The University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Home Horticulture:
Environmentally Responsible
Gardening & Landscaping in the Low Desert

References for Landscape Design,
Installation and Management
in the Low Desert

AMWUA - Arizona Municipal Users Association Web site: Landscaping with Drought Tolerant Plants.
URL: http://www.amwua.org/program-xeriscape.htm.

    This AMWUA page is a comprehensive site for selecting low water use plants and establishing landscaping irrigation schedules. It also lists of the excellent AMWUA color brochures of plants and typical xeric landscapes as well as reference books applicable to low desert landscaping.

Arizona Master Gardeners. (2001) Desert Landscaping for Beginners: Tips and Techniques for Success in an Arid Climate. Phoenix: Arizona Master Gardener Press.

Successful landscaping in the Southwest requires a different set of techniques than used by gardeners in most of the Country. Desert Landscaping for Beginners contains the latest research-based information from the University of Arizona, written in user-freindly language. Each chapter was written by a local expert with years of experience in that subject. ISBN: 09651987-3-1 LCCN: 00-109172

Brenzel, K. N. (ed.).(1995) Sunset Western Garden Book
    More than 6.000 plan listing keyed to 24 Western climate zones, climate maps, 2,500 color photos, illustrations, charts,and diagrams, 50,000 plant facts, complete guide to plant selection and hundreds of how-to tips and techniques. ISBN 0-376-03851-9.
Brookbank, G.(1992) Desert Landscaping. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press.
    An Encyclopedic Guide to Desert Landscape Maintenance. The book is divided into two parts: how to start and maintain a desert landscape and a calendar of maintenance tasks scheduled by season. ISBN 0-8165-120-9.
Duffield, M. R. and Jones, W. (2nd Ed. 1998).Plants for Dry Climates, How to Select, Grow & Enjoy. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.
    Personalize your garden or landscape design! Complete descriptions of more than 300 plants species, including a variety of low-maintenance and drought-resistant plants. Over 430 color photographs and useful plant charts help you choose annuals, perennial color, ground cover and trees. ISBN 1-55561-176-1.
Hannerbaum, L. (2nd Ed. 1990). Landscape Design, A Practical Approach. Englewood Cliffs NJ: Prentice-Hall Inc.
    A tutorial text on modern design practices and techniques. ISBN 0-13-522566-3.
Johnson, Eric A. (1997) Pruning, Planting & Care: How to Grow More Than 300 Native and Adapted Trees, Shrubs, Ground Covers, Vines and Flowers. Tucson, AZ: Ironwood Press.
    The first book on pruning, planting and care written for gardeners in California and the Southwest, takes the mystery out of these essential maintenance practices. It explains everything a gardener needs to know to maintain a beautiful landscape. Includes a master flowering and pruing chart to show when plants flower and when to prune. ISBN 0-9638236-5-1.
Jones, W and Sacamano, C. (2000) Landscape Plants for Dry Regions; More Than 600 Species from Around the World. Tucson, AZ:Fisher Books .
    This book includes old favorites as well as seldom-used plants with tremendous landscape potential for dry regions. Easy-reference charts present information concisely for even the busiest readers. More than 1,200 color photos. ISBN1-55561-190-7.
Kourik, R. (1986). Designing and Maintaining Your Edible Landscape Naturally. Santa Rosa: Metamorphic Press.
    This reference is unique in that it contains many practical and sensible ideas as well environmentally sensitive horticultural techniques and strategies that are covered little or not at all in other landscaping books. Information is provided on how to select plants suitable for a particular climate. Charts and additional references are provided at the end of each chapter. ISBN 0-9615848-0-7.
Kourik, R. (1992). Drip Irrigation for Every Landscape and All Climates. Santa Rosa: Metamorphic Press.
    A step by step guide on how to determine irrigation requirements, select drip irrigation components, install irrigations systems and schedule the amounts and duration of the watering cycles. ISBN 0-9615848-2-3.
Moffat, A. S., Schiler, M. (1994). Energy-Efficient and Environmental Landscaping: Cut Your Utility Bills by up to 30 Percent and Create a Natural, Healthy Yard. South Newfane, VT: Appropriate Solutions Press.
    Includes landscape designs for the four major climate zones in the U.S. and shows how to apply those designs to your property. It explains basic landscaping skills that can help anyone create and energy-efficient and environmentally friendly property. If you want to substantially lower your heating, electric, and water bills and make your whole property environmentally friendly, this book is for you. ISBN 0-9638784-0-9.
Schuler, C. (1993). Low Water Use Plants for California and the Southwest. Tucson: Fisher Books,
    This reference provides detailed descriptions plus buying, planting and watering tips for more than 200 drought-hardy, heat-tolerant plants that thrive in fragile, dry environments. IBSN 1-55561-037-4.
Soil Conservation Society of America Arizona Chapter of The Natural Vegetation Committee. (1973). Landscaping with Native Arizona Plants. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press.
    Identifies the major climatic areas of the state and describes the vegetation type occurring naturally within these areas.
Walters, J.E. and Backhaus, B. (1992) Shade and Color with Water-Conserving Plants. Portland: Timber Press Inc.
    Extensive description of more than 300 species and cultivars, more than 200 color plates. Included in each entry is a general characterization of the plant's habit, landscape uses, climate adaptation, cultural requirements, possible problems, scientific and common names, and information on propagation. Other chapters cover all aspects of planning, planting, and maintaining a beautiful and water-thrifty landscape. ISBN 0-88192-214-5.
Water Resources Research Center, The University of Arizona College of Agriculture. (1996) Desert Landscaping: Plants for a Water -Scarce Environment. Tucson: The University of Arizona
    A CD-ROM plant selector covering over 600 low water-use plants. Search by plant name, browse award-winning landscapes, compare groups of similar plants, or use the plant selector to precisely describe the plants you seek. The rich multimedia database includes plant size and growth rate, soil and sun requirements, irrigation needs, place of origin, allergens, wildlife interactions, and dozens of other useful factors. Additional information is provided through links to landscaping tips and a bibliography. For more details and ordering information, see URL: http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/pubs/cd.htm.

Other References on Gardening and Landscaping in the Low Desert

To Home Horticulture in Maricopa County, AZ
References for Landscape Design, Installation and Management in the Low Desert University of Arizona Logo
Last Updated September 10, 2002

Authors: Olin Miller, Master Gardener, Maricopa County & Lucy Bradley, Extension Agent Urban Horticulture
© 1997 The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cooperative Extension, in Maricopa County. Comments to Lucy Bradley, BradleyL@ag.arizona.edu 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040, Voice: (602) 470-8086 ext. 323, Fax (602) 470-8092

http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/library/ref-land.htm