Rediscover the new "Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert" for fall planting preparations

Our most popular publication, Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert, has been relaunched. A refreshed and updated version is now available to help residents add some extra flower power by incorporating desert-appropriate, drought-tolerant plants into their yards to create a personal oasis that saves water and money.

The healthiest landscapes are diverse, and this newly released publication features over 215 plants broken into helpful and expanded categories for easy browsing. Each section—trees, shrubs, groundcovers, vines, cacti, succulents and accents, grasses, perennials, and annuals—showcases a variety of plant options to appeal to differing tastes. Additional information included in the publication are sun, water, temperature guidelines, growth rate, size, form, and unique features, including those that attract pollinators and are native to the Southwest.

Here in the Valley, most water is used outdoors in our yards. It’s essential to incorporate the surprisingly diverse selection of low-water-use landscape plants to reduce that amount. Blending this distinctive palette of colors, forms, and textures allows you to create plant combinations to suit any landscape situation while reducing outdoor water use. In other words, beautiful and resilient landscapes start with proper plant selection and efficient watering.

All plants included in this 2024 edition align with the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) Phoenix Active Management Area Low-Water-Use/Drought/Tolerant Plant List. This ensures they are the best options for our arid climate and utilize minimal water. In addition to showcasing hundreds of plants, the 90-page publication is easy to navigate and offers tips and additional information for beginners and gardening gurus alike.

The first edition of this booklet—Xeriscape Gardens: Plants for the Desert Southwest—was released in 1990. In the early 2000s, it was revamped as the Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert, but the nickname ‘The Pink Book’ remained as it does today. The book's popularity and helpful contents have continued growing, as over two million copies are now in circulation. 

Now is an ideal time to start planning for the fall planting season and looking at options for transforming your yard. The space you create will be worth it. After all, a desert-adapted landscape will save you time, water, and money while playing a valuable role in building a sustainable future for all of us.

Contact your local water conservation office  for a free copy of the updated Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert. Additionally, you can now download a complete digital version from www.amwua.org/plants . 

For 55 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities’ ability to provide their communities with assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies. For more water information, visit www.amwua.org .