Be Inspired Blog - Arizona
Arizona Living: Create a Backyard Oasis That Works With the Desert
Outdoor living in the Valley of the Sun is all about comfort, color, flavor, and smart design.
Arizona living has its own rhythm. Mornings are for coffee on the patio, afternoons are made for shade, and evenings are when the backyard truly comes alive—whether you’re grilling with friends, watering your garden, or simply enjoying a quiet moment outside.
The best part? You don’t need a massive yard or a picture-perfect landscape to create something beautiful. With the right plants and a few intentional choices, you can build a space that feels relaxing, looks vibrant, and thrives in our unique desert climate.
Here’s how to bring the “Arizona Living” lifestyle to life—right in your own backyard.
Start With a Relaxing Patio Atmosphere 🌿
In the desert, your patio often becomes your favorite “room” of the house. It’s where you unwind, entertain, and enjoy fresh air—even when summer is intense.
To create that cozy, relaxing atmosphere, focus on three things:
1. Shade + comfort
A shaded patio instantly feels cooler and more inviting. Add shade structures, umbrellas, or trees that provide filtered light.
2. Lush container plants
Even in Arizona, you can create a “resort-style” look with the right plants in pots—especially when you combine leafy textures, colorful blooms, and soft fragrances.
3. Outdoor lighting and décor
Simple string lights, lanterns, or solar pathway lights can turn a basic patio into a peaceful retreat after sunset.
Tip: If you want your patio to feel cooler in summer, avoid placing heat-reflecting décor or dark containers in the hottest afternoon sun. Light-colored pots and shaded placement can make a big difference.
Grow a Tasty Garden: Veggies, Herbs, Citrus & More 🍅
Arizona living isn’t complete without a garden you can eat from.
A “Tasty Garden” can be as small as a few pots on the patio or as big as raised beds along the side yard—but the idea is the same: grow what you love.
Some great options for edible gardening in Valley of the Sun include:
- Herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, parsley, thyme, and oregano
- Vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and leafy greens (season matters!)
- Fruit trees like citrus and other fruit varieties suited for the low desert
- Edible flowers like nasturtiums or calendula to add beauty and flavor
Even better: edible gardens naturally encourage you to spend more time outside. It’s hard not to feel proud when you harvest your own herbs for dinner or pick something fresh straight from the yard.
Arizona success tip: In our climate, "where and when you plant” is just as important as “what you plant.” Learn how to map the sun in your garden landscape so you can grow plants in the best lighting and temperatures for their success. In addition, choosing the right planting window helps your edible garden stay productive without fighting the weather.
Add Beauty With Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees 🌸
Arizona landscapes can be colorful year-round—especially when you mix flowering plants with interesting textures and foliage.
When you’re planning your plant palette, aim for a balance of:
- Seasonal flowers for bursts of color
- Shrubs to fill space, add structure, and support pollinators
- Trees to create shade and long-term beauty
The goal isn’t to pack the yard with plants—it’s to create intentional layers that look great, feel inviting, and support the lifestyle you want outdoors.
Shade Is Everything in Arizona🌳
If you want your yard to feel enjoyable during much of the year, shade is one of the most valuable things you can add.
Shade helps:
- Lower temperatures near your home and patio
- Protect sensitive plants from sun stress
- Create more usable outdoor space for kids, pets, and entertaining
- Make gardening (and living!) more comfortable
Shade can come from trees, large shrubs, pergolas, shade sails, or even well-placed vines. The key is planning for how the sun moves through your yard.
A Small Lawn Can Still Have a Place 🌱
While Arizona yards are trending more water-wise than ever, many homeowners still love having a small lawn area—and it can absolutely be part of a smart desert landscape.
A small lawn gives you space to:
- Play with kids and pets
- Relax, stretch or workout
- Host backyard games or a picnic
- Enjoy the soft, cool feel of grass underfoot
The trick is keeping it purposeful and sized appropriately. A small, functional lawn area can be easier to manage and more water-conscious than trying to maintain a large stretch of turf. Looking to reduce the size of your turf? Groundcovers can be a great way to incorporate lower-water-use plants while limiting the amount of grass you have to maintain.
Water-Wise Gardening Is the Secret to Long-Term Success 💧
The most successful Arizona landscapes aren’t just beautiful—they’re practical.
Water-wise gardening doesn’t mean giving up color or comfort. It means choosing strategies that work with our desert conditions instead of constantly battling them.
✅ Choose water-wise plants
Plants that are adapted to heat and drought naturally require less stress, fewer “rescues,” and more predictable care.
✅ Incorporate native plants when possible
Native plants are built for Arizona conditions and are often excellent for low-maintenance landscapes—plus they support local wildlife and pollinators.
✅ Build a pollinator-friendly environment 🦋🐝
Pollinator gardens aren’t just trendy—they’re incredibly rewarding. When you include nectar-rich blooms and habitat-friendly plant choices, you’ll notice more hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and beneficial insects that help your garden flourish.
✅ Map the sun before you plant
In Arizona, “full sun” can be intense. Pay attention to:
- Morning sun vs. afternoon sun
- Heat reflecting off walls and hardscape
- How shade changes through the seasons
The right placement can mean the difference between a plant that survives and one that truly performs beautifully.
✅ Use a drip watering system
Drip irrigation is one of the smartest tools for Arizona living. It helps deliver water efficiently at the root zone, reduces waste, and makes it easier to keep plants consistently hydrated—even when temperatures soar.
Arizona Living Is About Enjoying Your Yard, Not Just Maintaining It 🌵
At the end of the day, Arizona living is about creating a landscape that supports your life.
It’s the calm of a shady patio.
The refresh of a relaxing pool area—surrounded by tropical, desert-friendly plants that make it feel like a private resort.
The satisfaction of picking herbs you grew yourself.
The color of fresh flowers in your garden beds.
The sound of birds and the flutter of butterflies nearby.
And the comfort of knowing your yard can handle the heat—because you designed it wisely.
Whether you’re starting fresh or improving what you already have, small changes can make a big difference over time.
Need Help Creating Your Arizona Backyard Oasis? 🌿
If you’re not sure where to start, our team can help you choose plants that match your space, sunlight, and lifestyle—from water-wise shade trees and pollinator favorites to edible gardening essentials and patio-ready container plants.
Stop by your local nursery and let’s bring your vision of Arizona living to life.
