For New Mexico I highly recommend "Plants for Natural Gardens" by Judith Phillips. It's thorough, contains great photos and covers all the microclimates in depth. Happy travels!
Cynthia

Where in the southwest ?

we'll be visiting the national parks - Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon and then Sedona and Surprise.

I live in Surprise!! Below is a list of book that the Arizona board has put together.
Mary Irish is a very good writer for Arizona.

HTH
Tammy in Sunny Surprise Arizona

Here is a link that might be useful: books for az

Thanks Tammy,

My brother and sister-in-law are in Surprise. My sister-in-law is a member of a garden club there. Any chance you know Barbara Laybourn?

There isn't really one book that would be the best sadly. Check these out and you might also like the link I'm providing. It is an updated version of Berniece Andersen's book.

Desert Plants of Utah by Berniece A. Andersen
Flowers of the Southwest Mountains by Leslie P. Amberger
Srubs & Trees of the Southwest Uplands by Francis H. Elmore
Wildflowers of Zions National Park by S.L. Walsh

Here is a link that might be useful: Desert Plants of Utah

Check out, 'The Audubon Society nature guide : DESERTS "

It contains photo's and descriptions of native animal and plants and also a introduction to the ecology of deserts ....

A good book for the transition you are about to experience ...

Good Day .....

My favorite is Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes by Judy Mielke

grandbb,

Here is a link to the Arizona Native Plant Society. They have a series of eight booklets - sort of like field guides - that should be helpful too. Plus, they area very affordable at $2.25 each.

You can purchase them locally at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix or Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, but if you have time you could order them before your visit.

I hope this helps.

Cathy

Here is a link that might be useful: Arizona Native Plant Society publications

thank you all so very much

My favorite book, and the one that I reference to alot, is the Sunset Western Garden book. Desert Dweller

You can find everything that you want to know about any plant, pictures of it etc...on the internet......I have a volume of great books but I still go to the net for everything....You may have already tried this...