The Best Plants for Pool Landscaping

We all know the importance of landscaping around our homes; it increases property value and brings a personal touch to each home. But what about landscaping around your pool? It is just as beneficial.  Not only does it add more property value, it can also cool down the water within a pool by shade provided by trees. Refreshing!

Summer is the perfect time to update your pool area and relish the relief from the summer sun. By planting in the summer, your new landscape will be established before the colder winter weather. Don’t want to dig and plant in the summer? No problem, we have you covered! Moon Valley Nurseries has seasoned planting crews that work year-round and will make sure your new pool paradise is perfect.

No matter the style or design you have in mind, we can do it. Our nursery pros can help you select all the right palms, trees, and plants for your dream look. Moon Valley Nurseries custom-grows all our inventory from our own local grow farms, to ensure that your perfect palm, tree, or plant will thrive in the Arizona area. So, why not have yourself a stay-cation and enjoy your own personal oasis! Keep on reading to see what our pros suggest for landscaping around a pool.

Palm Trees

Want the look of a resort or tropical oasis? Palm trees it is! Palm trees are great choices for around a pool since they are very clean, there is very little to no litter. Another aspect worth mentioning is that palms have small fibrous root systems, so the roots won’t crack concrete surrounding the pool. Piru Queen Palms have the go-to tropical look that we all love! This durable evergreen palm has classic feathery, glossy, bright green palm fronds that provide much needed shade. Pygmy Date Palms are ideal for tight spaces or as a container palm. We love to use these to fill in under taller palms and trees. Mexican Fan Palms have large, fan-shaped, bright green fronds with shorter leafstalks that feature a red streak on the underside, adding interest to any landscape. These are perfect palms for tropical or resort style landscapes. Sago Palms are smaller in size and have a slow growth rate, make it an ideal choice for any landscape around your pool. We like to use them under bigger palms and trees as well as planted in pots.

Shade Trees

Shade is a welcome addition to any pool retreat, especially in 100+ degree weather we so often get in Arizona. By planting a shade tree or two around a pool, you can naturally cool down the water; making it even more refreshing! One of our absolute favorites is the Ficus due to its versatility and ample amounts of shade. This evergreen, single or multi-trunk tree features white bark and lush green foliage that goes well with variety of landscape styles, so feel free to plant with palms.  Evergreen Ash, or Shamel Ash, is a large, fast-growing shade tree that is easy to grow and maintain. It has classic, large-leaved, green foliage that creates ample shade and is a staple in any landscape. Fruitless Olive trees will bring the look of the Mediterranean to any home. This drought tolerant evergreen tree is a great focal point around a pool and will provide plenty of shade to enjoy.

Picture-Perfect Additions

There is more to landscapes than just trees and palms. Want to add color and texture? Moon Valley Nurseries has what you need. Birds of Paradise are great for pops of color around a pool. This large, tropical, ornamental plant produces eye-catching bright orange and blue flowers that add a tropical splash to any landscape. We also have Tecoma shrub species that are great for adding color and for planting in the summer. These shrubs bloom trumpet-shaped flowers that are sure to bring the right touch of character to your landscape – we carry Bells of Fire and Orange Jubilee. Another option for color are our varieties of Ruellia. Ruellia is a very easy-to-grow shrub with flowers that constantly bloom. Depending on the variety, bloom colors range from purple, white, and pink. Add a few succulents to create the ideal Arizona look! Succulents are great additions to poolside landscapes due to their low maintenance needs and low water use. And, with varieties of colors and textures, what’s not to love? We carry a large selection of aloes, agaves, and so many more types of succulents.  

Want to see more? Visit your local Moon Valley Nurseries to see even more options for landscaping around your pool. Our nursery pros can help you select trees, palms, and plants and design your perfect poolside getaway. Let us help make your stay-cation dreams come true!

Landscaping in August may seem challenging. After all, going outside can feel like you’ve just stepped inside an oven. However, this is a great time to enjoy your trees and plants that attract birds and butterflies to your yard. After all, they don’t seem to mind the heat! How about your trees and plants? The extreme Arizona heat can be tough on some of our landscape material. There is some good news on the horizon. Yes, cooler days will be here before we know it! However, until those better weather days arrive, we still need to pay close attention to our landscape.

Moon Valley Nurseries is a local Phoenix tree nursery that has been around for over 20 years, so we know how to handle the heat better. Our nursery pros live and work here, too, and have the perfect tips and suggestions for a healthy landscape during the grueling month of August. Read our tips, and most importantly, hang in there!

Tips for a Healthy Landscape

Watering: We have probably noticed the Monsoon clouds building and the humidity soaring. The climate in the Phoenix area can change in minutes. The temperatures are going to be high, so we will want to apply water to our landscape. Read about our Best Watering Practices by clicking on this link – it can answer some of the most common questions, such as “how much water do I use” and “how often do I water.”

Trunk Protection: With so much sunlight in the summer, getting sunburnt is more prevalent this time of the year. We can prevent sunburn by applying sunscreen on our bodies, and recover with some Aloe Vera. What about the trees in our landscape? Young trees, particularly citrus, need some protection. We can provide protection and prevent sunburn to our trees with a Protective Tree Wrap. We also recommend staking any age tree to provide stability when the high winds arrive.

Fertilize: The material in our landscape is dealing with the stressors of August. All those higher temperatures are causing the trees and shrubs in our landscape to show stress. Moon Juice can help with the heat stress, and when applying it, can also prime the roots for fall feeding.

Lawn Care: This is the right time to raise the mowing height to 2.5 to 3-inches. For our Bermuda lawns, we will want to water 1-inch per week. We can also give our lawns a boost with our fast-acting Moon Royale turf fertilizer. For our palms showing stress, we will want to apply our Super Palm Juice.

Mulch: Make sure to check the mulch around your plants. If you notice there is little or no mulch, be sure to put in a 3 to 4-inch layer, which can conserve moisture. Mulch any area that is receiving direct sunlight on the dirt. Mulching allows the roots to keep moist and cool.

Garden: This is the time to start your fall vegetable garden. Plant vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, carrots, collards, lettuce, and other cool-season vegetables. We will also want to remove any old vegetable plants that have stopped producing; doing this will help to eliminate pests and diseases from your garden. Make sure to stay on top of weeds, remove them, and do not let them go to seed.

Recommended Trees for the Month of August

We can plant trees that can liven up our Arizona landscape. Besides beautifying our yards, these trees can also provide lots of shade that can bring some relief during these long and hot, sun-filled days!

Indian Laurel (Ficus): It’s summertime, and Indian Laurel trees can come to the rescue in more ways than one. This Ficus tree is valued by many for its capability to provide shade. These evergreen trees thrive in a location with plenty of full sun exposure. People throughout Phoenix appreciate the wide-spreading canopy and lush green foliage that adds color and plenty of shade to landscapes. Buy a few mature specimens and have them properly placed around your home so that they can help reduce the temperatures inside your home. Do you want to make your yard much more private? Our Indian Laurel Columns are ideal evergreens for creating privacy. Line them up along a fence line and get ready to enjoy a yard without nosy neighbors getting into your business. And, those with homes near busy streets are sure to appreciate the way that these trees create a natural sound barrier. These beauties can handle the summer heat, too!     

Tipu (Tipuana tipu): If you are looking for one of the best shade trees you can find, look no further than the Tipu tree. These are colorful flowering trees, and mature specimens can provide lots of shade. These tropical-looking trees grow fast, feature feathery, bright bluish-green foliage, and have a high canopy that offers a beautiful resting spot to escape the sun. They also put on a show when the golden blooms arrive, covering the tree in vibrant hues that transform the look of any environment. These are ideal trees for our environment as they thrive in intense desert heat. We can plant Tipuana tipu trees as street trees, near the patio, and in any place where a beautiful shade tree is desired!

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia): Bring a splash of vibrant color to your landscape – plant Crape Myrtle trees! We custom-grow the best-quality Lagerstroemia trees with flower colors that range from dark purple, dark pink, white, and red! They bloom from late spring through the summer, creating a happier landscape that can help us during the summer. They please the eyes year-round thanks to its attractive bark and fall color. These stylish, smaller trees are the perfect size for any landscape. Crape Myrtle trees love fun sun exposure, and they are drought-tolerant once established. We are the grower that only grows the best Lagerstroemia for our area – ours are mildew resistant varieties!

Piru Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana): Every backyard oasis needs a Piru Queen Palm. Our Queen Palm is used to create a tropical paradise, complete with shade! These palms are heat tolerant and feature dark green palm fronds that add a calming vibe to any environment. These are low-maintenance trees that can fit into any landscape style. They are also prized for having a look that complements all types of architectural homes and buildings. Add curb appeal by planting them in the front yard. Our Piru Queen Palms are grown from superior seedlings with better genetic traits, so you get the hardiest palm you will find.

Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus): Summertime is the right time for Vitex. Get ready for the butterflies. During the summer months, it puts on a show as the purple blooms arrive at every growth tip. This purple delight is the perfect size for any landscape. It features turning, twisting trunks and a statuesque appearance that makes it an excellent choice to light up with nighttime landscape lighting. In addition to its bright flowers are its long, dark grayish-green leaves that make them a favorite for yards in Arizona. We like to plant them as a single lawn specimen, in rows along a border or driveway, and as a small patio tree. Easy to grow and maintain. Plus, it is very drought-tolerant once established.

Allow the Moon Valley Nurseries planting crew to do all the work! We offer free planting on mature specimen trees and larger so that it cannot be any easier to have the yard you have always wanted, no matter what season we are in.

It’s summer, and this can be a stressful time for trees and plants. After all, the days are longer and the sun is stronger. Here in Arizona, it’s well over 100 degrees outside. In fact, it seems like a hot air blow-dryer is on full force for three months straight. No doubt that this time of the year can be tough on the material in our landscape. Heat stress is no joke for humans, as well as trees and plants in our landscape.

So, what is the best time to fertilize in the summer? Just like watering, we will want to fertilize the trees and plants that need it early in the morning. Fertilizing early in the morning can reduce the possibility of burning plants. Be sure to read the label and apply it correctly.

All hope is not lost. Before we know it, we’ll have that beautiful weather once again. But, let’s talk about the weather we are having right now and its effect on our landscape. If your trees and plants are showing the signs of stress, we have a solution – Super Charged Moon Juice! Our Moon Juice fertilizer is easy to use and does wonders for trees and plants.

Use Moon Juice Immediately After:

• New Transplanting
• Heat Stress
• Freeze or Wind Damage
• Any other stressful event

Why Moon Juice is Beneficial to Plants and Trees in the Summer and All Year Long!

Using a fertilizer such as our Super Charged Moon Juice can ensure that your trees and plants stay healthy and protected from heat stress all summer long. In warm weather soils, the earth is deficient in the three most important micronutrients that every tree and plant needs – Iron, Manganese, and Zinc. Here’s where the Moon Juice benefits kick in. This fertilizer contains these three most important micronutrients, with the added nutrient of thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B1), which has beneficial effects on new plantings.

Moon Juice is formulated with our proprietary Furst liquid technology, which helps to maximize the potential of the trees in your landscape. This proprietary formula includes a blend of organic enzymes and amino acids which can stimulate the growth signals within the plant. It can also help with nutrient uptake and it enhances the plant’s ability to ward off disease. And, one of the most important things for this time of the year – it helps trees and plants recover from the stresses that are caused by extreme heat!

What makes Moon Juice even better is that it is so easy to use. Simply mix with water and apply it to the root area. Make sure to read the easy-to-follow instructions as application rates vary by the size and type of plant. Remember to always water your trees and plants thoroughly after applying any fertilizer and nutrients.

Fertilizer for Lawns

Summer can be the toughest time for our lawns. Besides the heat taking its toll on our beautiful lawn, we also need to deal with insects. We can protect our lawns from the summertime heat and insects in so that we can continue entertaining our guests in the backyard. Encourage new growth when you apply fertilizer. Do not over-fertilize and be sure to apply the fertilizer to the grass in the evening or early in the morning.

Don’t Forget to Add Mulch

People tend to overlook the benefits of mulch. Mulching is an excellent way to care for your trees and plants in the summer. First, it can help keep the soil cool and reduce surface evaporation. Reducing surface evaporation increases the soils ability to retain moisture; doing this can cut down on the amount of watering you need to do. Eventually, mulch breaks down, which will then provide nutrients to the soil. Last, but not least, mulch can keep weeds to a minimum. Less weeds in the landscape is always going to be good news. After all, no one likes to pull weeds in the summer!

Don’t let the heat of the summer keep you from enjoying a thriving landscape. Visit your nearest Moon Valley Nurseries location and pick up some Super Charged Moon Juice! Also, be sure to check out our entire line of beneficial fertilizers for summer, fall, winter, and spring. We have got you covered for all your landscape beautification needs.

You can sense it when it feels like you’re on display in your personal outdoor space. It’s a feeling that can make it a little harder to relax and enjoy your front yard. With the right evergreens, you can create a fortress that feels peaceful, and most of all, private. Planting for privacy is a breeze with evergreen trees.

Using trees to create privacy in your front yard means that you can add color, texture, form, and you can incorporate them into your landscape’s design. It’s a natural privacy solution that provides plenty of peaceful solitude.

Yes, you could install an expensive fence or build a wall made from brick, stone, or some other solid material. The thing is, those tall fences and walls can make us feel confined in our space. Not to mention that there could be restrictions based on height, placement, and style. Plus, many man-made fences and walls can become an unsightly eyesore over time.

Some Benefits that Evergreen Trees Bring to the Front Yard

• Instead of, or in addition to, fences or walls, they can create a natural yard boundary.
• They can block viewpoints from neighbors or street traffic and unwanted views.
• They can create a natural windbreak to protect your property from high winds.
• Can create a natural sound barrier – ideal for properties near busy streets.
• Enhances the architectural design of your landscape design.

Five Best Evergreens for Your Yard in Arizona

Evergreen trees hold onto their leaves all year long so that their foliage can add wall-to-wall privacy year-round. As they mature, evergreens create a consistent look that makes them an ideal privacy screen. They do much more than create a private yard. Evergreen trees help absorb ambient noise, too. Privacy never looked so good! Here are five of the best front yard landscape trees for front yards in Arizona – all available at your nearest Moon Valley Nurseries location.

Indian Laurel (Ficus nitida): One of the best evergreens you can find is also one of the best trees for making a privacy hedge. Yes, our Indian Laurel Columns are a favorite throughout Arizona. We use them to block out unwanted views, road noise, and create a private front yard. They are super green, so we like to plant them along a fence where they create instant privacy with a lush green background. These evergreens are water-wise trees that love the heat and thrive in our desert environment. There is no doubt that Indian Laurel Columns are perfect for creating a living wall. They are also ideal for providing shade. Ask us about how proper placement around the home can create privacy and help lower your utility bill.

Carolina Cherry (Prunus caroliniana): These evergreen trees love the heat and thrive with full sun exposure, so they are perfect for yards in Arizona. We offer the ‘Compacta’ strain, which is more densely branched and easily tamed so that it is an ideal tree for creating a living privacy screen. Its dark green foliage forms a lush background. Many people feel that its bright green foliage has a scent reminiscent of maraschino cherries. Plus, beautiful white flowers bloom in spring, with a fragrance that is pleasing to the senses. Plant them along a border as a solid privacy barrier that is also a superb windbreak.

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana): Live Oak is another of our beautiful evergreen trees to consider for privacy. These are long-lived trees with dense, gray/green foliage that can block unwanted views. Besides creating privacy, these evergreens feature a wide-spreading crown that can provide lots of shade. These trees are also noted for being very drought tolerant once established, and for the minimal care required to keep their good looks intact. Plant one in your front yard and let your children explore the sturdy limbs without nosy neighbors getting into your business.

Olive Tree (Olive europaea): Fruitless olive trees are ideal evergreens for Arizona landscaping projects, especially if the job is to create privacy. These trees have been cultivated for over 6,000 years and can bring the look of the Mediterranean to your home. We like to plant them in rows along a fence to create a beautiful living wall. Their gray-green and silver colored foliage is visually exciting and can provide shade, too. You can create drama highlighting their multi-trunk structure with landscape lighting. At Moon Valley Nurseries, we only grow guaranteed disease-free olive trees.

Oleander (Nerium oleander): Plant Oleander in your front yard and create a beautiful privacy hedge. This evergreen can make your yard feel cozy and look beautiful! Its dense, upright growth habit makes it an excellent screening plant. Plant them as a tidy hedge or privacy wall. Its narrow leaves are dark green, leathery, and semi-glossy. From late spring to fall, it blooms fragrant flowers, clustered at the twig or branch ends. The flowers range in color from pink to red, white and salmon, so they are a colorful addition to any yard in Arizona. Plant them along property lines, lining walkways, or driveways. Oleander creates a private front yard no matter where you choose to plant them. 

We Do the Work – Come Home to a Private and Beautiful New Yard!

It’s hot outside, let our Moon Valley Nurseries planting crew do all the work! Speak with our nursery pros and allow us to help you select the perfect evergreens to make your yard private. Plus, many of the evergreen trees and plants we grow can provide lots of shade, too. We have what you need to create a natural privacy solution, whether you have a big or small yard. Relax on your front porch and enjoy the sight of your children playing in a private yard. Plant evergreen trees for privacy and spend more quality time in your front yard.

Tips to Keep Your Landscape Looking Good All Summer Long

It’s summertime, and the living is easy. Well, the heat may be putting a bit of a damper on comfortable living, and our material in our landscape is likely showing heat stress, too. No need to panic as we are here to help!

If you have been following and keeping up with our blog, you probably have the best-looking landscape in the neighborhood. If it’s your first time reading our monthly landscape and garden tips, now is an excellent time to read up on our expert recommended tips. Our nursery pros have covered some important tips for taking care of our trees and other plants this summer.

How to Water, What to Plant, and More!

The best time to do any gardening is in the early morning or later in the day. The goal is to avoid the heat. So, do your chores when the temperatures are much more comfortable.

Watering: Early risers have an advantage in the summer. We recommend watering early in the morning, between 4 am and 8 am. Watering early in the morning reduces the evaporation loss. Deep watering is the best way to ensure that the entire root zone becomes saturated. When it comes to watering trees, be sure to saturate the soil at least three feet deep and for shrubs, drench the soil at least one foot deep. We will want to deep water with a hose every ten to fourteen days. Water your containers twice a day. If you notice white crust building up in containers, it’s salt buildup; remove and water heavily to flush out salts. 

Keep an eye out for summer drought conditions. We recommend deep watering your flower beds and vegetable gardens two to three times a week.

Fertilizing: Apply a slow-release fertilizer to containers. Feed your roses during the middle of the month to encourage more flowering. Moon Valley Nurseries has developed specialized blends of fertilizers that can give the material in your landscape a helping hand during the summer. Our fertilizers are designed to help trees, palms, and shrubs recover from any heat stress. Purchase our fertilizers at all Moon Valley Nurseries locations.

Protect the Trunk of Your Tree: Did you know that trees can get a sunburn, too? They can, and unlike humans, applying sunscreen is not going to benefit the tree. Young trees will need protection when the temperatures rise. We recommend protecting a new tree from sunburn with a Protective Tree Wrap. It is also smart to stake both young and older trees. Staking the trees will provide some stability when the high winds or monsoon comes in.

Mulching: If you are looking to keep the soil moist all summer long, we recommend applying mulch around the base of the tree. Adding a three to four-inch layer of mulch is an excellent way to retain moisture and keep your soil cool during the summer months. We will also want to keep a thick layer of mulch around the roots of trees and shrubs.

Pruning: This is the time to remove any faded or dead flowers to encourage new growth. We will want to remove annual flowers that have finished flowering.

Vegetable Garden: We will want to plant transplants of tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. This is an excellent time to start seeding lima beans, pumpkins, and squash.

Tip: If you have garlic and onions, they are ready when their tops start to bend over. After they have dried for a couple of weeks, remove their tops and store in a cool place.

Lawn Care: We recommend raising the mowing height to 2.5 to 3-inches. Also, water your lawn with one inch of water per week.

Our Experts Recommend Planting these Trees This Month

Tipu (Tipuana tipu): Anyone that is looking for a shade tree is sure to love and appreciate the amount of shade these fast-growing trees can create. These trees are a favorite throughout Arizona. They are water-wise trees that can thrive in intense desert heat. People love their year-round beauty. They feature feathery bright bluish-green foliage and put on a show when the golden blooms appear from late spring to early summer. Of course, in the summer, it’s all about the shade, where Tipuana tipu trees are star performers. Plant them as an excellent street tree or lawn tree or use them as a tree for the patio.

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana): These are long-lived trees with a beautiful spreading canopy that can block sunlight and create shade. Live Oak is an iconic tree that can live for hundreds of years. They are excellent trees for Arizona because they require little water once established. Homeowners rave about their low maintenance features and families are sure to love mature trees that offer plenty of climbing opportunities. If you want to create massive shade and a privacy screen, we recommend planting them in rows!

Chilean Mesquite (Prosopis chilensis): This is a thornless variety of Mesquite, and it’s one that features a wide canopy that can provide light, filtered shade to create a comfortable area outdoors. This tree is classic featuring soft, bright green, fern-like foliage and dark, twisting branches that add visual interest to any landscape. These trees are water-wise, so they are also an excellent choice for a dry rock garden, or planted near pathways and patios where the shade they create is sure to be appreciated by everyone. We recommend planting a few of them together as groves so that they can create a privacy screen complete with shade coverage.

Chinese Elm ‘True Green’ (Ulmus parvifolia): Plant a Chinese Elm tree on your lawn and bask in the shade it can provide! This summertime favorite grows with a wide, umbrella shape that provides a comfortable picnic area. The canopy spreads fast so that it can provide plenty of shade, even at an early age! The foliage is a lovely, dark green color that looks exceptionally beautiful in the summer.  Families are sure to love a mature True Green tree, offering the chance to climb its limbs or attach a tire swing for hours of fun.

Ficus: Shade, check. Privacy features, check. Beauty, check. It is easy to see why this is one of our most popular trees! It features dense evergreen foliage with a wide-spreading canopy that creates the shade you need to provide relief in the summer. The dense foliage can also block unwanted views and help to create a private yard. Also, if you live near a busy street, they can act as a natural sound barrier. Moon Valley Nurseries offers the best varieties for our area including Indian Laurel and Rubiginosa.

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia): Vibrant color in your landscape can make the heat a little more bearable. These small to medium trees bloom in the summertime, creating an abundance of color that paints our landscape with a variety of hues. Summertime colors range from white to red, purple and pink. Homeowners with smaller yards will appreciate its ability to fit in tighter spaces. They are drought tolerant and are sure to add instant curb appeal. Plant them in the front yard and create drama when you highlight the tree with nighttime landscape lighting!

The lush, tropical appearance and majestic silhouette of palms can bring lots of interest, beauty, shade and much more to our Arizona landscape. We can plant some of the best-looking palms in our area, such as the smaller-sized Mediterranean Fan Palm, the elegant Date Palm, and an Arizona favorite, the Piru Queen Palm, to name just a few.

To Do List

Since the weather is sweltering in the summer, we are going to water our palms more than usual. Besides watering, feeding them with the proper fertilizer is beneficial, too. And, when it comes to pruning and trimming, you can do this all year. However, for best results, hire a professional.

Watering: When the temperatures reach above 100 degrees, deep water about 4 to 5 times a week. Keep in mind that tight clay soils that don’t drain may require one less time per week. Loose, sandy soils may need a bit more water per week. A great way to check the soil is to scrape the surface at least six inches deep with a little shovel. If the soil feels dry, it is time to water some more. We recommend drip watering or using a soaker hose with a very slow trickle so that the soil can absorb the water. Let the soil dry out thoroughly, then repeat the process.

Fertilizer: Keeping palms healthy-looking can be a breeze with the proper fertilizers. Moon Valley Nurseries has taken the guesswork out with our all-purpose fertilizers with the essential micro and macro-nutrients every palm tree needs to thrive in our desert environment. Our fertilizers are very easy to apply!  

Super Palm Juice: This fantastic liquid has Magnesium, which can keep the palm looking green. Palm trees love Magnesium, and it keeps the palm from being iron deficient. It helps increase moisture, nutrient uptake, stimulates root growth, and helps protect against stress. Apply this Super Palm Juice at least once every three months for spectacular results! This is an easy to apply liquid that can reach the roots fast!

Moon Juice: This concentrated liquid contains the three most essential micro-nutrients that every tree and plant needs – Iron, Manganese, and Zinc. Palm trees love this juice because it can help them prevent and recover from the stresses caused by extreme heat.

Moon Dust: This all-purpose fertilizer can be applied monthly for optimal results. It has the essential micro and macronutrients palms need to thrive in our desert environment.

Pruning and Trimming: Make sure you use sterilized equipment to prevent contamination and spreading disease. We recommend hiring a professional to do the job of trimming and pruning.  

Palms to Plant in Arizona this Summer

Summertime in Arizona is dry and hot! Humans have adapted to live and thrive in the Phoenix heat. How about our beautiful palm trees? Water is the most crucial ingredient for the well-being of palm trees in the desert. Sure, many of the best palms in our area can handle the extreme temperatures, but when it comes to water, they will need more than what mother nature provides this time of the year.

It’s never too hot to create a tropical paradise with palms. Moon Valley Nurseries is the grower of everything we sell so that they can be planted in our summer temperatures. That’s right. Our palm trees are grown in our local climate, so they have been acclimated to our local environment!

Date Palms (Phoenix dactylifera): These elegant palms are native to the desert environment, so they thrive in Phoenix. If you are looking to add instant appeal and class to your property, you can do no wrong with these big marquee palms. Turn any landscape into a resort-style home! Line them up, and it can create plenty of shade, too. Our palms are certified disease-free and very drought hardy. Newly planted Date Palms should be watered every day for the first three days. After the first three days, allow the area of the trunk to dry completely in between watering applications.

Piru Queen Palms (Syagarus romansoffiana): These palms are super hardy and can handle the Phoenix heat with ease! Create a spectacular tropical effect by planting in groups of two to five trees in varying heights. We like to plant them around water features, gazebos, and patios where they add to the tropical appeal. And, if you have a pool, they do not have an invasive root system, so feel free to plant near sidewalks and pool decks. We know that the temperatures are going to reach above 100 this summer, so water them about four to five times a week.

Canary Island Palm (Phoenix canariensis): These natural beauties are prized for their elegant appearance. They are also called the Pineapple Palm because its crown resembles a pineapple. We sell Phoenix canariensis with diamond-shaped pattern trunks that add an instant and luxurious look to any landscape. These palms love the warm weather and thrive with full sun exposure. They are clean and very durable, too. As a bonus, they are very low maintenance palms, and we only sell certified disease-free Canary Island Date Palms. Plant them in groups for luxuriant tropical shade!

Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis): These are touted as being the hardiest of all palms. Plant them in the front yard as a focal point or poolside; they can create a tropical look to any landscape no matter where you plant them. People love them because they will rarely outgrow their space, and they are very easy to maintain. Trim them up to clear the trunk or let them grow into a shrubby form that can block unwanted views.

Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta): These classic resort-style palms have a single trunk that looks spectacular when skinned to give it a “cigar-cut” effect. Line them up along a driveway and create a grand and formal entrance. These are local favorites and one of the easiest palms to grow. They are drought tolerant once established and can adapt to a wide range of soils. These palms are versatile and ideal for planting near the pool or as an accent palm.

Moon Valley Nurseries sells certified disease-free palms that are ready to thrive in our local climate. Allow us to help you create your dream landscape with the best-quality palms in the world!

We value engineer our products, so you get the best-quality trees at the best price!

It’s June, and here in Phoenix, it is often the hottest, driest, and sunniest month of the year. Yep, temperatures are soaring, and we can plan on triple-digit days for the next few months. Since it is going to get hot, preparing for the heat is essential. The good news is that with the proper care and preparedness, our landscape will take on the summer months with minimal stress. 

Below are some tips and tasks our nursery pros put together for the month of June. Keep reading to ensure a healthy and full landscape through the summer and into fall!

Learn the Tips and Tricks from Our Nursery Pros!

Watering: Though June is the driest month, we want to be sure not to overwater. We will want to water slowly and deeply, which is 5 or 6-inches deep. Deep watering allows the entire root system to become saturated. Long and slow applications are best so that the water can penetrate deep into the soil. Be sure to let the soil dry between watering. The best time to water is in the morning, between 4 am, and 8 am. Watering during these times reduces evaporation loss.

Mulch: Applying mulch is an easy and effective way of keeping the soil moist all summer long. Apply mulch around the base of the tree. For best results, apply a 3 to 4-inch layer of mulch. Doing this can help keep the soil cool during the hot summer months and keep the soil warm during the cooler days.

Lawn Care: Keep mowing your grass. A lawn will grow faster with the warmer weather. Try to mow the grass every 5 to 6 days, and do it when it is not so hot outside. June is the time to finish seeding Bermuda and warm-season grasses. Be sure to finish seeding by the end of June.

Protect the Trunks of Trees: Trees can get sunburnt, and unlike people, sunscreen will not help. We recommend protecting the trunk of the tree with a protective tree wrap.

Fertilizing: Moon Valley Nurseries has developed fertilizers that can help trees and shrubs recover from any heat stress. Visit your nearest location and any of our nursery pros will be glad to assist you.

Weeds: The heat won’t stop the weeds, so don’t let it prevent you from sticking to your weeding plan. Keep removing weeds and do it often. Most of all, be sure to pull weeds before the temperatures soar. We can use pre-emergent herbicides, and when applied, we can reduce the number of weeds that need to be pulled! 

Vegetable Garden: This is the time to start planting seeds for Armenian cucumbers, Cantaloupe, Muskmelon, and Sunflowers. Plant transplants such as sweet potatoes and be sure to water them both before and after they are planted.

Pruning: DO NOT prune citrus and other sun-sensitive plants as this can expose them to sunburn. You can remove faded or dead flowers from your plants. Doing this can encourage new growth. It’s a good time to remove any unwanted or vigorous branches from trees.

We grow everything in our local climate so that it is still a great time to plant certain trees and palms. If you are looking for shade trees, buy specimen size trees so that you can enjoy the instant shade they provide. Summertime is pool time in Arizona. Create a tropical paradise and enjoy splashing in a pool surrounded by beautiful palm trees that can make you forget how hot it is beyond your backyard sanctuary.

Our Experts Recommend Planting these Trees this Month

Crape Myrtle: We can add vibrant color to our arid environment with Crape Myrtle trees! These smaller ornamental trees put on a summertime show when the blooms start popping on the tree. Yep, right now, neighborhoods with Lagerstroemia are coming alive with flowers that range in color from pink to red, and white to purple. These trees love this time of year, and reward us with the beautiful colors that can make us feel good and make our yards look good, too! The show doesn’t stop. Crape Myrtle foliage will turn to a showy bright orange color in the fall. As a bonus, our varieties are mildew resistant. Look for Dynamite Red, Tuscarora, Natchez, Catawba, Muskogee, and Tuskegee varieties.

Ficus: Shade, it’s what we tend to look for when we are outside during the blazing summer months. Thankfully, Ficus trees can come to the rescue. These evergreen trees feature dense foliage that can block the sunlight! Proper placement around the home can help to reduce the temperatures inside a home. They have a beautiful canopy that can provide plenty of shade to create a comfortable outdoor area. These fast-growing trees are available as a single trunk, multi-trunk, and we have hedge columns available that can create one of the best privacy screens you can find.

Tipu: While we are on the subject of shade, we have to mention the Tipu tree. It is easy to see why these are some of the most popular trees we offer. They grow fast and have an upright growth pattern and a canopy that can create a large shade area. We love them in Phoenix because they can tolerate drought and can handle the hottest of summer days. It’s not just the shade coverage we love. Tipuana tipu puts on a show in late spring and into early summer when the golden blooms appear.

Vitex: These low-maintenance trees are the perfect size for any landscape. They are a favorite during this time of the year. From late spring and into the summer, unique purple blooms on long spikes appear, adding some much-needed color to our environment. Hummingbirds and butterflies love this tree, too. The trunk of the Agnus-castus (botanical name) tree should not be overlooked – the twisted and tangled growth pattern lends a grand appearance.

Date Palm: Create a tropical backyard oasis just in time for summertime pool parties and relaxation! The Date palm is a beauty, and it is perfectly suited for the pool area. Their wide fronds can provide plenty of shade, and they are virtually litter-free. For the ultimate look, we recommend planting them in clusters of three to five, where they can create plenty of shade and privacy, too.

Mediterranean Fan Palm: These show-stopping palms are front yard favorites and look fantastic around the pool area. We like to plant them in a location to fill in empty spots or between towering trees. People love how the trunks clump together, giving this palm a full, thick appearance.

Is your landscape ready for the summer? We can do some things to prepare for the summer sizzle so that we can have a beautiful yard throughout the hot summer season! Anyone that has experienced summer in Arizona knows that the daytime and nighttime heat can reach extreme temperatures. Mix in the low humidity and this combination can be hard on desert plants, and even the native plants of the Sonoran Desert. 

We asked our experts, and here are some things to consider. Think about these tips to prepare your landscape for the summer heat. Keep reading below, and be sure to Stay Cool!

First, let’s talk about our lawn.

Triple digits are right around the corner, and our lawn is starting to feel the heat. Don’t worry though, we can still walk barefoot in the grass. We are transitioning from winter ryegrass to Bermuda grass.

Mowing: Bermuda grass needs the sun to grow. For the grass to receive the most sun, it is a good idea to lower the lawn mower to 1-1.5 inches so that the sunlight can reach the grass. Doing this will help Bermuda grass come out of its dormancy.

Watering (Grass): Water the grass every 1 to 3 days. Also, remember to water deeply. The morning hours are nice and crisp, and the best time to water because it helps minimize evaporation and fungus.

Fertilize (Grass): We can give our summer lawn a boost using the fast-acting Moon Royale Professional Turf Fertilizer. Using the proper fertilizer on your grass is beneficial because it makes the grass handle the heat and drought better, makes it less susceptible to disease, and makes the grass more resistant to insects. Also, an adequately fertilized lawn requires less water and minimal maintenance.

Now, let’s talk about the things we should do for our landscape.

Shade Cloth: Placing a shade cloth over the tops of plants can provide relief from the sun. We like to place it over tender cacti or succulents as well as newly planted plants. A shade cloth works well over vegetable gardens, too.

Adjust watering schedule: The temperatures are going to keep rising and so will our watering needs. We want to be sure to water deeply each time we irrigate so that we can get the moisture below the surface. We want to do this because the heat and wind can dry out the surface of the soil quickly.

Check Irrigation Systems: We will want to check our irrigation system for clogged drip emitters and we will want to repair leaks.

 Mulch Roots of the Plant: Improve the soil and replenish organic mulches. Replenishing the mulch around your plants can also reduce moisture loss and keep roots cool during our hot summer months. You will want to be sure to keep mulch away from the trunk of the plant. 

Weeds: We can’t stress this enough – remove those pesky weeds! Why? Weeds can compete with your landscape plants for water.

Avoid Heavy Pruning: Let’s face it, the Arizona sun can be brutal in the summertime, so why would you want to prune the leaves and branches that create shade? Heavy pruning removes the benefits leaves and branches provide. Think of it as removing your large sun hat in the sun. It doesn’t make much sense! Only prune plants when necessary.

It’s going to be blazing hot before we know it. Get a head start on your landscape by following these simple tasks. Of course, some plants may not make it through the summer. Replant lost plants in the fall and take notes. The next time you plant, think about where you might want to plant them. Perhaps there is a better place in your landscape for your plants. Our nursery professionals will be glad to help you along and we can do all the work for you, too.

Moon Valley Nurseries has got you covered with the best plants for our area. We have a large selection of waterwise plants and trees that bring beauty to your yard. From shade trees to cacti and succulent, allow us to help you find the perfect trees and plants for the perfect spot in your yard.

It’s May, and even though it’s starting to heat up around Phoenix, we can keep our desert garden healthy throughout the month and beyond. Yes, summer is coming, and we know what that means for our area – it’s going to get hot, really hot! The good news is that we still have a few more weeks left to plant during this excellent planting season. We can plant the trees that bloom beautiful flowers and create shade! Blooming cacti and succulents can also bring a splash of color to our landscape. Spring colors are here, and we want the vibrant colors to last.

Keep cool outdoors. Once the heat and sunlight intensifies, shade trees can come to the rescue. Here in the Phoenix area, we can plant trees such as the Tipuana tipu, one of the best shade trees for our area. They can create a massive canopy of shade, which can provide relief when we need to get outside for some fresh air during the hot summers. Of course, shade trees can also help cool the warmer parts of the home. And in addition to Tipu trees, we can also plant Chinese Elm trees that thrive in hot and sunny environments – perfect for Phoenix!

We still have time to prepare our landscape for the summer. Gardening in the desert southwest does have its challenges and plenty of rewards. Our goal is to make the task of keeping our garden healthy and beautiful easier. We asked our nursery pros for some tips and tasks for a healthy landscape this month, and this is what we compiled. Read about our landscape and garden tips for the month of May below.

Gardening and Landscaping Beginners Guide (May)

How to Water: We always want to keep a close eye on the watering schedule for our yards. And with the temperatures starting to warm up, it is essential that we monitor the temperatures, too. One of the best things we can do is to water slowly and deeply. If you seed Bermuda and warm-season grasses, apply one inch of water per week. We will want to be sure to keep our deciduous fruit trees well-watered.  If you want more information, click here for our informative watering guide. 

How to Fertilize: The early part of May is an excellent time to fertilize our landscape plants. The temperature is rising, and this is the time when we notice that our winter lawns are beginning to die out slowly. Don't worry though because the summer lawn is starting to take over. We will want to fertilize warm-season lawns. As soon as the soil warms up, we can seed Bermuda and warm-season grasses. We will want to continue fertilizing our rose bushes, too. For best results, add liquid fertilizers to rose bushes every two weeks. We will also want to keep fertilizing our vegetable and herb gardens as needed.

How to Protect Trees: Did you know that trees can get sunburn? It’s true, and unlike us, lathering up our trees in sunscreen does no good. What we can do is protect the trunk of a new tree with a Protective Tree Wrap. Young trees are susceptible to sunburn and need protection when the temperatures rise. We also recommend staking both new and old trees. Staking is also beneficial once the high winds arrive. Birds love fruit trees, too. We can cover our fruit trees with netting to protect them from bird damage. It is also a good idea to put a shade cloth over tomatoes.

Getting Rid of Weeds: Controlling weeds can feel like a never-ending task. Keep to your weed removal plan, and do it often. If you are going to pull weeds, be sure to do it in the morning or late evening. Remove the weeds before it gets too hot!

How to Mulch: It’s heating up in Phoenix, but no need to panic. Mulching is going to be very beneficial during the next few months. Mulch around any area that receives direct sunlight on the dirt. We can apply mulch around heat sensitive plants, and doing this can keep the roots cool and prevent water evaporation.

What to Prune: We can maintain plant health by removing dead, damaged or diseased portions. We will want to continue removing spent stalks of aloes, agaves, and other succulents. If we want our newly planted annuals and perennials to develop more flowers, we will want to pinch back the growth. We can prolong the flowering season of our spring annuals by cutting off the old blossoms.

Vegetable Garden: May is the perfect time to plant warm-season vegetables such as okra and sweet potatoes. We can also plant pumpkin, cantaloupe, winter squash, and sunflowers. Consider adding a shade cloth for the garden.

Lay the Groundwork for Better Home Value with these Trees and Plants

Keep your landscape tasteful, and you can help increase home value. We can plant the trees that provide a comfortable space outdoors and add plenty of colors, too. Shade trees are ideal for creating an outdoor entertainment space, especially when it starts to heat up in the Valley of the Sun.

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia): Our climate allows the Crape Myrtle to explode with vibrant colors! They love the heat and are one of the few trees that can provide summer color. Plant them in any size landscape, and they can decorate your yard with shades of red, white, purple, and pink. Besides the colorful show, they can also provide shade. Homeowners and landscapers will appreciate their low-maintenance features.

Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia): This breathtaking flowering tree can bloom vibrant purple flower that can transform our arid landscape. Jacarandas are more than just one of the prettiest trees on the block. They feature unique fern-like foliage and a layered canopy that can provide some much-needed shade. These trees may look soft; however, they are very hardy trees and they can thrive during the warmer months of the year.

Piru Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana 'piru'): Plant this palm in your landscape and add tropical beauty and appeal. Our Piru Queen is custom grown in our local climate so that it is conditioned to thrive in our extreme weather cycles. These work best when planted in groups, where they can create shade and a peaceful feeling that can help you forget about how hot it’s going to be this summer.

Tipu (Tipuana tipu): If it’s shade coverage you want, look no further than the Tipuana tipu. When it starts to get bright and hot, you will appreciate the massive amount of shade it can provide! They can grow a massive canopy of shade quickly, and during the summer, they can produce eye-catching apricot-yellow colored flowers. Enjoy the great outdoors under a Tipu tree and take in the view!

Arizona Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans v. angustata): These shrubs can grow tall and wide, making them an excellent plant for fences and borderlines. They can light up your yard when the trumpet-shaped lemon-yellow flowers appear from spring to fall. Plant them in a spot that gets plenty of full sun exposure and let them grow – this is a colorful, low-maintenance shrub ideal for yards in Phoenix.

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides 'Veitchii'): Go outside, breathe in the air, and enjoy the sweet aroma of the Gardenia bloom! These low to medium-sized mounding shrubs produce sweet, fragrant blooms from late spring to fall. Their glossy, bright, evergreen foliage can add fresh color to our arid environment!   

Orange Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis): Add this beautiful evergreen to your landscape and enjoy the year-round interest it can bring! People love the easy-care attributes, and of course, the brightly colored orange flowers that are sure to attract all the right attention.

Summer is not here yet, so take advantage of this weather and take care of your landscape. Visit your nearest Moon Valley Nurseries location and purchase the things you need to take care of weeds, the proper fertilizers that keep your plants healthy, and the mulch that allows roots to keep cool and moist!

Be at Peace with the Perfect Plants

Creating a special place to relax can seem like an overwhelming task if you don’t know where to start. Our experts at Moon Valley Nurseries are here to help show and explain exactly how to create the most tranquil, relaxing meditation garden you’ve ever seen. The art of meditation goes back to around 1500 BCE and it comes from the Hindi traditions of Vedantism. Meditation is great for many reasons but our favorite reasons to meditate are to help relieve stress and clear our minds.

When you look at your backyard and see a pile of dirt or a dead lawn, that doesn’t seem relaxing to us! Imagine a backyard living and growing with beautiful trees, flowering shrubs, lacy palms blowing in the wind, and a beautiful water feature. Now that sounds like a relaxing place!

Where do you start? The first thing to start with is the perfect design. Creating your perfect meditation space is easy if you pick the right plants and lay them out properly. Start by building your area with tall trees and palms. This will give you privacy and create shade while reducing the noise of the outside world. Next begin to layer in tall flowering shrubs and dwarf palms. Doing this will add density to your garden, giving you the secluded feel you need to get into a deep state of meditation.

The final steps include using small flowering and non-flowering shrubs and ground covers to add color and vibrancy to an otherwise green area. To give you that Zen feeling, now is the perfect time to incorporate your water feature. Select one that you think has a soothing sound, nothing too loud that will be a distraction. Now the hard work is done. You can sit back and relax, clear your mind and enjoy your new meditation garden.

If you are not a landscape designer, that is ok. We have the perfect tools for you. The experts at Moon Valley Nurseries offer free in-store design consultations. We can even schedule to come out to your home for an on-sight consultation. Our experts will help you create the perfect Zen garden just for you. If you are more of the do-it-yourself type, then our Virtual Landscape Designer is perfect for you. Check it out here and start designing your meditation garden with our plants in your yard.

The Perfect Palms

Piru Queen Palm (Sygrus romanzoffiana “Piru”) – Tall lacy leaved palms that work best planted in odd numbered groups to create shade and a tranquil feeling.

Pineapple Palms (Canary Island Date Palms) – Larger growing palms with thick crowns and bases that look like Pineapples. These create shade and privacy while being extremely easy to grow.

Pygmy Date Palms (Phoenix roebelenii) – Smaller multi trunk palm trees that are slow-growing and stay small. These are perfect to plant around larger trees like the Piru Queen Palm and Pineapple Palm.

Sago Palm (Cycass revoluta) – Cycadas have been around since the Cretaceous Period and are living fossils. These palm-like plants are small with long stiff fronds. They work well planted with other palms under the canopies of trees.

Create Shade and Seclusion with These Trees

Indian Laurel Fig (Ficus nitida) – These evergreen trees have dense thick canopies that create cooling shade and give great privacy. When planted together to create hedges, they will block out any unwanted views and reduce noise, creating a private retreat.

Tipu Tree (Tipuana Tipu) – Gold blooms in late spring and again in early fall make this a perfect tree for a meditation garden. The beautiful color contrasted by green long, oval shaped leaves is a popular characteristic. This fast-growing tree provides shade and privacy, too!

Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) – These flowering trees come in many colors: red, pink, white, purple, and more! These are smaller trees with umbrella shaped canopies. Planted with palms and other shade trees, Crape Myrtles are a show stopper!

Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) – Large umbrella canopies and unique trunks make these perfect for a meditation garden. These thick trees can grow quickly requiring little care. Once planted, these trees become extremely hardy and drought tolerant.

Berrinda Ash (Fraxinus veluntina “Berrinda”) – A park-style tree with medium sized leaves, fast-growing, and easy to care for. Growing a rounded canopy, these trees are beautiful and have exceptional fall color. Berrinda Ash leaves will flutter in the wind creating a calming sound throughout your garden

Beautiful Flowering Shrubs

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) – Hibiscus have large flowers that come in many different colors: red, pink, yellow, white, and orange are some of the most popular. These plants can grow upwards of 4-6’ tall and work well with palms and other shade trees.

Lantana (Lantana camara) – Lower growing lantana species are perfect for a meditation garden. These will fit perfectly under palms and shade trees and towards the front of your layered garden. Many different color options are available at all locations.

Japanese Boxwood (Buxus) – Small leaves and a tight growth pattern make these a perfect addition to a space where you are adding texture and privacy. Green year-round and easy to care for are just some the plants characteristics.

Boxwood Beauty (Carissa macrocarpa) – These small, low growing plants have a white star shaped flower in the spring the pops against the dark green foliage. These small plants grow in a round shape staying close to the ground and look beautiful with colorful shrubs, shade trees, and palms.

Bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides) – A member of the grass family, bamboo comes in many different varieties. The best varieties to use in a Zen garden would be the clumping varieties such as Golden Bamboo or Timber Bamboo. These thick monocots create shade and add a different shade of color year-round.

Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma capensis) – Everyone is familiar with these sweet-smelling orange flowering plants. Their clusters of bright reddish-orange blooms are contrasted by thin, shiny dark green foliage. Cape Honeysuckle can grow 4-7’ tall and are easily trimmed to be maintained at your desired height. These could be planted in front of larger palms, contrasted by smaller ground cover or shorter growing shrubs to add a feeling of depth and tranquility.

Creating a meditation garden to relax has many health benefits. Clearing your mind and creating a stress-free environment can help reduce stress from daily activities. And, with the help of the experts at Moon Valley Nurseries, we can remove the stress of creating your Zen garden. Come in to any of our locations or click here to call and speak with one of our design pros. Let’s get you started on the path of relaxation!