It is spring time in the Mojave Desert and it is time to plant trees and bushes. In my almost 40 years living in the upper reaches of the Mojave Desert above 3500 feet, I have tried to plant many things. The biggest obstacle to my success of my non-native vegetation was planting a tree or plant that can not withstand the cold winter temperatures of the Hi-Desert. Here are a few of my attempts that I will share with you that seem to be a success. I am using the “common name” on most of these, the names that I know from my experience with these plants. Most of these pictures were taken in my yard with a few exceptions so I could show larger specimens or show the plant in bloom. If you desire do a Google search on any of these and you can find their fancy-schmancy botanical names.
Click on each picture to get a closer view, take a look and enjoy:
Aleppo Pine, this is down the road from my house, these are easy to grow.
Mondel Pine, two examples from my property, these are easy to grow.
Italian Cypress.
Red Barrel Cactus, this is easy to grow.
Creosote Bush, on my property on the left and a nearby example on the right, this bush is very difficult to transplant but smells wonderful when wet.
Nolina Yucca.
Liquidambar, on my property on the left and a on-line example on the right.
Modesto Ash, on my property on the left and a on-line example on the right, very easy to grow.
Arizona Ash.
Incense Cedar, on my property on the left and in the winter on the right, very easy to grow.
Coast Redwood, easy to grow.
Giant Sequoia, I have had only two successes with this tree, it is supposed to grow in all zones but seems sensitive until established.
Cottonwood, this tree requires lots of water, do not plant unless you can support its water habit.
Japanese Black Pine.
Washington Fan Palm, easy to grow, requires weekly water but can freeze until it is established.
Desert Willow, two on-line examples, mine are not blooming yet, easy tree to grow and transplant.
Crape Myrtle, easy to grow but only blooms if water is available on a regular basis.
Weeping Willow, do not plant unless you can support its water habit.
White Iron Bark Eucalyptus, easy to grow and does not need much water after it is established.
Red River Gum Eucalyptus, easy to grow and does not need much water after it is established.
Grape Vine, easy to grow but requires moderate water.
Desert Gum Eucalyptus, easy to grow and does not need much water after it is established, this tree can freeze.
Silver Dollar Eucalyptus, easy to grow and does not need much water after it is established.
Tree of Heaven, easy to grow and needs little water after it is established but is a tree that produces many offspring around the yard, re-seeds easily and can become a weed tree and a nuisance.
Fruitless Mulberry, both are mine and old, there are many bigger and better examples in the Mojave.
Black Locust (Robe Locust), Lots of roots and suckers but easy to grow.
Golden Locust, both plants are labeled the same but some are more golden than others and in my opinion the less golden they are the higher they grow but the gold color is beautiful.
Mesquite, on my property on the left and a nearby example on the right.
Palo Verde, on my property on the left and a nearby example on the right.
Olive Tree in a nearby parking lot.
Arborvitae, on my property on the left and a on-line example on the right.
Honeysuckles, Japanese and Common.
Texas Sage, two on-line examples, mine are not blooming yet.
Flowering Plum and Spartan Juniper, plum blooms on shown on insert photo.
California Poppy.
Ocotillo, there are much bigger examples but both of these are mine.
Cedrus Deodora (California Cedar).
Italian Stone Pine.
Old Man Cactus.
Single Leaf Pinon Pine, on my property on the left and a nearby example on the right.
Red Yucca.
Mexican Manzanita, on my property on the left and a nearby example on the right.
Finally just a shot of some natural vegetation, Beavertail Cactus in bloom in the foreground, Cholla Cactus in the middle and California Juniper in the back.
Take It Easy – Mojave
🙂
Thank you for this article! Perfect.
Hey Cliff, There are many varieties of Mesquite from North America to South America. The ones I have in my yard re-seed in wet winters and I get sprouts all over my yard. I love experimenting with trees and many have died through the years but the last 5 years or so I found my sweet spot 🙂
I just found and read your blog. I too live here (Silver Lakes/Helendale). I’m retired law enforcement and also enjoy the desert. Thanks for your insight. Would you happen to know of any misquote trees in the wild? I’d love to see them. I know that a local Target store has them in its parking lot but not the same as seeing in nature. Thanks again.
Cliff
Yes Water is what it takes. I have changed a few trees to conserve water but the Redwoods I still maintain. Cottonwoods are difficult.
Great read. How are the two redwoods (coast and giant) doing in such a low water area? Even tbough they are established am I correct in assuming they get supplemental water from irrigation? From what I read of your area’s summer temp, it looks like they dont mind the high heat either. Really cool.
Hey Katherine, I do not know particulars about Barstow, its in an in-between area. Call local nurseries or the water district, they often have great advice.
Hello Mohave!
Thanks for your info and feedback on plants that grow in the Mohave. My son just got a small home on 1/3 acre east of Barstow. Elevation is just under 2000 feet. Do you know what fruit trees would be good to grow there? also, Do you think some cold hardy citrus, maybe in pots and sheltered in extreme winds & cold would work? Do you know the zone? I think it’s zone 11. If you know any other links with additional info I’d greatly appreciate it.
Thank You for reading my blog. Remember some of my examples grow well with alot of water but most in this blog do well without much water once established.
Thanks for this very article. Very useful for those of us new to the desert and looking for recommendations of what can be grown well in this low water, unfamiliar climate.
I believe it is the care and watering the trees until they are established at which point they need no water or less water. Thanks for your comment!
Hi,
Your achievements in planting these species are truly remarkable!
It brings one question: if to grow these trees is possible, why don’t we have more? I have read many articles on the issue of fighting CO2 gasses with forests. California and Nevada have a pretty sizable desert, why can’t we plant a few experimental forests? If it is possible, we will have a chance to solve many problems for the future generations!
Yes Creosotes are rather difficult to transplant, I might get one success out of fifteen sprouts if I am lucky and it is VERY small. Thanks for your comment.
You really have a worthy collection on your property! I have a few of these myself, most troubling was creosote bush, which I later learned are notoriously difficult to transplant (it’s better to grow them from seeds).