If you live in the desert, you know that there is a lot of sun, very little rain, and as long as you have access to a nice air-conditioned area, there is no reason not to live here.
The big issue about living in the desert is how to add trees and other plants to your property. Most people don’t think that there are a lot of desert plants available, but Mother Nature is pretty cool, and she has created a number of desert trees that you can plant in your yard including the following:
- Palo Verde
- Desert Willow
- Ocotillo
- Blue Palo Verde
- Chilean Mesquite
- Date Palm
- Texas Mountain Laurel
- Desert Museum Palo Verde
- Chaste Tree
Palo Verde
There are many varieties of the Palo tree, including the Palo Verde. This tree, also known as the Foothills Palo Verde, is a very attractive tree, and it can grow up to about 20-feet tall. Each year, the Palo Verde produces beautiful yellow and white flowers, which look amazing in any yard. This is a slow-growing tree, and it can live for many decades. If you want to add the Palo Verde tree to your property, make sure it has full sun and is placed into coarse soil that is well-drained.
Desert Willow
Are you looking for a tree that is small? If so, you might want to consider the Desert Willow. This is a small tree, but it looks a lot like a real willow tree. It has narrow, skinny leaves, doesn’t require a lot of water, and it thrives in hot, dry areas. The Desert Willow is easy to grow, and it doesn’t require a lot of care. You can plant this tree almost anywhere in soil that has good drainage, but if you get more than 30 inches of rain each year, you might have to put it in a raised bed, as that could be too much water for this tree.
Ocotillo
The Ocotillo does well in dry, hot climates, and this is a tree that shows off gorgeous colors. This is a type of succulent, which doesn’t need a lot of water, and it is native to areas including Mexico and the Sonoran Desert. You have to plant this tree in well-drained soil, and it can be planted in a pot before transplanting it outdoors. If you do this, make sure you choose potting soil that is made for succulents.
Blue Palo Verde
We already suggested the Palo Verde tree, and now we are suggesting the Blue Palo Verde. This Palo tree gets its name thanks to its branches, which are blue green in color. This tree also grows a lot taller than the Palo Verde, and it requires soil that is finer. We also want to mention that it also requires a bit more rain, so if you are in a hot area with some rain, this is a great option.
Chilean Mesquite
The Chilean Mesquite is a perfect choice for those who like the look of a willow. It has drooping branches, and it is a common shade tree planted in desert areas. Native to South America, this tree requires full sun, and it should be fully dried out before you water it again. When do you, the roots must get a deep soak. It’s also worth mentioning that this tree sheds its leaves periodically, so you might need to get a rake!
Date Palm
When you live in the desert, you might not think that you can grow fruit trees, but when you choose the date palm, you can! This is a tree that has been grown in desert areas for thousands of years, and as you might have guessed, it produces delicious dates. This tree thrives in hot areas, and it could easily die if temperatures fall below 20 degrees F. If the temps fall, however, you can grow the tree in a container and bring it inside during any chilly weather.
Texas Mountain Laurel
Are you looking for some beautiful blooms in your desert yard? If so, consider the Texas Mountain Laurel. This is a slow-growing tree found natively in the Southwestern US and throughout Mexico. It loves any dry, hot climate, and it produces gorgeous purple flowers. The great thing about this tree is that it actually does better in soil that isn’t in the best condition! Just make sure that the soil is well-drained, and you shouldn’t prune this tree unless absolutely necessary.
Desert Museum Palo Verde
Another Palo tree? Yes! This time, we are suggesting the Desert Museum Palo Verde. This tree takes all of the best features of the other Palo trees out there, and then puts it all into one gorgeous tree. This is a small tree, similar to the Palo Verde, and it usually won’t grow any taller than 25-feet. The other amazing thing about this tree is the beautiful large yellow flowers, which bloom each spring. You should plant this tree in poor soil, but make sure it has good drainage. You should also make sure that this tree is watered a bit more often when you first plant it, and you need to take some time to check the pH as the tree goes through its first year.
Chaste Tree
The Chaste tree, also called the Vitex tree, has beautiful pink, white, or lilac flowers, which produce a sweet scent. The dark green leaves really look great in contrast with the colorful flowers, which will add a lot of curb appeal to your yard. This is a tree that is native to China, but it is very much at home in desert areas. This tree requires full sun, and the soil must be well-drained. You should water this tree on occasion when you first plant it, but you probably won’t have to worry about watering after it has established itself in your yard.
These are only a few of the many desert trees that you can choose for your home. These trees come in a variety of types and sizes, and there is surely a perfect tree on this list for you.