My name is Alice Fleurkens. Imagine my amazement when I visited my brother-in-law’s house in the Netherlands and discovered that he had turned his very tiny backyard into an Arizona oasis. He had been there and loved that landscape so much that he decided he wanted it for his backyard.

Gravel mulch and plants that look like they would be at home in a much warmer climate create the illusion of Arizona in the Netherlands. The climates of the two locations could hardly be more different, with much of the Netherlands getting more than three times as much rain as Phoenix, Arizona, and the usual weather in the Netherlands being cool and cloudy rather than sunny and dry. But with careful design and plant choices, you can mimic the look of just about any climate, no matter where you garden. Potted palms add to the effect, and, of course, can be moved to sheltered spots to overwinter.

Huge yucca plants give a desert look, but they can adapt to many climates. The large one in the center looks to be Yucca rostrata, which is hardy to Zone 5, provided it has good drainage, and will develop a tall trunk over time.

This huge palm tree is probably Trachycarpus fortunei, which is one of the most cold-hardy palm trees and will thrive even in climates with cool summers, like that of the Netherlands. It is hardy to Zone 7.

More yuccas and an adobe wall complete the illusion of a garden in the southwestern United States.

A wonderful little spot to sit and enjoy this desert garden in a cool, wet place.

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

If you want to send photos in separate emails to the GPOD email box that is just fine.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

You don’t have to be a professional garden photographer – check out our garden photography tips!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Scotts Cordless Grass-Shear/Shrub-Trimmer Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

With a built-in 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery, this little guy weighs less than 2 lb. and can zip through all your minor pruning tasks quickly and easily.
- 13.5 x 3 x 5 inches
- Uses a 7.2-Volt 2Ah high-capacity built-in lithium-ion battery; Includes a fast charger

Buy at Amazon

Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, Revised and Updated Second Edition: A Natural Approach to Pest Control

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

This revised and updated edition of Jessica Walliser’s award-winning Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden offers a valuable and science-backed plan for bringing balance back to the garden. With this indispensable gardening reference—now updated with new research, insights, and voices—learn how to create a healthy, balanced, and diverse garden capable of supporting a hard-working crew of beneficial pest-eating insects and eliminate the need for synthetic chemical pesticides.

Buy at Amazon

DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw with 6-Piece Saw Blade Set

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
- DW4856 Metal/Woodcutting Reciprocating Saw Blade Set, 6-Piece

Buy at Amazon