red oleander.


There is also the pink and white varities that have the same cold tolerances. These shrubs are very hardy in the southwest and are tolerant of droughts. They can also take lots of water which is ideal for landscape ponding areas.


Remember Oleanders like hot climates and can be grown in colder areas but will require 1-2 years of care before they will thrive.
Color your world Nurseries will usually have this type of plant. Or ask you local Nursery for such "Oleander".


This plant is highly toxic so....keep pets and children from chewing or eating them.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Spruce Tree Information

Spruce trees for the southwest (confier trees).
Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica') - Landscape your home with something different. This Evergreen conifer has a symmetrical, pyramidal look to it. It has green to lime green pine needles. Very slow grower. Plant It in partial sun and is an excellent pine for that pine forest garden look. Excellent as a tub plant or miniature Christmas tree. In the Southwest this confier needs shade...underneath a larger shade tree will work great. It looks good in a formal type of garden setting. You can also plant this tree in a container and it requires more care. It will only grow to about 6 feet to 8 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide; larger with age. Can be used as an indoor Christmas Tree then planted outside after the Holidays. Cone shaped dwarf conifer trees displaying a dense dark green needles. Remember this tree is NOT drought tolerant.USDA Zones 6-9


The Hoop's blue spruce (Picea pungens 'Hoopsii') - This spruce tree does well in the desert southwest. Most folks in the southwest think it won't grow but with a little more care and water it will do great. This tree is a bright blue and more so with new growth. Pyramidal form that holds stiff horizontal branches with dense silvery-blue mature needles. Full sun. Fast-growing to 30 to 50 feet high, 10 to 20 feet wide. It is not drought tolerant so it does reguire regular watering especially during the hot summer southwestern months for extensive root system growth. Howerver watering can be reduced after establishment usually 2-3 years down the road. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.USDA Zones 6-9






Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens 'Glauca') - A good spruce tree that will do great in the southwest. This Evergreen conifer and has a symmetrical, pyramidal form. Blue grey pine needles. Moderate grower to 40 to 60 feet high, 10 to 20 feet wide. It can take full sun and is an excellent pine for that forest look. This tree is not drought tolerant so it does reguire regular watering especially during the hot summer southwestern months for extensive root system growth. However watering can be reduced after establishment usually 2-3 years down the road. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.USDA Zones 6-9
There are other types of evergreen trees that will do well in the desert southwest. The Afgan, Austrain, Japanese and the Pinon tree.
(All photos courtesy of Monrovia Wholesale Nurseries).

Color Your World Nurseries in Las Cruces, NM will usually have these trees and other evergreens in stock. Call us today at (575) 521-0496