USU Botanical Center

06/01/2026

Plant Spotlight: Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)

Despite its name, red yucca isn't a true yucca, but it is every bit as tough. This drought-tolerant perennial forms graceful clumps of narrow, arching foliage and sends up tall spikes of coral-red flowers throughout the summer.

A favorite of hummingbirds and well suited to Utah's dry climate, red yucca is an excellent choice for adding color, texture, and resilience to water-wise landscapes.

05/29/2026

Plant Quiz Time! ✨️

Deeply cut, almost fern like foliage in rich shades of purple-black gives this dramatic shrub a bold presence from spring through fall. In early summer, clusters of soft pink flowers rise above the dark leaves, eventually giving way to berries beloved by birds and other wildlife.

Fast-growing and adaptable, this striking shrub thrives in full sun to part shade and adds season- long contrast to borders and landscapes. Even from a distance, it's dark foliage, is hard to miss.

Can you name this moody landscape favorite?

05/28/2026

Volunteers at the Utah State University Botanical Center spend hours working the land and learning to share their master gardening skills with the community. The USU Botanical Center in Kaysville covers approximately 100 acres filled with gardens showing off the possibilities of what you can grow in...

05/27/2026

Iris season may be winding down, but we're sending it off in style. 😍 These stunning
Spuria irises are among the last to bloom here at the Botanical Center—and honestly, we're not ready to say goodbye. The good news? Our iris collection keeps growing, so future blooms will be even more spectacular. Stay tuned.

What blooms are you watching for next?

05/26/2026

💧 Utah is in a drought emergency — and every drop counts. Gov. Cox just declared a statewide drought emergency, calling this one of the worst drought years in Utah's history after a winter with record-low snowpack.

So this summer, let's be intentional. Check your sprinkler heads. Shorten your run times. And make sure you're watering your plants — not your driveway.

Small habits add up. Be part of the solution. 💙

05/19/2026

Secondary water is on in Davis County — and this year, every drop counts. 💧

Utah is facing serious drought conditions, which means how we use our irrigation water this season really matters. Before you set that timer and walk away, here's a simple graphic to remind you to be intentional about what gets water first.

Your trees and shrubs need it most. They're the hardest to replace and the slowest to show stress until it's too late. Your lawn? It's last on the list, and honestly, more resilient than you think.

Save this. Share it with a neighbor. Small changes add up. Let's be water-wise together.

05/19/2026