Hi Mike.
Glad you are here with us on the site and here in AZ.
I'm an hour from you in Casa Grande. Scottsdale is north and a bit cooler. I am very dry, hot and everything you think a desert should be when it comes to gardening.
Couple offerings in terms of gardening here.
In regards to the plants just look around. Grow what grows here and remember that most---not all flowers do not bloom in a desert. There's plenty of pretty ones that do. Bougainville, and Hibiscus are two shrubs/trees that do come to mind.
You may already know these things but if not, I'll toss them out for what they are worth.
Succulents WILL die. Don't waste your money on them.
I don't know how fond you are of S.W. desert plants but if you need a few suggestions I'll give you a list. They live here. They bloom. They don't die.
Our weather is weird and has only gotten weirder.
It can be 10 degrees difference either way within 20 miles of you and it can literally rain in one half of your town and not the other. The only predictable thing about our weather is it is unpredictable.
Buy plants that are on the slightly more mature side so they survive their first summer and winter. It is nice to save money by purchasing smaller plants but unless it is a super rapid grower or a cacti you need something that can endure and get past it's first year. Saves money in the long run. You won't be throwing out dead plants.
Figure out if your soil is sand, clay, caliche or just plain ol' dirt. Then you can work with it accordingly and know some ways to make the things you want grow.
Can't offer watering advice on veggies and flowers. If you want advice watering cacti, agaves and aloes I can help there. When it comes to watering every---no matter what type of plant it is, has a quirk and is temperamental.
I know everyone will be of help so feel free to ask lots of questions. I look forward to hearing all about what you are planning to put in the yard and look forward to growing.
AG
