Plant of the Month: Mar 2013
0Sundrops,
Fendler’s Sundrops
Calylophus hartwegii fendleri
Sundrops provide mounds of bright color from spring into fall.
- Plant Form: Perennial Groundcover
- Water Use: Low
- Mature Size: 1’ tall, 2’ wide
- Exposure: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Bloom Time: Mar – Oct
- Native to: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
- Hardiness: Cold Hardy to 5°
Sundrops cheer up drab spots in your garden, and quickly spread by underground rhizomes into rounded, flower-filled mounds. Masses of yellow 1-2 inch flowers appear over a long season above narrow, bright green leaves. Flowers open in the afternoon and remain open until the next morning, providing nectar to night-flying moths. Each flower lasts 24 hours, and then fades to orange-pink, creating a nice sunset color palette. Cut back the stems of this evening primrose look-alike when it goes dormant in winter to reshape and prepare for new spring growth. This tough plant takes heat and drought, and is attractive between boulders, massed in clusters, or in containers. Plant in well-drained soil, and even though they don’t like to be overwatered, they appreciate a little extra water in summer.
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