The new header was taken on May 20, the day of the annular eclipse, for which Albuquerque had a prime viewing location. My mother, a friend, and I had watched from a spot which gave us an unobstructed view of the western horizon. We had our “Eclipse Shades” and were able to see the eclipse from the beginning until the still partially eclipsed sun sank below the horizon. It was at that moment that the photograph from which this header came was taken.

Blog Header © Susan Brandt Graham
Setting sun, still partially eclipsed; view across the Rio Grande Valley from the Sandia foothills

This view from the Sandia foothills, looking across Albuquerque and the Rio Grande Valley to the West Mesa, gives a feel for the high desert in which those of us in Albuquerque garden. You can see the rocks, and you can almost feel the heat and dryness. Just to clarify, I love the high desert with its brilliant light. But gardening here is not like gardening in a non-desert climate.

The previous headers have emphasized roses, which I love and to which I have devoted a good portion of my time in recent years. I love them all.

Blog Header © Susan Brandt Graham
Roses ‘Be-Bop,’ ‘Buffalo Gal,’ and ‘Fourth of July’

Here in the desert southwest, however, we are in the midst of a severe drought. The monsoon season is almost upon us, but even with a “good” 2012 monsoon season, we will still be in the midst of severe drought. We have a water shortage, and must be very careful how we use that resource. The focus of this blog will now shift to more emphasis on water wise landscaping. The new header is symbolic of this new direction.