Landscape Preferences in a Desert City in the American Southwest

Residential landscaping has important implications for water use and land use planning in the deserts of the American Southwest. Thus, it is important to investigate the motivations behind residents' landscaping behavior. This study applied a qualitative approach based on interviews of residents and horticulturalists. We found that time required for maintenance, maintenance costs, cultural and social influences, and concerns about water scarcity were key factors influencing residents' landscaping decisions. Horticulturists also play important roles in influencing residents' landscaping choices. Thus, it is important that local horticulturalists have accurate information when they communicate about landscape choices to the local community.