Here in northwest Arizona, where the grass doesn’t
grow and there is no snow to shovel, it is easy to cut the tumbleweeds, cover the yard with gravel and consider it good. There is another option and it is actually an investment in your home. As a bonus, you can still enjoy your Saturdays and not have to worry about mowing the grass. 
The desert is dry, the desert is windy, and there are wide extremes of temperature. In short, there are challenges associated with properly landscaping a property in the Colorado River Valley. With assistance from the professionals at Baron Services, you can transform your yard into a showplace that requires little maintenance, is respectful of the fact that water in the desert is a precious resource, and that will add a splash of color as well as a touch of shade.
Proper addition of shade trees actually has a cost saving benefit as it can contribute to the lowering of summer utility bills. In low desert areas, there are a number of options that will thrive in the extreme heat without the need of extensive watering; Chilean mesquite, desert willow, African sumac, Palo Verde, willow acacia and shoestring acacia, and ironwood are a few examples. In the high desert, such as around Kingman, honey locust, Arizona ash, or honey mesquite work well.
Looking to add some color? California poppies work quite well as they are native to the area. Likewise with Indian paintbrush, are desert marigold. Cacti, succulents, and similar plants are a great option for low maintenance, low water landscaping. Barrel cactus, and in the higher desert Yucca, work well. A common mistake made by many amateur landscapers new to the area is the planting of saguaros. They are a beautiful addition but are not native to the area, and do not do well. Avoiding costly mistakes such as this is another reason to enlist the services of a professional.
Shrubs are often overlooked during landscape designing. However, they are ideally suited for low maintenance, desert landscaped yards. They can also add a touch of seasonal color. Sage, specifically Chihuahua sage, brittlebush, Baja fairy duster, Arizona rosewood, creosote, desert hackberry, and yellow bird of paradise are all excellent options.
Another option is desert climate specific ornamental grasses; Mexican thread grass, sideoats grama, deer grass, and blue grama are examples. They can soften a harsh landscape or back drop such as boulders, walls or other hard surfaces. The color of select grasses will change with the season, and provide habitat for area birds. A drip irrigation system helps them thrive, and a simple annual cutting will stimulate and rejuvenate growth.
If your yard looks our cover photo, and you want to add some life to the homestead, perhaps its time to give Baron Services a call.
Written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America