Plant of the Month – February 2014
Desert Mallow Sphaeralcea ambigua Plant Form: Evergreen Perennial/Subshrub Water Use: Very Low Mature Size: 3’ tall x 3-4’ wide Exposure: Full Sun Bloom Time: Spring, Summer, Fall (February – November) Native to: Deserts of southwest U.S. from California to Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, and into Mexico (below 7,500 feet) Hardiness: Cold hardy to -10°F Desert Mallow is an easy-to-grow perennial with a relaxed form, even sprawling under the weight of stalks and flowers when in late bloom. This […]
Plant of the Month: Mar 2013
Sundrops, Fendler’s Sundrops Calylophus hartwegii fendleri 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 […]
Plant of the Month: Feb 2013
Mexican Blue Sage, Electric Blue Sage Salvia chamaedryoides Plant Form: Evergreen Perennial/ Small Shrub Water Use: Low Mature Size: 1’-2’ tall, 2’-3’ wide Exposure: Full Sun, Part Shade Bloom Time: Feb – Oct; heaviest bloom Spring & Fall Native to: Mexico Hardiness: Cold Hardy to 10° F Mexican Blue Sage is a fast-growing, low mounding perennial that spreads by underground runners. The small silvery-green foliage is a perfect backdrop for its electric blue flowers that are heaviest in […]
Watering Native Desert Plants
Water regularly in cool months; less frequently, but deeply in hot months. One of the biggest advantages of using California native plants is that you can select plants whose water needs match our climate. California native plants are well adapted to our climate and can tolerate extended periods of heat and drought. Many California natives in the wild experience a drought-induced dormancy in the summer. They simply maintain their size and shape, add very little or no new growth, and […]
Experience the Power of Plants
Enter the fascinating world of southwest desert plants Through our series of workshops and classes, we invite you to enter into the captivating world of plants and their impressive uses. Experience the plants growing in your area’s natural community as you never have before…through taste, smell, touch, and stories. Let us lead you through native gardens to witness the variety and beauty of native plants available to gardeners throughout the southwestern United States. Join us in exploring the ancient and […]
Have Fun…Learning about Native Plants
Class and Workshop Series: Creating Yard Magic with Desert Native Plants The Fun of Finding Food and Medicine from Desert Native Plants Bringing Birds into Your Backyard Going Native in Your Yard…What to Grow and Why Designing Your Native Plant Landscape Fun Uses of Desert Native Plants…from Arts to Eats Harvesting Desert Plants…How, When, and Where Know Your Desert Natives…Fun Ways to Recognize Southwest Plants The Joy of Desert Gardening How To Fully Enjoy Your Yard Eat the Weeds…Don’t Curse […]
