Sonya Kravetz
Here's a written recap of what we walked through on-site. These are suggestions for you to consider and act on however works best for you — no service commitment attached.
Ground Cover: Iceplant
The bare ground under the palms is a good candidate for a low, spreading ground cover. Iceplant fits well here — it stays low, doesn't create litter or mess to clean up, needs very little water once established, and brings consistent color to a spot that's otherwise just dirt and shade patterns.
It also helps cool that area down. Bare soil and rock radiate heat back up; a living ground cover keeps the surface temperature down and looks better doing it.
Iceplant (Delosperma)
- Low, spreading habit — fills in bare ground without height
- Doesn't need much water once established
- No litter or drop to manage
- Blooms in vibrant color (pink, purple, orange, or yellow depending on variety)
- Helps cool the ground surface compared to bare soil or rock
Root Flare Exposure
Several trees on the property — including the crape myrtles — are planted too deep, with soil and rock burying the root flare (the point where the trunk widens out into the roots). Buried root flares lead to girdling roots, where roots wrap around the trunk instead of growing outward, slowly choking the tree over time.
Uncovering the flare lets the tree breathe and grow the way it's meant to. It's one of the most overlooked issues in landscape trees, and it's fixable.
The suggestion: Pull the rock back to create a 4-foot diameter water well around each affected tree, then switch from rock to mulch in that well. Mulch holds moisture, moderates soil temperature, and won't get pushed back over the flare the way rock tends to.
As you uncover the flares: post photos and questions in the Garden Nerd Club as you go. Every tree is a little different underneath, and I can guide you tree-by-tree as the digging progresses rather than guessing from the surface now.
Replacement: Ruellia
The sago palms in the back corner near the pool have been struggling and aren't a great long-term fit for that spot. Ruellia is a strong replacement option — it handles full sun and Phoenix heat without issue, and over time it will spread to fill and cover that whole corner.
It also solves the pool problem directly. Sago fronds are stiff, sharp, and constantly need to be fished out of the water and skimmer. Ruellia doesn't drop debris the same way, so it's a much lower-maintenance neighbor for a pool.
Ruellia
- Thrives in full sun and high heat — well suited to that corner
- Spreads over time to fill the space, so fewer plants are needed upfront
- Non-invasive root system — won't threaten nearby hardscape or pool equipment
- Minimal drop near the pool, unlike the sagos it would replace
- Purple bloom color adds visual interest where the sagos were just green and struggling
These are suggestions based on what we saw on-site — the plant choices and timing are entirely up to you. If you want help sourcing plants, planting them, or want an ongoing hand keeping the yard healthy, The Garden Nerd offers organic monthly fertilizing and planting services.