Monika’s colorful desert garden
by Sue Langley • February 21, 2012 • Garden Color, Gardening tips • 11 Comments
Monika’s Clauberg’s Nevada desert garden near Las Vegas was nearly destroyed when a water pipe broke, flooding and washing away her landscaping. She says, “Here it is the beginning of April and some things are coming back. Desert plants are most thankful for the littlest drink. We had to put big urns in the upper right hand corner,… the root system from a huge bush could not be totally removed. I am happy to report, things are filling in nicely.”
Monika Clauberg in her award winning derst garden near Las Vegas
Here Monika points toward a small Verdin nest in the tree. Verdin are tiny, active songbirds, grey with yellow faces who live in the arid southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Desert Dandilions and purple desert asters
In her garden she has a variety of heat loving plants, like Mojave and Firecracker penstemon, desert dandelions, desert asters and bottle brush. In Spring, pyracantha, stunning Apache plume, bright beavertail cactus and soft pink Mexican primrose bloom.
Mojave Penstamon
A stunning bottle brush reaches for the sky.
Blooming Beavertail cactus
Tall drought tolerant Penstamon edges the walk
Pyracantha blooms white in Spring
Monika, says, “Now I will brag a bit. I won 2nd price in the whole Las Vegas Valley for creative desert garden, made by owner. It was even a video in Europe, showing how we deal with the water shortage, and how one can have a green garden in the Mojave Desert.”
Monika Clauberg in her patio garden
Right now replacing a thirsty lawn is a big trend in home landscaping and Monika proves that you can have a beautiful garden even in extreme drought conditions. This Spring she’ll be sitting pretty at her garden table with blooms all around her and her garden sign says it all… ~~ Sue
lovely!!!
Enjoyed Monika’s gardens so much! Beautiful ideas…lots of color & texture…so different from my ecosystem! Beautiful!
Beautiful gardens !! I love the bottle brush tree !!
What a glorious garden to rest in
Monika has made a beautiful garden for herself and wildlife….and her lucky neighbors. How much better this is than a boring, thirsty lawn, especially in a desert city.
Excellent work, Monika–beautiful and inspiring. I did the same here in Austin, Texas (also on the dry side). I rid myself of all grass and added native and hardy perennials for color, seasonal interest and especially to attract wildlife.
I’m so glad you’re all enjoying Monika’s garden…hope for Spring! ~~ Sue
Very interesting tour, and I also enjoyed seeing the very “happy” bottle brush. Fasanating story and a BIG congratulations on your award.
Very nice terrascaping, looks as if you beat the odds.
Thanks so much for sharing the beautiful blooms with everyone.
I agree with all the previous comments a really amazing garden , but pam lawns have their place , thirsty maybe but boring ….never….
Very pretty. Loved the bottle brush tree. I visited the SW last fall and fell in love with all the agave and other plants you don’t see here in Ohio. The textures and shapes. Your garden combines things we see here, and those desert plants beautifully. Thanks for sharing your garden with us.