Every gardener and landscaper when choosing which plants to place in his or her yard should use the USDA plant hardiness zone map. The map breaks down the country into zones based on climate. Always check the labels on plants to make sure they are suitable for your zone, then along with the right soil your plants will flourish in your garden. The state of Arizona contains so many zones it is important to know which zone you live in otherwise you may end up buying plants not suited to your garden relative to the city you live in.

Find out exactly what zone your Arizona landscaping project will be in, then choose plants that will thrive not only in your local climate, but also in your yard’s soil. Sometimes your soil may not be right for a particular plant but a little bit of research and you should be able to rectify that problem and change the soil accordingly.

Sometimes you may wish to have a plant that thrives better in warmer climates. If this is what you want then it’s no problem, just replant it in the container of choice every year. Some people have luck planting warmer condition plants in protected spaces against a house or structure. By being vigilant and protecting the plant during the winter more often than not the plant will survive until the following spring.

By using common sense and using plants that are native to your area you can create a great landscape. The deserts and highlands of Arizona contain a wide range of plants that can range from mundane through to simply stunning that will naturally adapt to your soil and help your landscaped yard blend in to the surrounding area.

If you are contemplating using native plants in your Arizona landscaping, it is wiser to buy locally. A visit and some professional advice from the local nursery will ensure that you have plants that are best suited for your zone and soil.