IDEA SHOPPING
Private garden tours Get a glimpse inside several cloistered gardens in and around Santa Fe. June 1: Tour Tesuque estates showcasing horticultural displays of native and ornamental plants, some featuring enclosed compounds with acequias (water channels). June 8: Tour historic gardens in old Santa Fe. Proceeds from both tours benefit the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. 1–4 Jun 1 and 8; $35 per tour, $60 for both, ages 15 and under free; 505/428-1684.

PLANTING
New hybrid skullcap Sunset climate zones 1a–3b, 10–12: This diminutive new hybrid 'Violet Cloud' skullcap (Scutellaria) produces violet-red flowers throughout summer. Plant the 6-inch-tall by 15-inch-wide groundcover at the front of a border or in a rock garden that gets full sun and has well-drained soil. Combine its flowers with yellow ones such as sundrops (Calylophus hartwegii). Water regularly, especially during the first summer after planting. Order from High Country Gardens; 800/925-9387.

Palms Zones 12–13: Now that hot weather is settling in, it's time to plant palms. Consider California fan palm, the only palm native to Arizona. The distinctive fronds stay attached to the central trunk, forming an attractive, full-figured skirt of thatch that doesn't require the annual maintenance typical of other palm trees (although you can remove the thatch if you want). Use California fan palms as single specimens, or plant clusters of three to create the appearance of an oasis. For a natural-looking vignette, group California fuchsia and deer grass around the base of the trees.

Torch cactus Zones 12–13: For curiously large cactus flowers in late spring and early summer, torch cactus (Trichocereus) hybrids are unmatched. Go for one such as 'June Noon' (white and yellow flowers) or 'Fuente de Sangre' (blood red), developed by Tucson cactus breeder Mark Dimmitt. Both are available from Plants for the Southwest/Living Stones Nursery; 520/628-8773.

Veggies Sow seeds or set out transplants of chiles, cucumbers, melons, okra, peppers, summer and winter squash, and tomatillos. For a sturdy heirloom okra from Texas, try 'Beck's Gardenville Okra', a productive variety well adapted to the Southwest. Order from Native Seeds/SEARCH; or 866/622-5561. Related story: Caring for your vegetables

MAINTENANCE
Inspect irrigation systems Zones 12–13: To save water and keep your plants well hydrated, check your irrigation system for leaks, clogged drip emitters, and cracked bubblers and sprinkler heads. Create a custom watering schedule for your garden by visiting the online resource Water–Use It Wisely. Related story: How green is your garden?

Prune agave and desert spoon Using a long-handled saw and thick or thorn-resistant gloves, remove dried-up leaves from around the base of agaves and desert spoons, taking care not to damage healthy leaves. Removing the thatch will improve the plants' appearance and discourage pack rats from nesting beneath them. Long-handled pruning tools are available from Cactus Pruner; 303/232-8788. Related article: Agaves: living sculptures

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