All gardens, but especially those in the deserts, need a generous dose of shade from trees and the structure and character of shrubs. But finding the right ones is often daunting. In this book, Mary provides a combination of deep southwestern plant knowledge, detailed information on care and selection combined with a personal, often humorous, touch in this gardener's guide to trees and shrubs for the Southwest. Dry soils, minimal rainfall, and intense heat are nothing to the face of the feathery acacias, bright-flowered desert willow or flamboyant bird of paradise, too-tough-to-kill mesquites and luxurious Texas rangers. Gardeners will be surprised to find that there are even desert dwelling palms and pines.