Little Man Loves Spring

2008-04-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Lynn's favorite piece of garden art , Little Man, stands tall among her Bachelor Buttons, Bells of Ireland, Nicotiana and Nasturtiums. Little Man was brought to the U.S. by an acquaintance who visits artisans in Vietnam and returns with fun, funky work he's collected there. We often offer the work at Southwest Gardener.

Wild About Lupine

2008-02-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

Some years we hit the wildflower jackpot, and this year is a true winner. Here's what happens when the desert gets steady winter rains, mild temperatures and a bit of luck (always luck with gardening). These Arroyo Lupine - Lupinus Succulentus - were scattered as seed in mid-October in Amy's central Phoenix backyard. The seeds were watered about every 10 days until mid-November and have been totally ignored until now. This stunning display is 3 weeks old on March 12. What you can't see is that the Lupine extend around the right side of the red Eremophila Bush (commonly known as Valentine). BTW, the Valentine is a wonderful landscape plant - cold hardy, an early spring bloomer and its dark green leaves offer an unusual contrast with the other arid-adapted plants. Plus, hummingbirds love it.

Here's some info on Arroyo Lupine, courtesy of Wildseed Farms: "This plant is a hardy annual native to California and the western U.S. The amount of fertility and moisture generally dictates the height of the plant. Flowers are concentrated on an upright spike with rich purple blossoms." Best of all, this seed prefers most clay or heavy soils in full sun.

A big thanks goes to my friend Maggie Cobb for generously collecting and sharing her Lupine seeds. Maggie collects seed pods each year in big paper bags and then listens as the pods pop open inside the bag. It sounds just like popcorn.

In Phoenix these seeds are best planted in the fall and we always carry them at Southwest Gardener.

New Treasures for Spring

2008-02-04T14:25:00.001-08:00

We just got back from a major market. Shopping is hard work (stop snickering), but we try to have fun, especially when it comes to new discoveries. While we admire everything we buy, we each tend to have our favorites. Here are some things that are in the store now or will be here soon. E-mail us at info@southwestgardener.com or call the store toll free at 877-315-9301 if we can answer any questions.

Recycled critters: Lynn says these are her favorite new garden art. A variety of animals are constructed from re-used, colorful and rusty metal. There are roosters and rabbits, pigs and goats, coyotes and roadrunners. We are sure you have never seen anything like these.

Happy Glass: For Amy, it is all about bling - she loves the way glass looks in a garden. We were lucky to meet a glass-blowing couple from Iowa who make what we call "squiggles" that go on a stake. They are colorful, curvy pieces of glass that will look great in among slipper plant or tall grasses.

Spring Bags: You will flip for our gorgeous bags made of reinforced silk and adorned with flowers. These treasures come in an assortment of colors and shapes - there are big totes and small totes, backpacks and small sling bags to hold just a credit card, lipstick and cell phone - perfect for a night on the town. There are also matching silk jewelry boxes which would make great Valentine's or Mother's Day gifts. You just have to see them all to choose!

Skeeter Screen: This natural fragrance formula reed diffuser is an easy, effective and safe way to deter mosquitoes. You just slip the reeds into the bottle provided, then the oils are naturally absorbed by the reeds and released into your outdoor environment. Or, if you prefer a repellent you can take camping or to the beach, use the Croclight Candle in a tin. Both are citronella free.

Ceramic Tiles: These irresistible red ceramic wall tiles will hang indoors or out. The botanical relief designs stand out on these highly glazed 10 x 10-inch tiles. Hang one or use multiples in a grid for a "wow" effect.

Candleholders: Come see the variety of wall, tabletop and free-standing candleholders for your home and patio space. We also found the prettiest ceramic candle luminaries with lids that stand 15 inches tall. They all make quite a statement.

Farm Market Bags: We know many of you regularly frequent farm markets (we love seeing you there) so we got these charming canvas bags to help carry that load of local fresh food. Choose from three motifs: A farm basket of groceries, a big head of lettuce or a classic blue bike.

Glass Hummer Feeders: Our glass-blowing artist friends also made us some stunning hand blown feeders for hummingbirds. The design is terrific because they have put a tiny ball bearing in the feeder spout to help stop dripping. Smart thinking!

Plant Nannies: These self-watering systems are the perfect tool for those of you with houseplants or who travel a lot. Set the terra cotta reservoir in soil then fill the top with water. As the soil dries, water is released deep in the root. Here is the fun part. Plant Nannies come in three styles and sizes - one lets you use a plastic soda or water bottle as the top, another comes with a pretty glass ball water holder and the third is set up to hold a recycled glass wine bottle. What a perfect hostess gift, a bottle of wine and a Plant Nanny for her garden!

OXO Garden Tools: We love OXO tools in the kitchen and the garden line has proven to be just as sturdy and economical. This year there is an adjustable hand rake for those really hard to reach places in your landscape. The houseplant tool kit comes with everything you need - snips, trowel, cultivator, scoop and saw-tooth transplanter that all fit neatly into a handy carrying case. OXO also makes a comfy pair of bypass shears and floral scissors.

Terrific Toys: This is the perfect time to be outdoors so we gathered in a few of our favorite playthings for children. Pocket Kites are great for a day in the park or on the beach. Bouncy Balls are cheerful and fun to follow. Or introduce your youngster to an old-fashioned jump rope.

Hose Nozzles: Lynn found these really nice spray hose nozzles late last year and customers love them. One is a standard trigger spray nozzle, one offers a wide fan spray and the third is a watering wand that allows you to stop water flow when you need it.

A Great Plant Guide

2007-11-26T13:22:00.000-08:00

As planting season nears remember to pick up a copy of Kirti Mathura's book "Arizona Low Desert Flower Gardener." This gem is a great planning tool for all areas of your garden. It will help you with the challenges of finding just the right plant for your available space. Its unique layout and easy-to-see illustrations let you visually mix and match plants to find the texture and color you need.

We try to always have "Arizona Low Desert Flower Gardener" on hand at the shop. You may want to pick up a few copies because this you'll want one as a reference tool and at least another for your favorite gardener.

We've Got a New Look!

2007-09-09T15:25:00.000-07:00

After 9 years we decided to close for the month of August to do a little patching and painting, and the results are fantastic. We were also able to expand so the store now faces into the courtyard of our quaint building. Here's a picture of the outside and one of the inside as you first enter. Isn't it great?

The inside is wonderful, too. The space is colorful, light and airy, and our customers are raving about how easy it is to see all the new treasures. We attended a show this summer featuring hand-made in the U.S.A. pieces and the new artwork is stunning.

We just re-opened this week and we're looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Platters make great gifts

2007-07-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

It's the dead of summer but lots of folks have stopped in for wedding or commitment gifts and nice things to take friends and relatives you are visiting while escaping the heat.

One popular item is the desert platter handmade by local artist Jim Sudal. These stunning pieces are thrown from red clay and then glazed in one of three patterns: an agave, aloe or prickly pear. The color and texture is beautiful. They look great hanging on a wall or sitting in a plate stand and come in three sizes. Jim lives just down the street in Scottsdale and works his magic from his home studio.

Another option has been the Southwest-styled doorbells in bright red and green hues. The designs include saguaro cactus, quails, kokopelli, chili pepper or just nice hand-glazed tiles. We carry house numbers that match the doorbells at the store.

Mosquito control is vital

2007-04-10T10:27:00.000-07:00

Springtime is great. Flowers are blooming, breezes are light and the night time temperatures make you want to sleep with the windows open. The only downside I can think of are the mosquitoes. This is their breeding season and with them comes the possibility of a serious illness - West Nile Virus. Stagnant water, dead birds and green pools are all breeding sites for the mosquitoes that carry the virus. In Maricopa County, fogging takes place to control mosquitoes but only in those places where their activity is heaviest.

The easiest way to avoid West Nile Virus is to avoid getting mosquito bites. Here are a few simple steps you can take.

1. Wear mosquito repellent when you are outside. Also put on long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

2. Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds in and around your yard. That means make sure your birdbath water is changed daily, that there aren't any saucers of standing water under your potting bench or plants, and that your pool or pond is properly maintained.

3. Check your screens on windows and doors for holes and get them repaired.

At Southwest Gardener we've found Mosquito Dunks to be a very safe, effective biological control for mosquitoes. Each dunk kills mosquito larve for up to 30 days. The dunks are safe for use in fish habitats, flower pot saucers, bird baths, rain barrels, roof gutters and animal watering troughs. The dunks can also be broken into pieces for use in smaller water areas. They cost $6.50 for a package of two.

About one in 150 people infected with West Nile Virus will develop serious illness, so it's not something to ignore, but with a couple of simple steps you can go a long way to protecting yourself and your family.

For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm

Big, beautiful roses

2007-04-03T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hey rose lovers. Make sure you drive past the Valley Garden Center on 15th Ave. and Palm Lane this month. The roses are in full bloom and they are gorgeous. I'm not an experienced rose gardener, but I'm always amazed at the size and color of the varieties they grow at the Center. The rose garden is located two blocks north of McDowell Road in central Phoenix.

Our favorite things

2007-02-23T17:42:00.000-08:00

Our buying experiences this winter have been great and we have things we don't think you will see anywhere else.
Serene Fountains - Add water to an environment, and a natural sense of peace seems to arrive. Our new ceramic jar fountains are glazed in soft colors and adorned with leaves, lotus pads, and simple abstract designs. The larger models are perfect for an outdoor setting or a birdbath. The small fountains offer a soothing experience.
Birdbaths and pots - A birdbath is a simple way to attract wildlife to your garden. Our new U.S.-made ceramic birdbaths are eye-catching with their stunning relief designs of hummingbirds, lavender and yellow finches. The soft glazes enhance the bases and there are even pots to match.
T. Stone bells - Terry makes these clay bells and they continue to be a popular gift item. These bells are made from clay dug right here in Arizona and we have four distinct styles.
Bird stakes - Add some colorful birds to your garden this spring with these pretty plant stakes. Look for chipper robins, goldfinches and cardinals.
Wall decor - So many of you ask about ways to decorate your block walls that we are always on the lookout for interesting iron wall pieces. Come in and see our selection of trellises and beautiful iron wall medallions, metal palm fronds and clusters of metal flowers.
Outdoor carpets - Rugs for outdoor spaces is probably the hottest outdoor trend right now and we have found a nice line. Made of recycled polypropylene, they are incredibly durable and easy to clean. You can just hose them off. Better yet, they have a UV protectant to help them resist our desert sun. There is one on the store on display.
Do-it-yourself kits - Cool kits from the people at Poetry Stone let you make your own stepping stones, garden plant markers and really cool stone face kits. You can fashion a Greek god or a serene Buddha that could adorn a pot or be used as bookends or even a wall hanging.
Helmut critters - These eye-catching ladybugs and turtles are made from recycled military helmets with their dents and all!
Rock Solid Love - A big, beautiful iron heart with a smooth river rock at is center. Nothing conveys love so simply. This freestanding sculpture is available in two sizes.
Colorful cactus - By the time you read this our friend Sergio will have delivered a new shipment of his colorful metal cactus and flower sculptures. The best part is they have no spines!

Goods for the garden

2007-02-23T17:38:00.000-08:00

Books - Four books from Sunset have great ideas, plans and pictures to inspire your gardening. Water Gardens covers just that, ponds and pot water gardens; Landscaping with Stone looks at paths, walls and rock gardens; Container Gardening offers ideas for striking arrangements; and the Western Landscaping book offers how-to advice on everything from structures to plants to artful decoration.
Hummer info - A new book out from the Western National Parks Association called Hummingbirds answers all your questions about these magnificent birds. It is filled with colorful pictures but our favorite feature is the illustrations of how these tiny birds fly. Very cool
Atlas nitrile gloves - These tough, breathable gloves were first recommended to us by Master Gardener extraordinaire Pam Perry. They are lightweight, durable and fit like a second skin. We promise.
Radius tools - Oh, oh, oh, you are going to flip over this new line of tools. Radius tools are truly ergonomically designed to maximize your grip and reduce stress on your wrists and hands. They are easy to hold and lightweight but they are durable. Come grab one and see for yourself. We have cultivators and a long-handled transplanter.
Adjustable hats - We added Sloggers hats to our extensive lineup of head and face protection. They are nice, light cotton and are adjustable. Best of all they offer UPS sun protection of 50.
Garden clogs - Check out the adorable garden clogs with the cutout flower pattern on the vamp. They also just happen to match the Sloggers hats. These flexible shoes also have a great sole grip to avoid slips and are available in red, blue and bright green.
Pharm Solutions - This insecticidal soap is now certified as 100 percent organic so you can rid your plants of thrips, whiteflies, aphids and other pests safely and effectively. All ingredients are pure and natural.

Web Special Interest Items!

2007-01-25T19:54:00.000-08:00

Friendship Bell - This bell rings with the joy and laughter of friendship, and like an outstretched hand it offers the peace and safety of a trusted relationship. This cast bronze piece lets friends know that all are welcome in your home. A wonderful wedding or commitment gift.
Great Gnomes – This is a true Gardener’s Gnome, even better looking than the ones Amy saw on her trip to Germany. He’s made of cast Aluminum and stands 13 inches tall. His buddy, the Farm Gnome, stands a bit taller at 14 inches high. Each prefers to be outdoors, tending a garden and we bet you have the perfect spot.
Mosaic Garden Bench – This iron dragonfly bench adds whimsy and color to any garden setting. The seat has a lily pond pattern while brightly patterned dragonflies dance on the backrest. Best of all, it’s comfortable for sitting. Hooray.
Here Kitty, Kitty – Meet Boo the Birdwatcher, Felicity the Flowery Feline and Patty Fat Cat. Each is cast in durable stone with an antique gray finish that works well indoors or outside. And they each come with their own distinct personality – just like the real thing! Add link.
Garden Incense – A best-selling item on our website, heavenly sticks of outdoor incense by Votivo come in scents that are almost better than nature. Whiff of Fuji Apple or Pear will have you thinking you’re walking through an orchard.
Desert Platters - Artist Jim Sudal’s ceramics truly reflect the spirit of the Southwest. Each of his platters is hand-thrown so no two pieces are exactly alike. Clay and glazes are non-toxic and completely food and plant safe. There are tree great designs: Agave, Aloe and Prickly Pear.
Just for You! - It’s no secret dry air is tough on your skin. Ranch Hand Cream is a solid balm that does wonders to soothe dry, cracked hands and feet. Plus, your cuticles, elbows and knees will thank you. Trail Boss Bar does the same with the added benefit of arnica and St. John’s Wort to ease pains and bruises. All-natural ingredients melt right into your skin.
Weather wondering – Here in the desert we all seem obsessed with the temperature (which is kinda strange given that it’s usually either oppressively hot or just plain nice.) To get an accurate reading on outside temps from inside your home any time of the year, try our great mosaic thermometer recently featured in Phoenix Home & Garden magazine.
Buddha – There’s a bold new Buddha in town and he’s sitting here at Southwest Gardener. He’s a bright, happy fixture in the store, plus we think he’s cute. We like his countenance and hope you do, too. Add link.
St. Francis – Our beautiful St. Francis continues to outsell any other statuary. He’s a true delight in any setting. Originally carved from wood this handsome version is cast in stone resin to withstand the elements. He’s great in a garden or a home and stands 25 inches tall.

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