Plant of the Month – November
Desert Broom, Broom Baccharis Baccharis sarothroides Plant Form: Semi-deciduous shrub Water Use: Very low Mature Size: 6-12 ft. tall x 6-7 ft. wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Summer (June – August), Fall (September – October) Native to: Southern California, southwest US, Mexico Hardiness: Cold hardy to 15°F Desert Broom has branches that are so green, you won’t notice that it drops its small, narrow leaves during drought, making this rounded shrub look like a giant, green broom. This fast-growing, […]
Plant of the Month – October
Desert Wild Grape Vitis girdiana Plant Form: Deciduous vine Water Use: Low, moderate Mature Size: 10-30 ft. tall and wide Exposure: Full sun, part shade Bloom Time: Spring (March – May), Summer (June – August) Native to: Southern California, California Channel Islands Hardiness: Cold hardy to 0°F Desert Wild Grape is a fast-growing, deciduous vine that produces small but edible black grapes for birds and people. The silvery-green foliage turns color and drops in winter, but the persistent tendrils remain […]
Plant of the Month – May
Mojave Aster Xylorhiza tortifolia Plant Form: Perennial sub-shrub Water Use: Very low Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall and wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Spring (March-May), Fall (October) Native to: California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah Hardiness: Cold hardy to 10°F Mojave Aster adds unexpected color to the normally harsh habitat where it grows naturally. In your garden, the long-stalked flower heads on this perennial sub-shrub hold two-inch-wide, yellow-centered, lavender-petalled flowers that are beautifully iridescent. After plants are established with regular […]
Plant of the Month – February
Linear-leaved Goldenbush Narrowleaf Goldenbush Showy Goldenbush Ericameria linearifolia Plant Form: Evergreen shrub Water Use: Very low Mature Size: 2-3 ft. tall x 3-4 ft. wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Spring (March-May) Native to: California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah Hardiness: Cold hardy to 10°F Linear-leaved Goldenbush is a moderately fast-growing, erect shrub that is highly branched. One of its common names, Showy Goldenbush, was inspired by its prolific spring display of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers on long stems above dark […]
Plant of the Month – November
Great Basin Sage Big Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata Plant Form: Evergreen shrub Water Use: Low Mature Size: 3-6 ft. tall x 3-10 ft. wide Exposure: Full sun Bloom Time: Summer (July-Aug), Fall (Sept) Native to: Western North America, Canada, Baja California Hardiness: Cold hardy to -20°F Great Basin Sage is a study in silver and gray. This shrub forms the primary vegetation across vast stretches of the Great Basin desert. A member of the sunflower family, it develops a woody trunk […]
Plant of the Month – August
Golden Dogbane Thymophylla pentachaeta Plant Form: Perennial Water Use: Low Mature Size: 6-10 in. tall x 1-2 ft. wide Exposure: Full Sun Bloom Time: Spring (March-May), Summer (June-Aug), Fall (Sept-Nov) Native to: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Northern Mexico Hardiness: Cold hardy to 0°F Golden Dogbane is a dainty, colorful plant that brings happiness to both gardeners and butterflies. Because it provides both nectar and food for butterflies and their larvae, it is perfect for butterfly gardens. Gardeners can plant just a few […]
