Arizona Landscape Design

Here is a page of yard revamp or remodel pictures in Arizona from a licensed landscape contractor in Arizona. Arizona Living Landscape & Design 480-390-4477

Landscape Design

Before: Back Yard











After: Landscape designed with synthetic grass, rock, paver patio, paver curbing, mounding, recessed boulders, gazebo, and landscape lighting.

Flowers for Winter Color in Arizona Low Desert

This is the season for flowers in Arizona. Time to plant and enjoy the winter blooms. Below is a short list of my favorites. For a more complete list check out this website: University of Arizona

Calendula or Marigold: They come in orange or yellow colors, can take full sun, easy to grow, get 15-18" high so would be used as a focal point in the center of a bed or in the back, take minimal water, edible, make a good cut flower, attracts butterflies and reseeds. This plant can be planted Sep. through Nov. and will bloom Dec. through May in the Arizona low desert elevations.

Geranium: They come in red, purple, pink, orange, yellow, or white. Geraniums get 12-18" tall, take partial sun, lots of water, and are easy to grow. They can be planted in the Arizona low desert from Sept. through April and will bloom into June.


Pansies: They come in blue, purple, orange, yellow, white, red, and pink. Pansies get 6-12" tall, can be planted in sun to partial sun but will do better when the heat hits in partial sun, have average water needs, are edible, and are easy to grow. Pansies can be planted Oct. through Feb. in the Arizona low Desert and will bloom through April/May depending on weather.


Petunia: They come in blue, purple, yellow, pink and white. Petunias grow 6-18" tall, require a lot of water, are easy to grow, attract butterflies, and are fragrant. They can be planted Sept. through March and will bloom Oct., Nov., March, April, and part of May. They are frost sensitive and will die off with frost and need to be replanted. May survive light frost if covered.


Snapdragon: They come in purple, red, pink, yellow, and white. Snapdragon will grow 6-36" tall. These are the long stalk type flowers you see in the center or back of arrangements. They do best in full sun, average water, easy to grow and make a good cut flower. Snapdragons can be planted Oct. through Feb. and will bloom from Nov. into May.


Sweet Alyssum: These come in white, blue, pink, or easter bonnet. They are low growing and make a very nice border flower. They do well in full sun to partial shade, take quite a bit of water, are easy to grow and have a nice fragrance. They can be planted Oct. through March and will bloom Oct. through May.


For best results and an abundance of foliage and blooms use lots of mulch and a good pre-plant fertilizer like 16-20-0 ammonium phosphate. Water only enough to keep the soil slightly moist or slightly dry. Too much water causes fungi and will kill the plants just as quickly as not enough water. Also remember if the weather calls for a heavy frost or even a light one cover the flowers with a sheet all the way to the ground. This will help to ensure they stay alive and bloom all winter.

Contact a local Landscape Designer

Arizona Desert Fall Planting Guide

It's fall out there and the weather is finally starting to cool off some. As the southwest desert cools down we need to make some changes in our garden for a winter planting season. Below are some guidelines taken from Home Depot for fall:

1. Get the garden ready for fall crops by adding organic matter such as compost and digging it into the soil to a depth of 12–18 inches.

2. Start watering less often as temperatures begin to drop. Add a rain barrel to collect water from fall monsoons to use in the garden.

3. Evaluate your landscape and make a list of plants that add color, shade or other desired features. October is prime planting time in the desert.

4. Sow wildflower seeds. Buy a seed mixture or choose individual kinds that will thrive in desert conditions. Prepare the soil before planting by removing all weeds and grasses.

5. Prune trees and shrubs that get damaged during the fall monsoon season. Remove broken limbs, cutting them back to the next side branch so you don't leave an unsightly stub.

For all of your Arizona Landscaping needs call a licensed contractor. Arizona Living Landscape & Design 480-390-4477

Fall Plant Guides Arizona

In the fall there are several things to consider with your plants.

1. Ryegrass overseeding - done in late September through early November.
2. Fertilize your citrus trees. This is the final feeding of the year and will help improve the size of the fruit. Spread the fertilizer around the outer edge of the drip line and water immediately. It should soak 3 feed deep throught the tree's root zone.
3. Watch your Agave's. If they have been infested with the Snout Weevils this year, they will fall over in a rotten mess. If so, dig them up and dispose of them before the infection spreads.
4. Spread compost in your garden beds. It is time to spread around 4-6" of compost in your garden and mix it in the existing soil. Compost should be spread in your garden in fall and spring every year.
Call a Arizona licensed landscape contractor. 480-390-4477

Christmas Cactus Bloom Preparation

Time to think about your Christmas Cactus Blooms. Christmas Cacti (Schlumbergera russelliana) will start setting buds to flower in time for the holidays. Apply a phosphorus fertilizer in September to promote the bud development and water well. Each evening place the plant in total darkness for 12-14 hours until early October, if possible. Move the plant in bright light but not direct sun during the day. Water when the top inch of soil dries out. It may take 4-8 weeks to bud.

Fall Overseed of Bermuda Grass with Rye

It's that time of year again. Time to think about preparing your yard for fall over seeding with Rye grass. Bermuda Grass will stay green usually into November but as soon as the frost hits, Bermuda will go dormant until Spring. Many Arizonan's over seed their lawn with Winter Rye grass. Rye grass looks and feels very different from Bermuda Grass and will give your yard year round enjoyment, in addition to keeping the weeds at bay in your lawn. We usually over seed in early October.
1. If you plan to over seed this fall, the first thing to do is not fertilize your Bermuda Grass 4-6 weeks before over seeding. You do not want it to be actively growing when it is scalped.
2. Plan to over seed in late September through early November when night time temperatures are below 60 degrees.
3. Cut your watering schedule down by half a few weeks before overseeding.
4. Stop mowing your lawn one week before mowing.
5. The day of overseeding you will scalp your lawn to about 1/2" high and remove all clippings.
6. Spread the Rye seed according to package directions.
7. Cover seed with mulch, composted manure, or grass clipping to aid in moisture and keep the birds away.
8. Water 3-4 time daily for 5-10 min. until the seeds germinate in 5-7 days.

After the third or fourth week, you can gradually reduce your watering to every 3 to 7 days in Nov. and Dec. and every 14 days for the rest of the season, depending on rainfal, etc.

You may mow y our ryegrass after is has grown 2" tall but only mow to 1.5". Do not fertilize until after the first mowing.

For assistance on your fall ryegrass overseeding call a licensed landscape contractor. Arizona Living Landscapes operates in the east valley: Queen Creek, Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler Arizona. 480-390-4477

Summer Gardening Tips August

Fertilize roses less often and moisten soil to a about 1 foot when watering during the extreme summer heat. Water in the morning to prevent disease so the leaves will be dry in the evening.

Mulch and water landscape plants that product ornamental berries in the fall. If you water properly no, you will have a full set of fruit by fall.

Prune your shrubby flowers such as Vinca to promote flower growth in the fall. Cut the stems back to just above where a side branch emerges from the stem. Water well and fertilize.

Walk across your lawn looking for dry areas. If you can see your foot for more then a few seconds then you need to water more. Check out our watering guide for Bermuda grass blog. http://azlandscape.blogspot.com/2008/06/watering-your-bermuda-grass-lawn.html

For Sprinkler Repairs or adjustments, call a licensed landscape contractor.