Southwest Landscaping

The Southwest region of the US is composed of California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. This region challenges landscapers with hot and arid climate characteristics. In the summer, temperatures reach the hundreds, so shelter is of great concern to Southwest landscapers. To combat the searing heat, they use combinations of softscape and hardscape.

Trees can be strategically placed to create natural shade, changing the micro climate of the property. Trees can be planted on the southern and western boundaries of your property to shelter your home from the searing heat of the southwest afternoon sun. Canopied trees are a fine way to ward off mid-day heat. Shade houses and arbors are a great way to block sunlight. A shade house is created from a four post base with a slanted roof. There are slats to let air in but block sun.