The Power of Plants

Aloe Blue Elf is a tough, vigorous, fuss-free succulent that thrives in poor soil and dazzles with its tubular orange flowers from winter through early spring. This tight-clumping, dwarf aloe grows attractive rosettes of narrow, upright, blue-gray leaves. It takes full sun in stride except when surrounded by heat-retaining inorganic mulches like gravel or river stones that reflect heat (a companion rock on the south, sunny side of the plant is fine since it provides shade to the plant and roots). Like us, it can suffer heat stress when air temperatures exceed 112°F, so afternoon shade would be welcome in summer. Water thoroughly when dry. Divide crowded clumps about every 2-3 years in early spring to invigorate them, and use offsets for propagation. Hummingbirds can’t resist their flowers, so plant where you can watch the show. Perfect for rock and succulent gardens, Mediterranean gardens, informal and cottage gardens, waterwise borders, beds, around patios and pools, in decorative containers, as in mass plantings as a succulent groundcover.

‘Karl Foerster’ Feather Reed Grass, one of the most popular ornamental grasses worldwide, may be the most useful plant available to create bold vertical structure in our gardens. Its erect, feathery plumes sway gracefully in the slightest breeze, but even strong winds and rain don’t daunt its narrow, upright form. Slim, tan flower spikes of this sterile hybrid complement its dark green foliage. This long-lived bunchgrass adapts to most climates, and tolerates soil types from gravel to clay, accepting full sun but appreciating part shade during our hot summers. Its flower stalks make beautiful fresh or dried cut flower arrangements. To keep this bunchgrass tidy, trim down to the base in late winter before new spring shoots appear. Use in masses, groups, or as a single specimen for a special accent, or along borders and walkways, on slopes, in raised planters and containers, near pools and water features, and as a living screen. This grass makes an excellent vertical accent for narrow spaces in the landscape.

Lady’s Slipper looks like it may have come from Dr. Seuss’ imagination, with its unusual bird-shaped flowers and candle-like, leafless stems. This distinctive succulent forms a clump of upright, mostly leafless, silvery green stems as thick as your finger, reaching 3-4 feet tall. This rush-like, clumping plant maintains an upright form in full sun or partial shade, but becomes more sprawling in full shade. Its red “slippers” contain tiny nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds. Younger plants can be damaged by temperatures below freezing, but mature plants are hardy down to the mid-20 degrees F. To avoid cold damage, plant against a south-facing wall, under eaves, or in a container that can be moved to a protected area when low temperatures are expected. Lady’s Slipper makes a great container plant but can also grow well in the garden. Adapted to heat, aridity, and drought, it is popular in borders, rock gardens, raised planters, near foundations, pools, and water features. Mass plantings along a wall or in a raised bed can make a dramatic statement.

‘Bells of Fire’ Tecoma catches everyone’s eye with its large clusters of red-orange, trumpet-shaped flowers adorning its deep-green, fern-like foliage. Besides attracting humans, hummingbirds and butterflies will flock to the stunning blossoms from mid-spring to fall, which bloom continuously until frost. All Tecoma cultivars can grow to gigantic sizes, but Bells of Fire was bred to be more compact. This water-wise shrub is drought tolerant, heat tolerant, tolerates most soils including clay soils, has a long blooming season, and is an easy-care plant. Related to our Desert Willow, this tropical-looking shrub has low water needs once established. While all Tecomas love the heat, they have frost-sensitive leaves, but their roots survive much colder temperatures. Cut back annually when new growth starts in spring to remove any frost-damaged foliage. Bells of Fire is useful as an accent, hedge, background screen, in borders, mass plantings, on slopes, and even in containers. Enjoy using their cut flowers in bouquets.

Golden Torch Cactus is a columnar cactus native to South America that has been embraced by southwest gardeners for its eye-catching sculptural qualities and ease of care. Its upright stems are bright green with 10-15 vertical ribs, and are covered in short, golden spines giving the stems a slight yellow hue. Like many cacti, they bloom at night for only about 10 hours, attracting night pollinators like moths and bats. The only things this cactus requires are well-draining soil, sun, and occasional deep watering. You provide the appropriate location, and either on their own or in clusters in different locations, these cacti will add interest to both formal desert gardens or natural-looking gardens to accent or focus attention on your entry, garden, or any low-maintenance landscape. Space 3-4 feet apart for optimal aesthetics, and combine with low-growing succulents for enhanced visual appeal. Surround them with boulders or gravel to evoke an authentic desert vibe. Popular landscape uses for these cacti include accents and focal points, background plantings, narrow and confined spaces, rock gardens, planters and containers.

Goodding Verbena is a sensation with pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, and also with human garden admirers. This southwest native is a strong nectar producer which may bloom most of the year if watered. Its profuse, lilac-colored flowers are grouped in dense, rounded clusters at stem tips, with charming effect.  The stems and deeply-divided leaves are very hairy, and spread to form a low mat. This is a short-lived perennial, living only 2-4 years, but when happy, it reseeds on bare ground, providing you with more plants for years. Plants look their best with occasional summer water, about every 2-4 weeks, but let the soil dry out between waterings. They may look a little scruffy in the summer heat. The only care they may take is deadheading spent flowers to ensure more flowering throughout the season—but leave some heads to spread seeds for future plants. Wonderful as an accent, small ground cover, along borders and walkways, in rock and wildflower gardens, courtyards and landscape mounds.