A desert plant that looks its best in the winter

Even though it really doesn't get all that cold in the Phoenix, Arizona area (it never snows here), many plants look kinda sad in the coldest months. And that's because of cold stress, and that they're mostly used to warm temperatures (I know how they feel!). But there's one exception that I have here in the garden - it needs some cold weather to look its best, which is when it's suffering from cold stress.

You can find them easily at any garden center - they're called "Firesticks", and they're a type of euphorbia. But don't expect just any euphoria to do this, be sure it's the right kind. In the summer they're just green, like any other euphorbia, and it's only when the weather chills off that you see their special beauty, as if they're on fire.

Just the tips turn orange, so they look their best as a background plant. My recommendation is that you prune it hard, if you have one that's growing well, in the late fall or early winter, and then leave it alone to do its thing during the cold months (which doesn't last for long in Phoenix!).

They like water (they're succulents, but they like water), and while they're not native to the Sonoran Desert, they do just fine there. It never gets too hot for them, and it never gets too cold (I wish I could say the same for me!).

So there ya go, Firesticks! Miniature dachshund for scale.