Sagebrush (Artemesia Tridentata, to be exact), yes, but in Tucson. Mine do pretty well here, but they do get infested with lacebug larvae if they get too much water which makes their foliage "juicy". A good hose blast or two takes care of that problem. I had to hastily transplant one in April from its original afternoon shade location into an all-day-sunny spot . It looked wilty for about a week, but quickly bounced back. They're tough! Buy them from a native nursery, rather than digging up a wild one from a colder wetter climate. There's lots of regional diversity in this species, and I've been told that sagebrush from local gene pools tend to do better.

I'm not sure if it's still there but there used to be a 30' tall pear tree on Glendale between Central and 7th St. on the south side. I have two pear trees that I planted in my back yard in spring 2012, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get my first crop this coming spring(but I think 4-5 years to become established is more realistic). They seem healthy - one is a Sensation Red bartlett (that I was told "may or may not" bear fruit) and the other is a multi-budded pear, with Florida Home, Hood, and Comice varieties. "Monterrey" was the other variety that was available on the multi-budded trees from Baker where I bought it. I think in general Pears have a hard time here. I remember reading that the asian varieties fair better - "Ya Li" being one example.

disintegrated? like turned to dust? did she water it after planting it. figs are drought resistant but thats once established. while young you should supply water when needed. AZ soil will dry out fast so you can add some organic matter to hold the water better. never dig a hole and poor in potting soil, compost, ect in the hole and plant directly in the hole. amend a hole 2 to 3 times the size of the rootball by mixing existing soil with the soil amendment. the bigger the hole the better. also mulching helps cool the roots in the 100+ degree days and slows evaporation. once your roots are older and run deeper it will probably never need to be watered again or need human assistance and will likely outlive you and provide plenty of figs for your grandkids and maybe there kids. remnants of president Thomas Jefferson's fig orchard lived into the the early 1900's and He planted them as early as 1769. If a tree will take care of you for this long it just makes since to do the extra work upfront. If her plant fails don't give up, just try again. Everyone needs a fig tree especially Mom! Good luck.

This is sometimes called "wild sesame seed". I have found the soil at my house does not make the leaves have as nice an aroma as the leaves I purchase at the Korean Market. It is not really sesame seed. In fact it is a variation of the Mint family with just larger leaves. I like to eat the leaves. Koreans make a food called Yaki-Mondu. It is a type of egg roll or dumpling. The stuffing is comprised of ground meat, cabbage, onions, a type of wheat grass, carrots and other vegetables like garlic, tofu, green onion, etc. Normally you wrap this in a mondu wrapper made with flour. However, we like to sometimes make it wrapped in the perilla leaves and lightly breaded in stir fry mix. In korea they eat them in different ways and sometimes soak them in soy/sesame to pickle them. Might try this in an exotic salad or just lightly battered and fried like a pumpkin blossom.