When you live in a hot climate like that of the American Southwest, it's important you choose plants for your yard that thrive in the heat—otherwise, no amount of shrub care will make your garden as full or healthy as you want it to be. Instead, consider the five options below to provide privacy, cool shade, and luxurious foliage.

5 Shrubs that Thrive in New Mexico

1. Rose of Sharon

Also called the Althea, the Rose of Sharon grows 6 to 10 feet tall and features pastel-colored blossoms in pink, lavender, white, and blue. Very sturdy, with a liking for direct sunlight, once the Rose of Sharon is established in your garden, its watering needs are relatively low.

2. Apache Plume

This native of the Southwest sports a multitude of tiny white flowers from spring to fall, at which time they become fluffy, pinkish seed heads. It prefers full sun and gritty soil with plenty of drainage, but needs little water and not much shrub care.

3. Blue Avena

Also called blue oat grass, this ornamental grass grows large enough to double as a shrub. Its slim, bluish-gray leaves burst upward and outward in graceful arcs. It needs rich soil but does well in direct sun or partial shade. It needs a moderate amount of watering.

4. Mohave Pyracantha

This fast-growing evergreen shrub will quickly reach 12-feet by 12-feet and makes a terrific privacy barrier or wind break. It features rich, green, paddle-shaped leaves and red-orange berries. After acclimating to your garden, it is nearly drought resistant.

5. Boxwood Winter Gem

The winter gem is a medium-sized evergreen with shiny, light-green leaves. It's ideal for a border hedge and does well when desert temperatures drop. However, it cannot take extreme sun exposure.

For expert shrub care of these and other garden plants, contact Taylor's Weed & Pest Control in Hobbs, NM. They've served Lea County for four decades and also offer tree pruning, lawn care, and termite treatment. Call (575) 492-9247 to schedule shrub care service or visit their website to submit an information request.