If you live in Desert Hot Springs or Sky Valley, you know the wind. Air funneling through the San Gorgonio Pass can blow hard for days, drying out plants, shredding leaves, and toppling young trees. The good news: with the right plants and planting methods, you can build a landscape that stands up to it. As the largest nursery in Desert Hot Springs, we grow our plants in this same wind, and here’s what we’ve learned.
Choose wind-tough plants
- Flexible, open-canopy trees: palo verde, desert willow, and acacias let wind pass through instead of catching it like a sail.
- Palms: California fan palms and date palms handle wind well thanks to flexible trunks and fronds.
- Low, dense shrubs and natives: desert sage, creosote, brittlebush, and similar plants stay close to the ground.
- Cactus and agave: nearly wind-proof and very low water.
Plant smaller, stake smarter
A huge tree with a small root ball is the most likely to blow over. Moderately sized trees with well-developed roots often establish faster and anchor better. Stake new trees with two or three flexible ties set low on the trunk, allowing some movement, which builds a stronger trunk. Remove stakes once the tree is rooted in, usually within a year or so.
Water deep for deep roots
Shallow, frequent watering grows shallow roots that can’t hold a tree upright. Deep, slow, infrequent irrigation pushes roots downward for a much stronger anchor.
Prune for wind, not looks
Thinning a dense canopy lets wind pass through and reduces the “sail effect” that breaks limbs. Avoid topping trees or stripping palms. Over-pruning creates weak growth that fails in the next windstorm.
Use windbreaks
A row of tough trees or tall shrubs on the windward side (typically west and northwest here) shelters the rest of your yard, your patio, and more delicate plants.
Protect new plantings
For the first season, temporary windscreens and extra mulch help young plants get established. Plant in fall when possible so roots grow through the cooler months before the windy spring season.
Plants grown in Desert Hot Springs wind, for Desert Hot Springs wind
Our stock is already used to local conditions. Call us for wind-tough trees, palms, and shrubs, plus expert advice on placement and staking.
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