HOW TOHOW TOGUIDE

THE COMPLETE

XERISCAPING

THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE

XERISCAPINGTO

COURTESY OF

Dear Fellow Citizens:

I hope you will take advantage of thiscomprehensive guide on how to select andcare for landscape plants that thrive inAlbuquerque’s high-desert environment. In a community that pours nearly 13 billiongallons of water over our landscapes everyyear, this publication will guide us in transforming our thirsty lawns to spectacular

arrangements of native and drought-tolerant landscapes that love high,dry heat.

Our landscapes are wonderful forms of expression that beautify ourhomes and neighborhoods. They can increase our property values andbring nature right to our doorsteps. However, growing plants of any kindin Albuquerque’s high-desert environment requires careful planning,constant attention and perhaps most of all, valuable resources.

Please use this Xeriscape Guide – along with the City’s xeriscaperebate program and free irrigation guides, videos, and xeriscape design templates – to create something very special and unique to you andyour neighborhood. Call the City at 768-3655 for information.

Albuquerque is a beautiful place to live. Rather than challengingour environment, let’s create landscapes that complement the desert’sbeauty and grace.

Sincerely,

Martin Chavez, MayorCity of Albuquerque

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LETTER FROM THE MAYORPRODUCED FOR The City of Albuquerque

Water Conservation OfficeKatherine Yuhas,

Conservation Officer

PHOTOS AND PLANT INFORMATION Courtesy of

SANTA FE GREENHOUSES, INC.David Salman, President

PRODUCED BYCooney, Watson & Associates, Inc.

DESIGNED BYKen Wilson Design, Inc.

WRITTEN BYRandall D. Schultz

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS BYCharles Mann,

Judith Phillips, Hunter Ten Broeck,Michael Melendres

CITY OF ALBUQUERQUEMartin Chavez, Mayor

Public Works DepartmentCharles “Ted” Asbury, DirectorWater Resources Division

John Stomp, Manager

ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCILPresident

Vincent Griego, District 2Vice President

Hess Yntema, District 6

Miguel Gómez, District 1Eric Griego, District 3Brad Winter, District 4

Michael J. Cadigan, District 5Sally Mayer, District 7Greg Payne, District 8

Tina Cummins, District 9

Water Conservation Office, 768-3655TTY 1-800-659-8331

www.cabq.gov/resources/waterconservation

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Most of New Mexico sits amidst the Great Southwestern Desert. In atypical year, some of our cities get just 8 inches of precipitation.That’s not enough to keep Kentucky Bluegrass green and lush,nor is it enough to enable annuals such as pansies and petunias

to flourish and flower. So we add water. Lots of water.During the hot summer months, more than 70% of all water use in

many New Mexico cities goes toward landscaping. Billions of gallons ofprecious water are applied to plants that, quite frankly, were neverintended to grow in our climate.

To maintain our wonderful quality of life in the desert Southwest andto ensure adequate future supplies, we need to reduce our outdoor wateruse. Adopting the water-wise principles of xeriscaping is one way to meetthat goal.

The color photographs in this book feature some of the most beautifuland water-thrifty plants that will thrive in our sunny climate. By choosingthese xeric plants for your landscape, you can create a water-wise xeriscapethat will add beauty to your home— and help preserve New Mexico’senchanting quality of life.

INTRODUCTION

Albuquerque Water

Hotlines:

For information

about water

conservation, call

768-3655.

To report water

waste, call

768-3640.

Statewide

Information:

NM State Engineer

1-800-WATER-NM

or contact your

local utility

XERISCAPE BASICS 4

HOW TO PLANT 8

TREES & SHRUBS 12

FLOWERING PLANTS 16

GROUNDCOVERS 30

TURF & GRASSES 35

DESERT ACCENTS 26

ALBUQUERQUE PLANTS 38

4

Xeriscape is a complicated-sounding word for avery wise and simple concept. In a nutshell,xeriscaping is water-efficient landscapingthat’s appropriate to the natural environment.

In New Mexico, xeriscaping means using plantsthat don’t require much water. (The word xeriscape isderived from the Greek word xeros, which means dry.)The goal of xeriscaping is to create a visually attractivelandscape that uses plants selected for their water effi-ciency.

Xeriscapes can save tremendous amounts of water.An established, properly maintained xeriscape needsabout one-third the water of a traditional turf-basedlandscape. Some xeric plants require almost no sup-plemental watering once they are established. Anestablished xeriscape also requires less maintenancethan a traditional landscape.

XERISCAPE BASICSXERISCAPE BASICS

XERISCAPING IS WATER-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING THAT’S APPROPRIATE TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENTphoto by Charles Mann

tures and low-water-use trees and shrubs toprovide privacy.

Also consider the views you want to pro-tect or screen. It’s important to know themature size of the plants and trees you selectto ensure that you get the views or privacyyou desire.

SUN— What portions of your propertyreceive morning sun? What portions receivehot, afternoon sun? Where are the shadyspots? The amount and time of sun expo-sure will affect the types of plants you select.

TIME— How much time do you want tospend maintaining your landscape? If you’drather enjoy your yard than work in it,choose low-maintenance plants!

5

Applying xeriscape principles to yourhome landscape will save water—but that’s just the beginning! You’llalso enjoy the beauty and diversity

of native and other water-wise plants. Manydelightful varieties of grasses, flowers, shrubsand trees do very well in New Mexico.

Follow these seven principles and you’ll beon your way toward successful xeriscaping.

1. PLANNING AND DESIGNAny beautiful landscape starts with a

good design, and a delightful xeriscape is nodifferent. Before you move a shovelful of dirtor plant a single flower, start with an overallplan for your xeriscape.

The physical characteristics ofthe site should be considered. Alsoconsider your needs and your aes-thetic preferences. Here is just asampling of the issues you shouldthink about when planning yourlandscape:

FUNCTION— Do you need anactive recreation area? If so, forwhat activities? A small turf areamay be what you need. Do youneed an “outdoor living room?” Ifso, consider expanding your patioarea with additional shade struc-

Whether you’re an avid do-it-yourselferand plan to design your own yard, or chooseto use the services of a landscape design pro-fessional, a properly designed xeriscape canmeet your needs and provide beautiful —and water-wise — surroundings.

2. SOIL IMPROVEMENTSYou may need to add soil amendments

before you plant. This will enable your soil tobetter absorb water. The water-retention abili-ties of most New Mexico soil is improved withthe addition of organic matter (such ascompost).

However, if you’re landscaping with nativeplants, you may not need to add anything toyour soil. Many well-adapted xeric plants actu-

ally prefer not to have soil that’s toorich. For these hardy natives, allyou’ll need to do is loosen the soilbefore you plant.

3. APPROPRIATE TURF AREASIf Kentucky bluegrass were

native to New Mexico, we’d call itNew Mexico bluegrass, wouldn’twe? Kentucky bluegrass is a “coolseason” grass that requires a mini-mum of 40 inches of water per yearto stay lush and green. Remember,some cities in New Mexico average

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF XERISCAPING XERISCAPE BASICS

1. PLANNING AND DESIGN 2. SOIL IMPROVEMENTS

3. APPROPRIATE TURF AREAS

6

less than 8 inches of precipitationper year. That’s why we have towater bluegrass so much here inthe high desert.

If we’re going to be seriousabout saving water, we have torethink our lawns. Instead of usinga lawn to cover large areas ofground, choose your lawn size tofit your family’s needs. If you don’tneed a football field-sized turfarea, try planting a smaller lawn.Consider planting water-wisegroundcovers and shrubs.

Instead of using cool season grassesthat need lots of supplemental water, consid-er drought-tolerant grasses such asBuffalograss and Blue Grama.

4. LOW-WATER-USE PLANTSChoose native and low-water-use plants

whenever possible. A wonderful variety ofwater-wise plants can grow throughout NewMexico— from the low deserts of the southto the mountains of the north. Some of theseplants are perfect for adding year-roundgreenery and texture. Other native plants aregreat for adding a splash of seasonal color.

Xeriscaping uses the concept of “zon-

ing”— grouping together plants withsimilar water needs. Plants that need verylittle water are grouped together in a zone,while thirsty plants and lawns are groupedtogether in another zone.

5. EFFICIENT IRRIGATIONProper and efficient irrigation saves

water. For the most efficient use of water, irri-gate turf areas separately from other plant-ings. Design irrigation zones so low-water-useplants receive only the water they need.

Choosing the right kind of irrigationcan also save water. Lawns are usuallywatered by sprinklers. Trees, shrubs, flowers

and groundcovers are best wateredwith low-volume drip emitters,sprayers and bubblers.

Remember, too, that even thebest-designed irrigation systemmust be maintained to retain itsoptimum efficiency! Fix leaks andmake sure the water lines areclean and unobstructed.

6. MULCHINGMulches are soil coverings that

minimize evaporation, cool thesoil, reduce weed growth and slow

erosion. Mulches can also provide visualinterest to a landscape while offering a pro-tective cover until plants mature.

Organic mulches (bark chips, woodgrindings, composted cotton burrs, etc.) arecommonly used in planting beds. Inorganicmulches (such as gravel and decomposedgranite) can be used to add texture andcolor under trees and around shrubs.

Never use plastic sheeting underneathrock or bark. It prevents the soil frombreathing and encourages shallow plantroots. A better alternative is a permeablelandscape fabric.

4. LOW WATER USE PLANTS

5. EFFICIENT IRRIGATION 6. MULCHING

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF XERISCAPING

7. PROPER MAINTENANCEEven though successful xeriscapes are low maintenance, they

aren’t completely maintenance-free. To ensure that your xeriscapestays beautiful and water-wise, you’ll need to periodically fertilize,prune, weed, mow and control pests.

To ensure continued water savings, keep irrigation systemsproperly adjusted. A well-planned and properly maintained xeriscaperequires even less work as it matures. And that gives you more timeto enjoy your yard.

XERISCAPE BASICS

7. PROPER MAINTENANCE

CREATING YOUR WATER ZONES

Successful xeriscapes group plants of similar waterrequirements together in “water zones.” Zoningyour yard will help you create a landscape that isbeautiful, functional and water-efficient.

ZONE 1: MINI-OASISThe area nearest to your house is where the highest-

water-use plants should be placed, creating the lushestzone. The mini-oasis zone includes your lawn area (ifyou have one). This zone also includes the shady northand east sides of your home— typically the coolest partsof a site. The mini-oasis zone can also include areas thatreceive rainfall runoff from rooflines and downspouts.

ZONE 2: TRANSITIONThe transition zone is used to blend lush areas with

the drier parts of a landscape. The intermediate zone inyour yard takes advantage of low- and moderate-water-

use plants. Choose plantsthat need infrequent supple-mental watering (once aweek or less.)

ZONE 3: ARIDFarthest away from the

house and removed fromthe most active areas of thelandscape, Zone 3 featuresthe most drought-tolerantvegetation. Choose nativeplants and other varietiesthat rarely require supple-mental watering.

7

ZONE 1

ZONE 2

ZONE 3

8

10 STEPS TO A HEAL10 STEPS TO A HEAL

5. SEPARATE MATTED ROOTS

1. SELECT THE RIGHT PLANT FOR THE RIGHT SPOT 2. DIG THE RIGHT SIZE HOLE

6. PLACE PLANT AND BACKFILL THE HOLE

1. SELECT THE RIGHT PLANT FOR THE RIGHT SPOT.Sun-loving plants should go into sunny spaces. Shade-loving plants should be

placed under trees or beside walls where they’ll be protected from our harsh New Mexicosun. Also make sure the area is big enough to accommodate the plant when it’s reachedits full mature size. (Remember, too, to place plants with similar water needs together.)

5. SEPARATE MATTED ROOTS.Use a knife or sharp trowel to cut four vertical slits, one on each side of the

root ball. Make several similar cuts on bottom of root ball. Use your fingers to“rough out” matted roots on sides and bottom.

2. DIG THE RIGHT SIZE HOLE.The “right size” for trees and shrubs is about twice as wide and about 6” deep-

er than the depth of the root ball. For annuals and perennials, the hole should beabout a foot deep and at least a foot wide. If you dig a hole that’s just big enough forthe plant’s root ball, you actually encourage the roots to not grow and spread.

6. PLACE PLANT AND BACKFILL THE HOLE. Place plant in the hole, making sure that the top of the root ball is about

level with the surrounding soil. Shovel the soil around the plant’s roots to fill upthe hole. Leave a ridge of soil around the planting hole to hold water. This willallow the water to soak deeply to the plant’s roots. (In dry or hard-to-water areas,a shallow depression (1/2”) below the soil grade will help hold water near theplant even as the ridge of soil begins to erode.)

3. AMEND THE SOIL 4. CAREFULLY REMOVE PLANT FROM CONTAINER

9

ALTHY XERIC PLANT

3. AMEND THE SOIL.Add compost and soil minerals such as phosphate (and soil sulphur where

soils are very alkaline). Mix well with shovel. Fill hole just enough so top of rootball will be approximately level with or just under the surrounding soil. Remember, however, that many xeric plants prefer unamended soil.

7. GIVE THE PLANT A GOOD SOAKING.Even water-thrifty xeric plants need a healthy drenching when transplanted.

Make sure you soak the plant’s entire root zone. (Keep in mind, too, that your newplants will need more frequent waterings during their first year than during subse-quent years.)

ALTHY XERIC PLANT

7. GIVE THE PLANT A GOOD SOAKING 8. MULCH IT!

4. CAREFULLY REMOVE PLANT FROM CONTAINER.Turn small plants upside down, supporting the soil with your hands. Tap the

pot to loosen the soil from the sides of the pot, then lift the pot off the root ball.Pulling annuals and perennials out by the stems and leaves can damage the plant.

8. MULCH IT!A thick layer of mulch (2-4” deep depending on the size of the plant) will

minimize evaporation, cool the soil and reduce weed growth. Crushed 3/8” or 3/4”gravel, coarse textured compost, and bark are three commonly used mulches.

10

9. USE EFFICIENT IRRIGATION.The majority of xeric plants suitable for New Mexico landscapes can be most

efficiently watered using drip irrigation. Drip emitters save water because theydeliver a slow, steady dose of water directly to a plant’s root zone, significantlyreducing water lost to evaporation.

10. MAINTAIN YOUR XERISCAPE. Even a low-maintenance xeriscape requires some maintenance. Periodically

check your irrigation system for leaks. Clean filter and check drip emitters to pre-vent plugging. For trees and large shrubs, you may need to move emitters outwardand add extra emitters as plants grow so the water soaks the entire root zone.

10 STEPS TO A HEALTHY XERIC PLANT

9. USE EFFICIENT IRRIGATION

10. MAINTAIN YOUR XERISCAPE

TIPS ON DRIP: THE BASIC COMP

Drip irrigation is the perfect method for wateringmost shrubs and trees. Drip irrigation systemssave water because they deliver slow, steadyamounts of water directly to plant roots. As a

result, drip systems cut down on evaporation, runoff andoverspray.

1. FILTER

Keeps sand and silt from cloggingsmall drip lines and drip emitters.

2. PRESSURE REGULATOR

Lowers the water pressure to theideal setting for a drip system(approximately 20-30 pounds persquare inch (psi)).

3. BACKFLOW PREVENTER/

ANTI-SIPHON VALVE

Keeps irrigation system water frombeing siphoned back into yourdrinking water. Backflow preventersare required by city ordinances.

4. MULTI-EMITTER HYDRANT

Delivers water from a single riserpipe to multiple locations. Eachoutlet’s flow rate can be individual-ly controlled by using emitters thatdeliver different amounts of water.

5. MICRO-TUBING

Delivers the water from a multi-emitter hydrant to the location ofindividual plants.

11

HOW MUCH WATER IS ENOUGH?

The chart below shows how much precipitationAlbuquerque receives each month, how much addition-al water the typical xeriscape needs, and how muchadditional water a traditional “high-water-use” land-

scape needs. You can see at a glance just how thirsty a tradi-tional lawn-dominated landscape is.

The irony is that many lawns actually receive too muchsupplemental water! Collectively, we tend to pour more wateron our lawns than is necessary for healthy growth andmaintenance. (The same is true for many trees, shrubs, andflowering plants.)

Some studies show that typical lawn sprinklers applywater at the rate of about 1 1/2” per hour. Unfortunately, thetypical lawn can only handle about 1/2” per hour beforebecoming saturated. So, leaving your sprinklers runninglonger usually doesn’t help your lawn a bit — and usuallyincreases runoff waste.

Instead, try a shorter water cycle, followed by an “off”cycle, followed by another short water cycle. This method givesthe first dose of water a chance to reach the roots— where itdoes the most good. After this water has soaked in, the seconddose of water actually helps push the first dose of water deeperinto the soil.

XERISCAPE BASICS

MPONENTS OF DRIP IRRIGATIONProfessional landscapers and irrigation companies

can design and install drip systems. Drip irrigation kitsare available at hardware stores, home centers andnurseries. The City also has a free Drip Guide and video.

6. DRIP EMITTERS

Connect to micro-tubing and deliverwater to specific plants at a slow, con-sistent rates. Flow rates are measuredin gallons per hour (GPH).

7. BUBBLER EMITTERS

Deliver water to a targeted location,usually at a higher GPH rate than adrip emitter. Bubblers are commonlyused to water trees, shrubs and dense-ly planted flower beds.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

0.4 0.39 0.45 0.54 0.64 0.6

1.41 1.42

0.93 0.830.46 0.47

8.5 inches per yearPRECIPITATION

31 inches per year

HIGH WATERTRADITIONALLANDSCAPE

0.800.51

1.15

2.21

3.66

5.10

5.74

5.14

3.54

2.02

0.74

0.37

Inches o

f W

ate

r

XERISCAPE

ESTIMATED MONTHLY PLANT WATER NEEDS AND RAINFALLBased on 30-year Weather Data (Albuquerque, NM Region)

A well-designed andmanaged xeriscapeshould use 5 to 15gallons of supple-mental water persquare foot per year.

Since spray irrigationsystems are very inef-ficient, it takes 40inches or more tomaintain high waterlandscapes. Expect touse 25 to 32 gallonsper square foot. SomeAlbuquerque land-scapes receive over100 gallons persquare foot per year!

Inches x .623 x Sq. Feet = GallonsGallons/.62/square feet = Inches of water

12

TREES AND SHRUBS

In hot, dry climates such as ours, people appreciatecool retreats from the fiery sun. One well-placedshade tree can transform a patio or deck from ascorching hot spot to a shady oasis. Buildings shaded

by trees also require less air conditioning, which willsave summer energy costs.

Trees provide visual interest and add “character” to asuburban landscape. There are many trees that adaptwell to our local climate. The same is true for shrubs; adelightful variety are well-suited for our climate becausethey can handle our summer heat, winter cold, and drygrowing environments.

When deciding what types of trees and shrubs toplant in your landscape, always consider the maturesize of the specimen. Make sure the spot you select givesthe tree or shrub enough “growing room” to reach itsfull height and width.

Another consideration is winter color. Many land-scape designers recommend that at least 30% of yourlandscape should be filled with evergreen trees andshrubs. That way, you’ll have some pleasing greeneryeven during the coldest winter months.

The trees and shrubs shown on the next few pagesare only a few of the choices recommended for the Cityof Albuquerque and similar Southwestern climates.

TREES AND SHRUBS

THE DESERT WILLOW IS A PERFECT TREE FOR ALBUQUERQUE’S HOT, DRY CLIMATEphoto by Charles Mann

TREES & SHRUBSDECIDUOUS TREES

13

CHILOPSIS LINEARIS (Desert Willow)(see full photo on opposite page)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 8-20 ft. tall, 10-15 ft. wideBlooming Season: May-JulyFlower Color: Pale pink to rosy purple.

A sturdy, heat-loving treethat’s native to warmdeserts, especially inarroyos. Grows well in NewMexico’s lowlands, butmay not be suited to eleva-tions above 5,500 or where

its cold hardiness is challenged. Compact and shrub-by in appearance, its leaves are long and thin and itsprofusion of pink trumpet-shaped flowers puts onquite a show. Long, pencil-like pods give the tree year-round character. Fast growing as a young tree, thenits growth slows as it matures.

FORESTIERA NEOMEXICANA

(New Mexico Olive)

Full Sun- Part Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 12-18 ft. tall, 10-15 ft. wideBlooming Season: Early Spring/ Flower Color:Yellow-Green.

Depending upon your landscape needs and prefer-ences, this native species can be pruned upward toform an attractive small tree or left in its natural,rounded shrub-like shape. The bark of its multipletrunks is a smooth pale gray, and its branches fork atodd, interesting angles. Clusters of small yellowishgreen flowers appear early in spring; female plantsproduce small fruits that attract songbirds. Toleratesdrought, but does best when roots receive a deepsoaking once or twice a month.

PISTACHIA CHINENSIS

(Chinese Pistache)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 40 ft. tall, 30 ft. wideBlooming Season: Mid- to Late-SpringFlower Color: Reddish

A wonderful shade tree when mature, the ChinesePistache can handle hot, dry desert conditions beauseof its deep taproot. Its glossy dark leaves put on adelightful fall show turning a bright crimson. Femaletrees develop small fruit if male trees are nearby.Stake young trees and prune lower branches to devel-op a crown high enough to walk under. Young treesmay have a slightly awkward form when young, butthe canopy fills out as trees mature. Tolerant of virtu-ally all soil conditions.

PROSOPIS VELUTINA

(Velvet Mesquite)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 15-30 ft. tall, 10-25 ft. wideBlooming Season: May-JuneFlower Color: Yellow.

The various species of mesquite are trees synony-mous with the desert Southwest. All are slow to leafout in the spring, but they make up for their tardi-ness with fragrant yellow flowers. Small, blue-greenleaflets give Velvet Mesquite a soft, lacey appearance.

Flat, narrow bean podshang from the treethroughout the summer.Its limited cold-hardinessmakes it a good choicewhere average annualminimum temperaturesstay above 5 degrees F;other mesquites found inthe Plant List are about 5degrees F more coldhardy.

QUERCUS SPP. (OAK)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 25-60 ft. tall, 15-60 ft. wide

Many species of Oak grow well throughout most ofNew Mexico. Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelii) is amoderate-sized tree that’s native from SouthernColorado through the canyons and foothills of NewMexico and Arizona. It grows slowly to 30 feet tall,sometimes taller when water is available. Most otheroaks grow taller, including Valley Oak (Quercuslobata), which can reach 40 feet, and Shumard Oak(Quercus shumardii), which can reach 60 feet witha 60-foot spread. Most oaks have lobed leaves thatturn from dark green to yellow-orange in the fall.

VITEX AGNUS-CASTUS

(Vitex or Chaste Tree)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 15-25 ft. tall, 10-15 ft. wideBlooming Season: July-AugustFlower Color: Blue-lavender.

Multi-branched, spreading, large shrub or small treethat features distinctive dark green palmate leaves. Itslow, open form can be pruned to grow more treeliketo create a small and lovely shade tree. In mid-sum-mer a profusion of 7-inch-long blue flower spikescreates a sweet aroma that attracts bumblebees. Doesbest in hot areas.

photo by Judith Phillips photo by Michael Melendres

photo by Hunter Ten Broeck

DECIDUOUS TREES

photo by David Cristiani

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS EVERGREEN TREES

14

CARYOPTERIS CLANDONENSIS

(Blue Mist Spirea)

Full Sun-part sun Medium Water Mature Size: 2 ft. tall, 3 ft. wideBlooming Season: July-AugustFlower Color: Blue-purple.

A vey popular, low-care shrub that’s perfect for land-scape or flower beds. It needs only average gardensoil to thrive. Hundreds of purple-blue flower spikescover the mature plant in late summer. Cut back 1/3of its previous year’s height in spring to encourageheaviest flowering. Butterflies love this shrub!

CHAMAEBATIARIA MILLEFOLIUM

(Fernbush)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 4-6 ft. tall, 5 ft. wideBlooming Season: Mid-SummerFlower Color: White.

Fernbush is a relatively little-known native plantthat’s great for use as a single specimen or in groupsand rows for visual screening and hedges. The showyflower spikes resemble those of white lilacs. Like theApache Plume, this shrub is semi-evergreen. Its olivegreen foliage remains on the ends of its stems inwinter. Upright, fuzzy stems grow from center ofplant, giving it a pleasant, round shape. This hardyplant loves south- and west-facing exposures andwell-drained soil.

FALLUGIA PARADOXA (Apache Plume)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 4-5 ft. tall, 4-5 ft. wideBlooming Season: AprilFlower Color: White.

This is one of the showiest of our native shrubs. Inspring it’s covered with tiny white, five-petaled flowersthat look like miniature white roses. (Apache Plume isin the rose family.) But this shrub really stands outwhen the pink, silky-plumed seed heads cover the tipsof its branches from late summer through fall.Plant it in well-drained soil in any hot, sunny loca-tion. Needs virtually no supplemental water onceestablished.

RHUS TRILOBATA (Three-Leaf Sumac)

Full Sun-Part Shade Low WaterMature Size: 3-6 ft. tall, 3-6 ft. wideBlooming Season: AprilFlower Color: Yellowish-green.

An ornamental native shrub that is well adapted to awide range of soils from sandy to rock to heavy clay.Three-Leaf Sumac is a moderate to fast grower,depending upon how much water it receives. Theunremarkable tiny flowers are followed by tart, redberries that are much sought after by wild birds. Agood choice for screening and wind breaks, its leavesturn glorious shades of red and orange in the fall.

CERCOCARPUS LEDIFOLIUS

(Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 10 ft. tall, 6 ft. wideBlooming Season: Early SpringFlower Color: Yellowish.

A shrub-like tree that’s native to dry mountain slopesbetween 4,000 and 9,000 feet in elevation. Because itis very slow growing, it can make an excellent hedgeor small character tree. Small flowers appear brieflyin spring, then yield to seeds with 2-3-inch-longplumes. The bark is light gray, almost white, and thesmall leathery leaves are dark green above and fuzzywhite below. Water to establish, then the tree can gounirrigated except in the hottest, driest weather.

PINUS ELDARICA (Afghan Pine)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 40 ft. tall, 18 ft. wide

Pine trees provide visual interest in a landscape andmuch-needed greenery in the coldest, most barrenmonths. Afghan Pine is one of the best desert pines.It thrives in heat, wind, poor soil— and it is rela-tively drought tolerant. However, it cannot toleratetemperatures below 0 degrees F. Its evergreen leaves(needles) grow in pairs and reach 5-6 inches long.This relatively fast-growing tree is great for wind-breaks and for creating a “visual screen” betweenproperties.

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

photo by Michael Melendres

EVERGREEN TREES EVERGREEN SHRUBS TREES & SHRUBS

15

PINUS NIGRA (Austrian Pine)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 35 ft. tall, 25 ft. wide

The typical Austrian Pine grows in a dense, stoutpyramid-like shape with a uniform crown. Its ever-green leaves (needles) are dark green, 3-6 incheslong, and sprout from the tree in pairs. The bark isdark brown or black. Its oval-shaped yellow-brownfemale cones are about 3 inches long. Austrian Pinemakes an effective windbreak, and it’s a good choicewhere winters are cold.

PINUS EDULIS (Pinon Pine)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 30 ft. tall, 20 ft. wideBlooming Season: Early Spring

Pinon Pines are one of New Mexico’s most recognizablenative trees. Horizontal branches make for a bushy,domed shape when mature. Its needles, which grow inpairs, are short, stiff and dark green. Its spherical conesproduce seeds (also known as Pinon Nuts) that areprized by wildlife—and humans as well. Pinons areoften used as accent plants, and specimens withgnarled trunks are especially prized. It grows best infoothill elevations, but can stand up to the heat andcold of most New Mexico locations.

ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA (Big Sage)

Full Sun-Part Sun Low WaterMature Size: 3-7 ft. tall, 3-5 ft. wide

When most people think of sagebrush, it’s Big Sagethat comes to mind. This aromatic shrub is nativethroughout the West in elevations from 1,500 to10,000 feet. Its small silver-gray leaves are narrow andhairy, and they contrast well with its rough black bark.Its flowers are basically insignificant; this plant isgrown for its native, rustic look that remains virtuallyunchanged year-round. Big Sage grows easily in virtu-ally any sunny, well-drained spot. A great xericplant— watering too much in mid summer can actu-ally kill it.

COWANIA MEXICANA (Cliffrose)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 8 ft. tall, 6 ft. wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Yellow.

Cliffrose makes an excellent companion for perennialsbecause its open-branched form casts light shade. Itsirregular shape lends a native touch to landscapes—which is appropriate since this plant is a New Mexiconative. Fragrant flowers cover the branches in earlysummer, a few of which remain virtually all summerlong. Feathery plumes form in mid-summer and per-sist into winter. (Consequently, Cliffrose is often mis-taken for Apache Plume). It can handle the hottestsouth–and west-facing exposures.

COTONEASTER BUXIFOLIUS

(Grayleaf Cotoneaster)

Full Sun-Part Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 2 ft. tall, 4-6 ft. wideBlooming Season: Spring-SummerFlower Color: Pink.

Grayleaf Cotoneaster, like most species of Cotoneaster,is a low-spreading shrub that is sometimes used as aninformal groundcover. Can be pruned back to create amore formal hedge shape. The small pink flowersbecome red berries that persist throughout fall. Itssmall gray leaves clothe 3-6 foot arching stems year-round. Grows well in moderately fertile soil.

SPARTIUM JUNCEUM (Spanish Broom)

Full Sun Medium Water Mature Size: 6-10 ft. tall, 4-10 ft. wideBlooming Season: May-JulyFlower Color: Yellow.

Spanish Broom makes a great shrub backdrop for aperennial bed and can also be used as a foundationplant. The dense, evergreen twigs are almost leafless,but they are literally covered with fragrant, brilliantyellow flowers in early summer. Thrives in alkalinesoils in full sun— to the point that it can crowd outother plants. Responds well to pruning and will growback vigorously.

photo by Hunter Ten Broeck photo by Hunter Ten Broeck

photo by Hunter Ten Broeck photo by Judith Phillipsphoto by Charles Mann

16

Nothing brightens up a desert landscape likeflowers. In this section, we focus on floweringplants that are well adapted to our high desertgrowing conditions.

Flowering xeric plants can beautify your yard andhelp to conserve our valuable water resources.Choosing the right xeric plants will attract butterfliesand wild birds to your landscape. At the same time, awell-planned xeriscape can increase the comfort levelof your home.

The plants featured in this section are but a fractionof those listed in the “Flowers and FloweringGroundcovers” section of the 1998 Albuquerque PlantList. (The list specifies the common names, scientific

names, plant types, water requirements and othercharacteristics of the approved plants. See page 38 forthe list in its entirety). Although it can’t possibly listevery plant that can grow in your area, theAlbuquerque Plant List can serve as a terrific resourceabout hundreds of plants that will grow and thrive inmuch of New Mexico.

Please keep in mind that even the most drought-resistant native plants need water more frequentlyduring the first year or two to establish the extensiveroot systems that make them so tough. (For example,you may need to water young plants twice a month ormore during the hot summer months.) After plantsare established, water less often.

FLOWERING PLANTSFLOWERING PLANTS

IMAGINE HOW GREAT YOUR GARDEN WILL LOOK WITH A BEAUTIFULLY MATCHED GROUPING OF LOW-CARE FLOWERS

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FLOWERING PLANTS

ACHILLEA TAYGETEA

(“Moonshine” Yarrow)

Full Sun Medium Water Mature Size: 24” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: July-AugustFlower Color: Yellow.

Highly adaptive in its soil and water needs, but growsbest in well-drained soils. The distinctive silver-grayfoliage is a fine backdrop for the lacy, lemon-yellowflower clusters that keep coming all summer. It canbe used in both xeric and traditional borders. Otherspecies of Achillea offer flowers in lighter shades ofyellow and also in red, pink and white.

AGASTACHE CANA (Giant Hyssop)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: July-SeptemberFlower Color: Rose-Pink.

Tubular, raspberry-pink flowers make Giant Hyssop afavorite of New Mexico’s gardeners and humming-birds. The flowers are prolific and continue throughthe fall. Native to the mountainous areas of southernNew Mexico and western Texas, Agastache cana doeswell in average garden conditions, mixing well withother late-blooming perennials. It’s cold hardy to -20˚F and also remarkably heat tolerant as long as it getsadequate water.

AGASTACHE RUPESTRIS

(Licorice Mint Hyssop)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: July-SeptemberFlower Color: Orange.

This southwestern native originates from the moun-tainous regions of southern Arizona and northernChihuahua, Mexico. It blooms from mid-summerthrough the fall with numerous spikes of gorgeousorange flowers. The thread-like, gray-green leaves givethe entire plant a very soft, wispy look. The fragranceof this plant is also wonderful, so place it where youwill brush against it when you walk by. Loves well-drained soil with plenty of summer heat. It’s also amust for hummingbird gardens!

ANACYCLUS DEPRESSUS (Mat Daisy)

Sun-Shade Low WaterMature Size: 6” tall, 12” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: White & Red.

This little-known plant originates in the mountainousareas of the Mediterranean, and has shown itself to bean easy-to-grow, cold-hardy rock garden plant. Dense1” tall feathery silver-gray foliage shows off the whitedaisy flowers in early spring. The undersides of theflower petals have a distinctive deep red color that isrevealed in the mornings before the flowers unfold. Matdaisy thrives in poor, well drained soil. A good plant foredging gravel pathways where it will re-seed itself andcolonize the area.

ARMERIA MARITIMA (Thrift)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 12” tall, 12” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Pink.

This plant is a rock garden favorite with its tidymound of grassy foliage and profusion of rose-pinkspherical flowers. Kept “deadheaded,” flowering willcontinue throughout much of the summer. Welldrained sandy or loamy soil is best for Armeria mar-itima. It appreciates regular watering during the heatof summer, although dryer conditions are fine forcooler times of the year. Armeria is perfect for inter-planting with blue flowering Veronica and whiteGreek yarrow, among others, for outstanding rockgarden color combinations.

ARTEMISIA ABROTANUM

(Southernwood)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 36” tall, 36” wideBlooming Season: July-AugustFlower Color: Yellow-Gray.

The soft, ferny green foliage looks like it doesn’tbelong to such a tough, indestructible plant. Rabbitand grasshopper proof, this plant is invaluable bothas a fine backdrop to highlight other plants andornamental grasses, and as a barrier plant to protectother less hardy perennials from hungry foragers.When brushed, the leaves give off a powerful scent.

CALLIRHOE INVOLUCRATA

(Poppy Mallow, Winecups)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: Late Spring-SummerFlower Color: Red-Pink.

The five petaled flowers of Poppy Mallow (also knownas Winecups) are a rich pinkish-red color with a whiteeye, and cover the plant all summer. The low spread-ing stems make this plant useful on slopes or cascad-ing over retaining walls. A valuable plant for hotsouth- or west-facing beds. Grows well in a wide rangeof soil types including clay. Gently re-seeds itself andwill slowly spread if you let it. Recommended compan-ion plants are Berlandiera lyrata (Chocolate Flower),Nepeta x faassenii (Catmint) and gray Santolina.

CALYLOPHUS SPECIES (Sundrops)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 18” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: Spring-SummerFlower Color: Yellow.

This spectacular native wildflower is ever-bloomingwith a profusion of large, bright yellow, four petaledflowers. The narrow gray-green foliage gives the planta lacy look in the garden. Calylophus thrives in theheat, and grows well in a wide range of soils, as longas they’re well drained. This tough plant is the star ofany dryland rock garden or xeriscape. A good shear-ing before the growing season starts in late spring willkeep it looking tidy and loaded with flowers.

FLOWERING PLANTS

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ARTEMISIA STELLERIANA

(Beach Wormwood)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 12” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: JuneFlower Color: White-Yellow.

Beach Wormwood exhibits a remarkable range ofadaptability, being equally at home as a ground coverin a coastal garden or a frigid mountain planting. Thescalloped, felt-like white foliage provides a fine carpet toplant under other xeric perennials such as Penstemons.Prompt removal of spent flowers or the flower spikes inmid-summer will maintain its rug-like look. Welladapted to varying soil types and watering regimes.

BERLANDIERA LYRATA

(Chocolate Flower)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 16” tall, 16” wideBlooming Season: Early Spring-SummerFlower Color: Yellow.

Step out into your garden on a clear summer morningand delight to the scent of chocolate that perfumes theair. This native wildflower blooms profusely all seasonwith cheery light yellow daisies; the sweetly fragrantblossoms really do smell just like chocolate! Easilygrown in a variety of soil types, this drought tolerantspecies readily re-seeds itself, making it a desirableaddition to any wildflower meadow or informal gardenarea. Surround Chocolate Flower with Callirhoe (PoppyMallow) for a bright summer-long show of color.

CENTRANTHUS RUBER (Red Valerian)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 36” tall, 36” wideBlooming Season: Late Spring-SummerFlower Color: Red.

Red Valerian is a versatile plant, being equally athome in both the xeric garden and traditional peren-nial border. Not fussy about its growing conditions,the showy rose-red flowers are continuous from latespring through summer. A willing re-seeder underfavorable conditions, Centranthus ruber prefers well-drained garden soil— not clay.

RED VALERIAN IS A GOOD RESEEDER

GAILLARDIA GRANDIFLORA

(Indian Blanketflower)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Yellow/Orange/Red.

Blanketflower is one of the most dependable perenni-al bloomers. It’s easy to grow and tough enough tohandle hot micro-climates. The flowers sport redcenters; the petals are orange with yellow tips. Theflowers keep coming all summer— just remove thespent blooms and another crop of flowers will appearin a couple of weeks. Although fairly drought toler-ant, regular watering produces the most prolificblooms.

GAURA LINDHEIMERI (Gaura)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 48” tall, 48” wideBlooming Season: June-SeptemberFlower Color: White or Pink.

A native to the Southwest, Gaura gives the garden awonderful informality with its long, wispy stems ofspider-like flowers. It responds with a profusion offlowers when wateredregularly during thesummer. Most vari-eties of Gaura featurewhite flowers, but anew variety called“Siskiyou Pink” (pic-tured at right) fea-tures pink blooms.Other native perenni-als that enjoy similargarden conditionsand combine wellwith Gaura includeEchinacea (PurpleConeflower) andAgastache cana(Giant Hyssop).

FLOWERING PLANTS

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COREOPSIS VERTICILLATA

(Threadleaf Coreopsis)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Yellow.

Coreopsis is a carefree perennial with fine, thread-likefoliage and pale, 2-inch-wide yellow flowers thatcover the plant all summer. Performs best in com-post-enriched soil. Add soil sulphur to keep the foliagenicely green. It is relatively late to awaken from itswinter dormancy, so be patient! The “Moonbeam”cultivar is one of the most drought-tolerant varietiesand bears flowers that are pale yellow.

ECHINACEA PURPUREA

(Purple Coneflower)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 36” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: Late SummerFlower Color: Pink/Golden.

This favorite wildflower blooms heavily for manyweeks in late summer, making this plant invaluablefor brightening the garden in the dog days of sum-mer. The center of each flower is a large, golden-tinged conical globe, which is surrounded by purple-pink petals. The plant dies back to the ground duringwinter, but returns strongly in spring. Prefers com-post-amended, well-drained soil.

HELIANTHUS MAXIMILLIANA

(Maximillian Sunflower)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: up to 120” tall, 120” wideBlooming Season: September-OctoberFlower Color: Yellow.

Maximillian Sunflower produces one of the mostspectacular late-season bursts of color. The tall flow-ering spikes, up to 20 or 30 in a mature clump, arecovered with up to 30 or more yellow, closely spaceddaisies. Place Helianthus against walls or fences ormake a hedge with it, but don’t put it in the middleof your most fertile flower beds, as it will crowd outweaker neighbors. The more water it receives, thetaller it gets. (Growing Tip: put it in a tomato cageearly in the season and let the tall stems grow upthrough it so they don’t flop over with the weight oftheir flowers later in the fall.)

HYMENOXYS SCAPOSA (Perky Sue)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 12” tall, 12” wideBlooming Season: April-AugustFlower Color: Yellow.

A wonderful everblooming yellow daisy that is bothheat loving and drought tolerant. The narrow, silver-green foliage is evergreen and supports short stems ofyellow daisies starting in spring. A vigorous re-seeder,it quickly colonizes harsh areas of the garden. Use itto interplant with cold hardy cacti. Provide lean, well-drained soil. Once established H. scaposa is very xericand needs little extra water.

SUMMER-BLOOMING LAVENDER

The genus Lavandula is a favoritegroup of ornamental herbs nativeto southern Europe and theMediterranean. These are sun- lov-

ing plants that thrive in hot weather andgrow well in the West in a wide range ofsoils, even compost enriched gardenloams, as long as they are well drained.Heavy, poorly drained clay soils can befatal to lavenders.

In spring, before the plants begin toshow signs of new growth, cut back theold stems by one-third to re-invigorate theplant and encourage a good show ofsummer flowers. Lavender plants requiretwo to three growing seasons to reachmature size.

The two major groups of Lavendersinclude the English Lavenders (L. angus-tifolia varieties) and the Lavandins (L. xintermedia varieties) which are hybridsbetween English lavender and anotherspecies, Lavandula latifolia. Generallyspeaking the English lavenders have thedeepest flower color, while the Lavandinsare taller plants with larger flowers andlonger flower stems.

The English lavenders are often preferredas a source of dried flowers while theLavandins are typically used for oil produc-tion, potpourris, and lavender wands.

FLOWERING PLANTS

KNIPHOFIA UVARIA (Red Hot Poker)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 36” tall, 36” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Orange.

A sturdy South African native known for its tough,easy-to-grow nature. It has long grasslike foliage andunusual bicolor flower spikes in shades of orange andyellow. A substantial plant that looks great alone or inlong beds lining driveways or entrances where dry-ness and alkaline soils might defeat even a daylily.Particularly attractive with Yarrow.

LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA

(English Lavender)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 36” tall, 36” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Lavender.

An old favorite, Lavender is a dependable performerblooming with pleasing purple flower spikes. In fact,this is the kind of plant that quickly becomes afavorite of everyone who grows it. Its compact silver-green leaves and gorgeous flowers combine well withmany xeric and hardy garden perennials. A superbplant for edging walks and paths and wherever thearomatic flowers and foliage can be enjoyed.

LINUM PERENNE (Blue Flax)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 18” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: Late Spring-SummerFlower Color: Blue.

Blue Flax is one of the favorite Western plants for gar-dens. These profuse blue flowers match the summersky. It is often used for meadows because it’s a strongre-seeder. Extremely cold hardy, it is a fine choice forcold, short season areas throughout the mountains.An undemanding plant, it’s happy in any well-drained garden soil or lean rock-garden mix. Trim offthe faded flowers and it will usually re-bloom, orleave the old flowers to re-seed and naturalize itself.

NEPETA MUSSINI SYN FASSENII

(Catmint)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 8” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: May-AugustFlower Color: Blue.

Catmint has become a cornerstone in manyxeriscapes because of its hardiness and long period ofbloom. The first flush of blue flowers comes in latespring. When deadheaded promptly, a second flushblooms in late summer. Out of flower, the neatmound of gray-green foliage has a pleasing fragranceand texture. Adaptable to any well-drained soil,Catmint can handle a range of light from full sun tolight shade. Trim back in late winter for prolificblooms the following spring.

“PROVENCE”, A LAVANDIN VARIETY

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An essential plant in any xeriscape,Penstemons are unsurpassed inattracting hummingbirds to yourgarden. For those of you who are

unfamiliar with this wonderful group ofplants, we’ve included descriptions and pho-tos of three of the most popular varieties.

Because many Penstemons are adapted togrow in harsh Western habitats, it is impor-tant to keep a few considerations in mindwhen bringing them into your garden:

1. Plant only in well-drained soils. Wet clay soilsand Penstemons aren’t compatible. Avoid overlyenriched soils. Too much compost can actually short-en their life spans.

2. When putting container-grown Penstemons intoyour garden, plant high, leaving the top of the root-ball just above the surrounding soil to avoid buryingthe crown of the plant.

3. Mulch with gravel mulch. This not only keepsthe plant’s crown dry over the cold, wet wintermonths but it will encourage the plants to re-seedand increase their numbers.

4. To keep some of the shorter-lived Penstemonsgoing, allow some of the plants to set seed. (Don’t“deadhead” them— in other words don’t cut off allthe spent flower stalks.) The volunteer seedlings willbe more vigorous and longer lived than the originalparent plant.

PENSTEMON CLUTEI

(Sunset Penstemon)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: June-JulyFlower Color: Pink.

Sunset Penstemon is a verysought after species that’sthought to be a naturalhybrid between P. palmeriand P. pseudospectabilisPenstemon clutei is nativeto a very limited area in andaround an extinct volcanonorth of Flagstaff, Arizona.The large sunset pink flow-

ers are set on tall spikes above the crinkled blue-greenfoliage. Remove faded flowering spikes to prolongblooming throughout the summer months andextend the lifespan of the plant. P. clutei requires avery fast-draining, compost-free soil.

FLOWERING PLANTS

OENOTHERA BERLANDIERI

(Mexican Evening Primrose)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 12” tall, 60” wideBlooming Season: June-SeptemberFlower Color: Pink.

A heat loving plant that thrives in sunny, dry areasalong sun-baked south- and west-facing walls andpavement areas. Spreading rapidly on shallow rootswhen the hot summer weather arrives, give this beau-ty plenty of room to grow as it will overrun smaller,less vigorous plants. Everblooming, its showy pinkflowers will last from early summer through fall.Preferring unimproved, well drained soils, this plantrequires little extra water once established. Makes agood planting companion for Russian Sage(Perovskia) and Gray Santolina.

OSTEOSPERMUM BABERIAE

(Hardy African Daisy)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 4” tall, 12” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Purple-Pink.

The compact growth of the Hardy African Daisymakes it a choice plant for the front of a perennialborder. Plant it in well-drained, compost-enriched soil(it doesn’t like heavy clay). Maintain even soil mois-ture, taking care not to overwater. Cold hardy forCentral New Mexico’s climate, but doesn’t likeextremely hot micro-climates.

PENSTEMON PINIFOLIUS

(Pineleaf Penstemon)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 12” tall, 20” wideBlooming Season: June-JulyFlower Color: Orange.

Pineleaf Penstemon is an outstanding but often over-looked species from southern New Mexico andArizona. Blooming for 6-8 weeks in mid-summer, thetubular orange flowers are profuse, attracting hum-mingbirds from miles around. P. pinifolius is long-lived and grows easily in both xeric and traditionalperennial gardens. As the plant matures, the stemsbecome woody, forming an attractive evergreenshrublet with bright green needle-like foliage.

PENSTEMON STRICTUS

(Rocky Mountain Penstemon)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: May-JuneFlower Color: Purple.

A native Penstemon of the foothills and mountains ofthe southern Rockies (sometimes known as“Beardtongue”), this plant grows well in central NewMexico. It grows well in full sun, yet can toleratesome shade. Its tall, showy spikes of purple flowerslast for over a month in the late spring. Spreadingsteadily via stolons to form large clumps of dense

green foliage, RockyMountainPenstemon is one ofthe longest livedand most easilygrown of thePenstemons.

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THE PLEASING POWER OF PENSTEMONS

ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS “ARP”

(“ARP” Upright Rosemary)

Sun-Shade Low WaterMature Size: 6 ft. tall, 6 ft. wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Light Blue.

Known primarily as an evergreen shrub, Rosemary isa bushy plant featuring stiff upright stems and softblue flowers in summer. Rosemary officinalis “Arp”has proven itself to be a cold hardy selection, extend-ing its use into New Mexico’s higher elevations. Agreat choice for hot walls and corners and otherareas that get intense reflected heat. Plant in combi-nation with other heat-loving plants like Zauschneriacalifornica (Hummingbird Plant), Lavandula, andCalylophus (Sundrops).

FLOWERING PLANTS

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PEROVSKIA ATRIPLICIFOLIA

(Russian Sage)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 5 ft. tall, 5 ft. wideBlooming Season: June-SeptemberFlower Color: Lavender-Blue.

Russian Sage is an indispensable plant for theWestern garden. It is native to the harsh, high desertsof Afghanistan and thrives in Albuquerque’s growingconditions. Russian Sage blooms for several monthsbeginning in late summer, when the white stems andaromatic silver-gray foliage are crowned with smoky-blue flower spikes. Deep rooted, heat loving and xeric,it’s not the least picky about soils, and it thrives inalmost any location. A fine companion plant forornamental grasses and flowering perennials.

RATIBIDA COLUMNIFERA

(Prairie Coneflower, Mexican Hat)

Full Sun Low Water/ Mature Size: 32” tall, 32” wideBlooming Season: June-SeptemberFlower Color: Yellow-Orange.

The roadsides of northeastern New Mexico light upwith color in mid-summer when large stands ofPrairie coneflower come into bloom. This drought-tolerant plant is easy to establish, and it naturalizesreadily so you can grow your own stand of wildflow-ers. Prairie Coneflower (a.k.a. Mexican Hat) is aheavy bloomer, with a mature plant producing hun-dreds of flowers with distinctive mahogany-red petalsedged in yellow. Cold hardy and able to handle hotsummers as long as it gets deep watering twice amonth when flowering.

SALVIA OFFICINALIS (Garden Sage)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: August-OctoberFlower Color: Violet-Blue.

Yes, Garden Sage is an aromatic herb. Its leaves canbe used to flavor meats such as pork, goose andsausage. Equally impressive is its beauty in the gar-den. The fuzzy leaves of Garden Sage are a delightfulgray-green. Two-foot-tall spikes covered with violet-blue flowers appear in late summer and last until fall.Handles drought well once established.

SALVIA GREGGII (Autumn Sage)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 36” wideBlooming Season: May-SeptemberFlower Color: Red.

Autumn Sage (sometimes called Cherry Sage for itscherry-red blossoms) is a valued xeric plant for itstightly branched upright growth and its profusion offlowers that begin in early summer. Culturally unde-manding, Autumn Sage tolerates a wide range ofsoils— as long as they are quick draining. Just a bitof extra water during dry spells encourages moreflowers.PRAIRIE CONEFLOWER (MEXICAN HAT)

SAPONARIA OXYMOIDES (Soapwort)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 9” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Pink.

Soapwort’s bright pink flowers make it a terrific bor-der plant in a flower garden as well as a beautifulflowering ground cover. A vigorous grower, it readilyre-seeds itself and will spread rapidly in a favorablesituation. (Be sure the neighboring plants are large,robust growers so they don’t get smothered!) Promptshearing as the flowers fade keeps it tidy and preventsre-seeding.

SEDUM TELEPHIUM

(Autumn Joy Sedum)

Sun-Shade Low WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Red.

Once you have gone through the fall with “AutumnJoy” in your garden, you’ll wonder how you ever livedwithout it. Not what you typically think of as aSedum, this tall upright variety blooms with largeflower heads that start pink and age gracefully to arich bronze. Nice as a dried everlasting flower.

FLOWERING PLANTS

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SOLIDAGO CANADENSIS (Goldenrod)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 36” tall, 36” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Yellow.

Contrary to popular belief, Goldenrod doesn’t alwayscause hay fever; it just gets blamed because it is sovisible when other wind-blown pollen is in the air.The graceful golden-yellow plumes do a fine job ofbrightening a garden in late summer when so fewother plants are in bloom. The flowers are good forcutting or for drying. Goldenrod is easy to grow andthrives in any average garden soil.

SANTOLINA CHAMAECYPARISSUS

(Gray Santolina)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 18” tall, up to 36” wideBlooming Season: JuneFlower Color: Yellow.

A terrific evergreen perennial known for its button-like yellow flowers and its unique aromatic silver-green foliage that looks great all year long. Its woodystems are densely covered with fine, whitish grayleaves (which is why it’s sometimes known as“Lavender Cotton”). Can be used as a groundcover oras a foreground planting in a bed of perennials orshrubs. With a little extra shearing to remove fadedflowers and tighten up the shape in early spring, itgives a garden the look of age and maturity. Very coldhardy and heat tolerant.

SPHAERALCEA INCANA

(Scarlet Globemallow)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 20” tall, 20” wideBlooming Season: June-SeptemberFlower Color: Red-Orange.

Globemallow is a welcome sight in mid-summer whenthe heat has driven many other flowers out of bloom.Sphaeralcea’s long wands of red-orange flowers resem-ble miniature hollyhocks. A deep rooted wildflowernative to northern New Mexico, Scarlet Globemallow isnot the least bit picky about its soil and thrives inheavy clay. Cut last year’s stems back to ground leveleach spring for best appearance. Plant amongstCallirhoe involucrata (Poppy Mallow), another claylover, for a great summer color combination.

GLOBE MALLOW FLOWERS RESEMBLEMINIATURE HOLLYHOCKS

STACHYS BYZANTINA (Lamb’s Ear)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 12” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: JuneFlower Color: Lilac.

There aren’t many plants that require less care thanLamb’s Ear. It’s a vigorous plant that can grow in fullsun or filtered shade. The woolly white leaves (whichgive the plant its common name) form an attractivedense mat. The tall silvery flower spikes are inset withhundreds of small lilac flowers. Cut off spent flowersright away to keep a neater look. An outstandingplant for the perennial bed or xeric garden. Goodplanted under Russian Sage (Perovskia) or Artemisiaabrotanum with its contrasting deep green foliage.

FLOWERING PLANTS

24

EVAPORATION AND

TRANSPIRATION

Evapo-transpiration is a very bigword that refers to how muchwater leaves the soil and plantsin our yards due to temperature,

humidity, solar radiation and wind.High water-use plants have a highevapo-transpiration rate (ET rate) —which means that they lose water veryquickly.

The City of Albuquerque’s ParksManagement Division monitors thecurrent ET rate at five locationsthroughout the city. If your computerhas a modem, you can call 857-8045to access current ET information, orvisit http://weather.nmsu.edu for statewide weather data.

TANACETUM DENSUM-AMANI

(Partridge Feather)

Sun-Shade Low WaterMature Size: 12” tall, 12” wideBlooming Season: Early SummerFlower Color: Yellow.

Partridge Feather’s incredible silver-white leavesattract the attention of everyone; you can’t help butpet the soft foliage. The plant forms a dense carpet offoliage topped with clusters of yellow button flowersin early summer. It thrives in the sunniest, hottestspot you can find. Needs well drained soil.

A HUGE, COLORFUL PLANTING OF POPULAR WATER-WISE FLOWERING PLANTS IN BLOOM, M

ZAUSCHNERIA CALIFORNICA

(Hummingbird Plant)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 36” wideBlooming Season: Late Summer-Early FallFlower Color: Red.

Along the front range in Colorado, gardeners havecome to associate fall and the buzz of busy humming-birds with the blazing scarlet Zauschnerias.Hummingbird Plant puts on an extravagant display ofred-orange flowers. It thrives planted in front of hotsouth and west facing walls andwalks, in areas that might fryless heat-loving plants. Plant inwell drained soil; not too muchclay. Hummingbird trumpetappreciates regular watering thefirst year or two, particularlyduring dry winters, to help get itwell established.

FLOWERING PLANTS

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VERONICA SPICATA (Veronica)

Sun-Shade High WaterMature Size: 36” tall, 36” wideBlooming Season: Early SummerFlower Color: Purple-Blue or Rose-Pink.

Most species of Veronica feature tall spikes of bluish-purple flowers. The “Heidekind” variety pictured hereshows that Veronicas now offer pink hues as well.Make no mistake about it, Veronica is an oasis plant,so place it where it will get ample water and after-noon shade. A fine companion plant for filling inaround Lavender, Santolina, and Catmint (Nepeta).

DEEPER IS BETTER

Water slowly, deeply and infrequently toincrease plants’ rooting depth. Themore developed a plant’s root system,the more drought-tolerant the plant

becomes because it can draw water from a largervolume of soil.

WATER REQUIREMENTSHigh Water Use: Regular application ofwater is needed throughout the life of theplant. Water at least once a week during peaksummer months.

Medium Water Use: Some supplementalwater is needed throughout the life of theplant. Water at least twice monthly duringpeak summer months once plant is estab-lished.

Low Water Use: No supplemental water isneeded once the plant is established(although watering once a month is helpfulfor the plant to look its best).

, MANY WHICH ARE FEATURED IN THIS SECTION

Hardy Hummingbird

Plant thrives planted in

front of hot south and

west-facing walls and

walks, in areas that

might fry less heat-

loving plants.

26

DESERT ACCENTSDESERT ACCENTS

THE UNCOMMON BEAUTY OF WINTER-HARDY CACTI AND SUCCULENTS CAN WORK MAGIC IN YOUR GARDEN

One of the delights of landscaping in centralNew Mexico is the availability of cacti andother desert accent plants that will grow andthrive in our climate. The uncommon beauty

of winter-hardy cacti and succulents can work magicin your garden, transforming it into an enchantingxeric retreat.

Some of the plants featured in this section are nativeto the American Southwest. Others are unusual, cold-hardy plants from South Africa. We’ve deliberately

included a few plants that aren’t listed on theAlbuquerque Plant List. (Remember, the City’s plantlist is a terrific guide to waterwise plants— but it sim-ply can’t include every xeric plant that will grow in ourclimate.)

The plants featured in this section need little or nosupplemental water, so place them in the “arid” zonesof your landscape. They will provide visual interestthat will help give your landscape a delightfully dis-tinctive xeric look.

photo by Charles Mann

DASYLIRION WHEELERI (Sotol)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 60” tall, 48” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: White.

Sotol is a very handsome, rather slow-growing succu-lent with large rosettes of long, flexible half-inch-wideblue-green leaves edged with white teeth. With age,the plant develops a woody trunk (up to 4 feet high)and eventually blooms producing a narrow 10-foot-tall white-flowered spikes. An invaluable xeric orna-mental for use all across the Southwest.

CORYPHANTHA VIVIPARA

(Clustering Pin Cushions)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 4” tall, 6” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Pink.

Coryphantha is a very adaptable species, making it afine choice if you’ve never grown winter hardy cactibefore. Its dense gray-white spines obscure the stemand show off the large rose-pink flowers, which coverthe plant in late spring. Clustering Pin Cushions isequally at home in the rock garden or in a xericlandscape planted with Penstemons, Zinnia grandi-flora (Prairie Zinnia) or Calylophus (Sundrops).

ECHINOCEREUS COCCINEUS

(Spiny Hedgehog)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 5” tall, 15” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Red.

Spiny Hedgehog is often found nestled in rocky ledgesunder the shade of pines throughout its habitat inNew Mexico and southern Colorado. The spines areneedle-sharp and caution should be used in plantingthis showy hedgehog out of harm’s way. Being amountain dweller, Spiny Hedgehog doesn’t mindbeing under snow for much of the winter.

AGAVE PARRYI

(Parry’s Century Plant)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 30” tall, 30” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Yellow.

An impressive species from western New Mexico andeastern Arizona, Parry’s Century Plant is one of themost cold hardy of the Agave family. Forming large,heavily toothed rosettes, the sword-like leaves areblue-green. When the plant decides to bloom (aftermany years of slow growth), it sends up a huge 12-15-foot flowering spike that will attract humming-birds from miles around. Agaves need a long periodof hot summer weather to re-grow their fleshy rootsafter transplanting.

ALOINOPSIS SPATHULATA

(Hardy Living Stone)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 1” tall, 6” wideBlooming Season: Early SpringFlower Color: Pink.

This unique plant, which is native to South Africa,slowly grows to form a tight evergreen mat of blue-gray clam shaped leaves. The huge shimmering pinkdaisies poke up just above the foliage in early spring.Hardy Living Stone needs a fast-draining rock soil,with the roots situated so they grow down 4-6” intothe subsoil. It can be used as an desert accent or aslowly creeping groundcover. 27

DESERT ACCENTS

SOTOL IS AN INVALUABLE XERIC PLANT

28

FOUQUIERIA SPLENDENS (Ocotillo)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 96” tall, 60” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Red.

Ocotillo’s slender, whip-like green stems provide anexcellent accent in a xeric landscape. After spring orsummer rains, the thorny stems sprout fleshy greenleaves and scarlet flowers. Ocotillo is a slow grower,usually growing a foot or less each year. It requireswell-drained soils and will thrive in hot, sunny micro-climates.

ECHINOCEREUS VIRIDIFLORUS

(Green-Flowered Hedgehog)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 5” tall, 5” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Green.

This small hedgehog forms small clusters of two orthree stems. Bright red and white spines contrastnicely with the bright green flowers that ring the stemin late spring. Flowers are fragrant, often with a hintof citrus. These plants thrive throughout central NewMexico.

ESCOBARIA ORCUTTII

(Clustering Snowball)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 5” tall, 8” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Pink.

Clustering Snowball has glistening white-spined stemsthat ring themselves with pink- or salmon-coloredflowers. Native to southwestern New Mexico, it thrivesin baking heat but has remarkable cold tolerance.Quick-draining soil is a must for this plant.

ECHINOCEREUS REICHENBACHII

(Oklahoma Hedgehog)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 4” tall, 6” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Pink.

Native to a limited area in the mountains of south-western Oklahoma, this is one of the most beautifulof the Echinocereus species. The albispinus variety,shown here, features long, pure white spines andlarge, soft pink flowers. At maturity, it forms tightclusters of numerous stems.

ECHINOCEREUS TRIGLOCHIDIATUS

(Claret Cup Hedgehog)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 6” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Red.

Claret Cup Hedgehog is a substantial plant that formslarge clusters of thick-spined stems. The glowing red-orange cupped flowers come in early summer, mak-ing Claret Cup the star of the garden when it blooms.It thrives in hot, sunny locations in well-drained,rocky soil.

DESERT ACCENTS

photo by Charles Mann

HESPERALOE PARVIFLORA

(Texas Red Yucca)

Full Sun-Part Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 36” tall, 36” wideBlooming Season: May-JuneFlower Color: Reddish-Orange.

Hesperaloe is a veryshowy plant native tosouthern Texas andnortheastern Mexico. Notonly does it thrive in hot,dry summers, it is alsoremarkably tolerant tosub-zero winter tempera-tures. Evergreen clumpsof narrow, dark bluish-green leaves make agreat accent of year-round texture. In earlysummer it sends up 3-4foot stalks covered withreddish flowers. A great-looking, low-mainte-nance plant that attractshummingbirds.

RUSCHIA HAMATA (Trailing Iceplant)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 5” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Pink.

Trailing Iceplant is a cold-hardy plant with woodyweeping stems covered with small, succulent ever-green leaves. It’s a good choice in rock gardenswhere it can cascade over a rock or piece of weatheredwood. A heavy bloomer, the entire plant disappearsunder hundreds of small fuchsia-pink flowers in latespring. Ruschia hamata looks great when inter-planted with various cacti and other upright succulents.

TITANOPSIS CALCAREA

(Concrete Leaf Living Stone)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 1” tall, 6” wideBlooming Season: Early SpringFlower Color: Yellow.

This species is the most cold hardy in this genus ofSouth African succulents closely related to Aloinopsis(Hardy Living Stone). Titanopsis needs a fast-drain-ing rock garden soil, with the roots situated so theygrow down 4-6 inches or more between closely spacedrocks into the subsoil. (Open soil beds with no rockshold too much moisture around the roots in winterand can cause the roots to rot.) The succulent leavesof this plant are gray and warted, closely resemblingthe rock-strewn ground of its native habitat. Largeshiny yellow flowers appear in early spring. 29

DESERT ACCENTS

XERISCAPE TIPS

R ainwater can be directedtoward your native andxeric plants with land

contouring. (Just take a shoveland shape the soil into earthenbasins around all trees andshrubs.) By using our naturalrainwater efficiently, you maynever have to provide supple-mental water to drought-toler-ant plants once they are wellestablished.

• Anywhere rainwaternaturally collects — off a roof or at the base of aslope — can be turned into amini-oasis zone.

XERISCAPE SAVES

• Xeriscape Saves Water.

Drought-tolerant plants don’t

need to be watered as fre-

quently.

• Xeriscape Saves Time.

You’ll spend less time fertil-

izing, mowing and watering.

• Xeriscape Saves Money.

Enjoy lower water bills and

lower maintenance costs!

HESPERALOE FLOWER

30

GROUNDCOVERSGROUNDCOVERS

DENSE-GROWING GROUNDCOVERS, LIKE DELOSPERMA, ADD BEAUTY TO A LANDSCAPE AND REDUCE THE LABOR OF WEEDING.

The best-known and most widely-used type ofgrowing groundcover is turfgrass (lawn), but it’sfar from the only form of groundcover available.A wide variety of perennial plants can be used as

low-maintenance groundcovers. Not only do they addbeauty to a landscape, but dense-growing groundcoversalso reduce the labor of weeding.

Many of the groundcovering plants found in this sec-tion are common in many parts of New Mexico. Othersare less-used plants whose growing characteristics arewell-suited to our climate. Most grow well in full sun;others thrive in part or full shade.

The type of groundcovering plants you select shoulddepend upon several factors— including the micro-

climate of the area you want to cover (full sun, after-noon shade, etc.), the size of the area, and whetherthere will be any foot traffic through the area.

Note, too, that there are quite a few flowering peren-nial plants that were included in the “FloweringPlants” section that make great groundcovers in somelandscapes. Anacyclus depressus (Mat Daisy) andOenothera berlandieri (Mexican Evening Primrose)are two examples of plants that appear in theFlowering Plants section, but they also qualify as greatgroundcovers.

So don’t limit yourself to lawn when it’s time toselect a groundcover!

photo by Charles Mann

CERATOSTIGMA PLUMBAGINOIDES

(Hardy Plumbago)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 12” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: Early FallFlower Color: Blue.

An outstanding, long-lived groundcover that slowlyweaves itself into the garden, creating large drifts offall color. The deep blue flowers, which begin as theweather begins to cool and days grow shorter, arenumerous and long lasting. As the plant’s floweringfinishes, its leaves begin a month-long change to avivid mahogany-red color. Plumbago is extremelyadaptable, growing equally well in sun or shade, andthriving in a wide range of soil types.

DELOSPERMA COOPERI

(Hardy Purple Iceplant)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 6” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Purple-Pink.

Purple Iceplant is another fine South African intro-duction, valued for its shimmering fuchsia-purpledaisies that keep coming all summer. A vigorousspreader, it forms adense mat of succulent,linear green leaves inany well drained soil.Stop watering in mid-fall to harden for winter.This plant has become astaple in xeric gardens.Right at home whereplanted to spread on topof gravel mulch; it helpsto cool down these hotareas.

DELOSPERMA NUBIGENUM

(Hardy Yellow Iceplant)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 3” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Yellow.

Yellow Iceplant is an outstanding groundcover androck garden plant, recommended for its vigorous car-peting growth habit. The foliage is succulent and ever-green, with a bright red winter color. Blooming for amonth in late spring, the plant covers itself with hun-dreds of yellow daisies. Not as heat tolerant asDelosperma cooperi (Purple Iceplant) because itcomes from colder, higher mountains in South Africa.

ACHILLEA AGERATIFOLIA

(Greek Yarrow)

Sun-Shade Low WaterMature Size: 6” tall, 12” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: White.

This slow-growing little plant is equally at home inthe rock garden or perennial border when used as agroundcover or edging plant. Greek Yarrow is a reli-ably heavy bloomer, covering itself with bright whiteclusters of tiny flowers for many weeks in late spring.The dense gray-green foliage is tidy and evergreen(particularly in milder climates), which gives theplant season-long interest.

CERASTIUM TOMENTOSUM

(Snow-in-Summer)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 8” tall, 24” wide Blooming Season: Late Spring-SummerFlower Color: White.

A sure-to-please groundcover that grows easily in anywell-drained soil and spreads quickly by reseedingitself. Fragrant white flowers by the thousands high-light Snow-in-Summer in late spring. Shear off thefaded flowers to maintain a tidy mat of fuzzy silvery-green leaves for the rest of the growing season. Itssilver-green leaves are semi-evergreen, so even whenthe plant’s not flowering it looks great in a rockgarden or perennial border.

31

GROUNDCOVERS

HARDY PLUMBAGO IS AN OUTSTANDING, LONG-LIVED GROUNDCOVER

32

PENSTEMON CAESPITOSUS

(Mat Penstemon)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 4” tall, 12” wideBlooming Season: Early SpringFlower Color: Purple-Blue.

The “Claude Barr” variety of Penstemon caespitosusshown below left is a vigorous ground-hugging selectionof the mountain-dwelling Colorado native commonlyknown as Mat Penstemon. It features rounded glossydark green foliage and bluish-purple trumpet-shapedflowers. Excellent as a rock garden groundcover. True toits mountain origins, this plant is not recommended forthe hottest, driest micro-climates in your yard.

RUSCHIA PULVINARIS

(Shrubby Iceplant)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 3” tall, 12” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Pink.

This plant will thrill and intrigue rock gardeners,whetting their appetites for the many new cold hardySouth African succulents being introduced. Easilygrown in lean, well-drained rock garden soil, the suc-culent evergreen stems and leaves form a tight cush-ion over which hundreds of shimmering fuchsia pinkflowers come into bloom for three to four weeks inlate spring. This is a great xeric groundcover!

HELIANTHEMUM NUMMULARIUM

(Yellow Rockrose)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 6” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Yellow.

Yellow Rockrose never fails to cover itself with brightyellow flowers just before the arrival of summer. Italso can tolerate the worst possible weather. Deep root-ed with evergreen foliage, this tough little plant needsonly occasional deep soakings and shrugs off thealkalinity of New Mexico’s soil. Shear back after flow-ering for light repeat blooming later in the summer.

GROUNDCOVERS

YELLOW ROCKROSE IS A STAR PERFORMER AND GROUNDCOVER FAVORITE

MAT PENSTEMON RUSCHIA GIVES A CARPET OF COLOR

THYMUS SERPYLLUM “Pink Chintz”

(Pink Chintz Creeping Thyme)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 1” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: SpringFlower Color: Pink.

A very low grower, excellent for planting betweenpavers and flagstone. With attractive evergreen foliageand profuse salmon-pink flowers beginning in earlyspring, “Pink Chintz” is typically one of the firstthymes to bloom. It is also one of the most tolerant ofdry conditions, but it grows vigorously with extrawater. Trim off faded flowers to keep it looking neat.

HOW TO PLANT AND

MAINTAIN A THYME LAWN

Thyme is an increasingly populargroundcover alternative to turfgrass-es. Thyme “lawns” are best suited tosmaller areas up to a few hundred

square feet. A spreading groundcover ofthyme is especially attractive in intimateareas like courtyards and patios where theedges can be interplanted with taller peren-nials and ornamental shrubs. (For largerexpanses in your yard, consider usingBuffalograss. See the following section for acomplete description.)

Thyme lawns tolerate moderate foot traf-fic, but they aren’t suitable for a kid’s playarea. Use stepping stones to avoid wearing apath through the plants.

Before planting, prepare the soil thor-oughly to a depth of 6 inches. Work in com-post and other organic matter to increasethe water-retention abilities of your soil. Ifreplacing a grass lawn with thyme, be verysure the grass is dead— including the roots!

Thyme plants should be spaced 12-15 inches apart in a grid pattern. Plugscan be planted more closely for fasterfill-in. Expect coverage in four to fivemonths, depending on soil prepara-tion, weather, and care. Different vari-eties can be intermingled. Eventually,one or two varieties may predominate.

The water needs of a thyme lawnare substantially less than that of abluegrass lawn, particularly withproper soil preparation to promotedeep root growth. During the heat ofthe summer, a thyme lawn mayrequire watering two or three times aweek. During the winter months(December through March), wateringevery 2-4 weeks is recommended.

In most of New Mexico, a thymelawn will generally be evergreen.

THYMUS LANUGINOSUS (Woolly Thyme)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 2” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: NoneFlower Color: None.

A fine low-maintenance variety with tiny felted grayleaves; it rarely flowers. Looks good all season, and isone of the better choices for high traffic areas. Afavorite between flagstones or mixed into a thymelawn to contrast with green-leaved varieties. Its dark,evergreen foliage looks great all year.

THYMUS SERPYLLUM (Creeping Thyme)

Sun-Shade

Medium WaterMature Size: 2” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season:Early SummerFlower Color: Pink.

Another popular thymebecause of the way it“pours” itself betweenrocks and other plants toform a tight rug of smalloverlapping gray-greenleaves. Pink flowersbloom right on top of thefoliage in early- to mid-summer. A slow-growingselection that’s equally athome in the rock gardenor between flagstones inthe patio. Thymus serpyl-lum appreciates wintermoisture in the form ofsnow cover or supplemen-tal watering.

33

GROUNDCOVERS

CREEPING THYME “POURS” ITSELF BETWEEN ROCKS AND OTHER PLANTS

34

VINCA MAJOR (Giant Periwinkle)

Shade-Partial Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 12” tall, 48” wideBlooming Season: Late SpringFlower Color: Light Blue.

A plant recommended for use in the most inhos-pitable of spots in your yard where other less muscu-lar groundcovers have failed. A large-leafed evergreen,vinca grows equally well in sun or deep shade. Thequarter-sized flowers are a soft blue and appear in latespring. Avoid planting with other flowers as it willoverrun its neighbors. Excellent for covering slopedareas. It’s even deer resistant!

VERONICA PECTINATA (Wooly Speedwell)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 3” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: Early SpringFlower Color: Blue.

This is another great groundcovering Speedwell,unique because of its dense growing wooly gray-greenfoliage. The 4-inch-tall spikes of deep blue flowers witha white eye appear in early spring— usually a fewweeks before Veronica liwanensis. A good re-bloomer inlate summer when given encouragement with a bit ofextra water. A very vigorous, long bloomer when plant-ed into good garden soils enriched with compost.

ZINNIA GRANDIFLORA (Prairie Zinnia)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 4” tall, 6” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Yellow.

This diminutive wildflower thrives in some of the mostinhospitable terrain imaginable. This plant can be achallenge to get established, but it will delight youwith its bright yellow flowers in late summer. PrairieZinnia is long lived and spreads slowly by reseedingitself. This plant has interesting needle-like foliage ontrailing stems. It won’t break dormancy until earlysummer arrives, so be patient. Zinnia is right at homewith native cacti and xeric Penstemons.

VERBENA PERUVIANA (Verbena)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 9” tall, 18” wideBlooming Season: SummerFlower Color: Lavender to Red.

Verbena is a vigorous spreading groundcover.Extensive trials across the U. S. have proven its valueas a heat-loving, profuse-blooming favorite. Thelarge bright lavender-purple flower clusters keep com-ing all summer. Let it go dry as fall comes to a closeto harden off for winter. Makes a colorful foundationfor taller growing perennials like Achillea“Moonshine” and Coreopsis “Sunray.”

VERONICA LIWANENSIS

(Turkish Speedwell)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 3” tall, 24” wideBlooming Season: Early SpringFlower Color: Blue.

This is a vigorous, fast-growing species that thrives indifficult climates. The ground-hugging stems developround glossy evergreen leaves as they creep across thegarden. The result is a thick green carpet. Veronicaliwanensis can be used like thyme to create a ground-cover “lawn.” With the first hint of warmer weather,the small but numerous spikes of flowers paint thegarden blue like a reflection of the sky. Prefers someafternoon shade in summer.

GROUNDCOVERS

VERBENA IS A VIGOROUS SPREADING GROUNDCOVER WITH BRIGHT RED FLOWERS

35

TURF & GRASSESTURF & GRASSES

CONVERT YOUR HIGH-WATER USE LAWN TO A BEAUTIFUL NATIVE GRASS LAWN LIKE THIS BUFFALO GRASS.

The lawn is the thirstiest part of the typical sub-urban yard. A Kentucky Bluegrass lawn needsmore than 40 inches of water each year to keepit green and lush. But throughout New Mexico,

our annual precipitation is about 12”. That’s why aBluegrass lawn must be watered regularly— particu-larly during the hot summer months.

If you’re fond of the lush look of green grass butwant to cut your exterior water usage, consider convert-ing your lawn to native grasses. Two different types ofwater-thrifty grasses are ideally suited to our climate—

Buffalograss and Blue Grama. Some homeownershave successfully used a mixture of the two varietiesbecause Blue Grama fills in quickly and Buffalograssbecomes dense over time.

In addition, there are many types of water-wise orna-mental grasses that can add visual interest to yourlandscape. These ornamental grasses can be used inperennial flower beds and in place of woody shrubs toadd texture to your landscape.

Kiss your old Kentucky Bluegrass goodbye and gonative!

photo by Charles Mann

36

BOUTELOUA GRACILIS

(Blue Grama Grass)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 4-12” tall

Blue Grama is another warm-season grass thatthrives in New Mexico. Its thin pale-green blades givea Blue Grama lawn a pleasing, fine texture. Its dis-tinctive seed heads, which appear in mid to late sum-mer, resemble tiny purplish eyelashes.

Blue Grama thrives in hot microclimates, and it’stough enough to survive sub-zero winter weather. Itestablishes most quickly in well-drained soil. A denselawn of Blue Grama will need watering only aboutonce a week during the hottest summer months. BlueGrama establishes itself faster than Buffalograss, sothe two species are often combined to quickly form athick, drought-tolerant lawn.

BUCHLOE DACTYLOIDES (Buffalograss)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 3-8” tall

This native prairie grass is an excellent replacementfor water- thirsty Kentucky Bluegrass. Buffalograssdoesn’t tolerate a lot of shade, but when grown in asunny location it forms a durable turf able to with-stand moderate foot traffic, pests, and diseases. It is arobust, sod-forming species that spreads quickly withvigorous runners, creating an inviting soft blue-greenlawn. When dormant in late fall through spring itturns a soft beige color.

Buffalograss requires minimal mowing and littleor no fertilization. It’s a warm-season grower perfectlyadapted to central New Mexico. To stay green in thehot summer months, this grass needs only two inchesof water per month!

Buffalograss growsquickly. It can be plantedusing seed or “plugs” ofstarter plants. Seedshould be sown in thespring or early summer;plugs can be planted inspring or in the fall, fourto eight weeks before thefirst expected frost date.Once established, you’llenjoy a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn withdrastically lower waterbills for years to come.

Buffalo grass is notcontent on sandy soils.Use blue grama on sandysoils or mix buffalograssand blue grama.

TURF & GRASSES

HELPFUL HINTS

• Native grasses germinate best in warmweather. Once grass is up and growing,water deeply but less frequently.

• The first season it is planted, a nativegrass lawn should not be mowed or fer-tilized. This is especially true if weedcompetition was not eliminated beforeseeding.

• Fertilize lightly with a complete lawnfertilizer in the second year.

GROW YOUR OWN!

If you are slowly converting

your lawn, you can create your

own native grass nursery by cut-

ting 2” plugs (down to root depth)

and planting them 12 inches

apart. Water them well for two to

four weeks. Thereafter, you can

cut back on the frequency and

increase the duration of water-

ing. Keep in mind that planting

grass using plugs is more labor

intensive and requires more

weeding until the

grass fills in.

Flats of Buffalo

Grass Plugs make

planting easy.

A lawn planted with

plugs on 12”

centers will take

about 3-4 months to

fill in.

DISTINCTIVE EYELASH SEED HEADS OF GRAMA GRASS

BUFFALOGRASS REQUIRES MINIMAL MOWING AND LITTLE OR NO FERTILIZATION

STIPA TENNUIFOLIA

(Silky Threadgrass)

Full Sun Low WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 24” wide

Plant this ornamental grass where a gentle breezewill sway it as the late afternoon sun shines throughfrom behind. Stipa grows well in all kinds of soils andis very water thrifty once established. Good in wild-flower gardens, this plant will readily reseed itselfamong its neighbors.

MISCANTHUS SINENSIS

(Maiden Hair Grass)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 60” tall, 48” wide

The various cultivars ofMaiden Hair Grass areused for their elegantfoliage and showy flow-ering plumes. Gracefulgreen leaf blades giverise to feathery copperflower plumes in lateSeptember or earlyOctober. Grows easily incompost-enriched gar-den soils, Miscanthussinensis likes regularwatering. Cut back inearly spring to 15-18” togive the new foliageroom to grow. A matureplant will re-grow to itsfull height that sameseason.

ALBUQUERQUE PLANT LIST

The Albuquerque Plant List, whichbegins on the next page, includes575 plants suited to Central NewMexico, but many are adaptable

elsewhere in the state. Since your landscapeis a long-term investment, we strongly rec-ommend consulting additional referencesfor more detailed information.

Some communities have landscaping ordi-nances and/or covenants. Before you designyour landscape, investigate restrictions thatmay apply. Albuquerque residents should beaware of the following City Ordinances:

WATER CONSERVATION LANDSCAPINGAND WATER WASTE ORDINANCEApplies to all building permits issued on orafter October 1, 1995. Limits certain highwater use plants to a maximum of 20 per-cent of the landscape area. (Call 924-3849for more information).

POLLEN CONTROLORDINANCEProhibits Cupressus(cypress), Morus (mulberry)and Ulmus (elm). LimitsJuniperus (juniper) tofemale plants only, exceptvarieties not exceeding twofeet high at maturity.Prohibits Populus, exceptRio Grande Cottonwood,lanceleaf cottonwood andquaking aspen. (Call 768-2600 for more information).

FESTUCA OVINA GLAUCA (Blue Fescue)

Full Sun Medium WaterMature Size: 12” tall, 12” wide

An easy-to-grow ornamental grass with a pleasingtufted shape, outstanding when used to border flowerbeds and walks. Blue Fescue is compact and has abright steel-blue foliage. Shear off the seed heads afterit finishes blooming in late summer. Divide theclumps in spring every few years to renew its vigorand help it keep its best color and shape.

HELICTOTRICHON SEMPERVIRENS

(Blue Avena Grass)

Sun-Shade Medium WaterMature Size: 24” tall, 24” wide

This evergreen plant adds texture and color over theentire growing season. The stiff gray-blue leaves arevery striking and provide the foundation for the orna-mental 4-foot-tall flower spikes that shoot up andripen to a soft brown by mid-summer. Cut back inApril to encourage vigorous new growth.

37

TURF & GRASSES ORNAMENTAL GRASSES

PLANT LIST

38

Scientific Name

CommonName

Approx. Height

Approx. Spread

Decidiuous/Evergreen

LightExposure

WaterUse

RebateAllowance

AllergenicPotential

(Italics indicate regulated for water conservation.Call 924-3849 for information)

(Bold face indicates regulated for pollen.Call 768-2600 for information)

“Rebate Allowance” Columns Represent Mature Plant Square Footage Allowed forXeriscape Rebate

DESERT ACCENTSAgave americana Century Plant 6’ 6’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25Agave chrysantha Golden-flowered Agave 3’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 18Agave havardiana Havard Agave 4’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 18Agave lechuguilla Lechuguilla 1’ 5’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low 15 LowAgave palmeri Palmer’s Agave 3’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 18Agave parryi / neomexicana Parry’s / Mescal Agave 2’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 12 LowAgave scabra Rough Agave 4’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 18Agave utahensis Utah Agave 1’ 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 10Agave victoria-reginae Queen Victoria Agave 1’ 1’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 6Cylindropuntia clavata Club / Dagger-spine Cholla 4” 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 12 LowCylindropuntia imbricata Walkingstick Cholla 8’ 6’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowCylindropuntia leptocaulis Desert / Christmas / Pencil Cholla 6’ 8’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowDasylirion leiophyllum / texanum Green / Texas Sotol 5’ 5’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 20Dasylirion wheeleri Blue Sotol / Desert Spoon 5’ 5’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 20 LowEchinocereus spp. Hedgehog Cactus 2’ 3’ Evergreen Sun Low 15 LowFouquieria splendens Ocotillo 15’ 10’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 25 LowHesperaloe capanulata Bell-flowered Hesperaloe 4’ 5’ Evergreen Sun Low+ 15 LowHesperaloe funifera Giant / Coahuilian Hesperaloe 6’ 5’ Evergreen Sun Low+ 20 LowHesperaloe parviflora Red/Yellow-flowering Yucca 3’ 4’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 15 LowNolina matapensis Tree Beargrass 10’ 5’ Evergreen Sun Low+ 25 LowNolina microcarpa Beargrass 5’ 6’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 18 LowNolina nelsoni Blue Nolina 15’ 6’ Evergreen Sun Low+ 25 LowNolina texana Beargrass 4’ 5’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 18 LowOpuntia ellisiana / cacanapa Spineless Prickly Pear 4’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 30 LowOpuntia engelmannii Desert or Engelmann Prickly Pear 5’ 8’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 30 LowOpuntia macrocentra Purple Prickly Pear 3’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 30 LowOpuntia violacea Santa Rita Prickly Pear 3’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 30 LowOpuntia phaecantha Brownspine Prickly Pear 3’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 30 LowOpuntia hystricina Porcupine Prickly Pear 1’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 30 LowOpuntia polyacantha Starvation Prickly Pear 1’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 30 LowYucca aloifolia Spanish Dagger 6’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 30 LowYucca baccata Datil / Banana Yucca 4’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowYucca baileyi / harrimaniae Bailey / Harriman Yucca 1’ 1’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowYucca brevifolia Joshua Tree 15’ 15’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 25 LowYucca decepiens Mexican Tree Yucca 15’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowYucca elata Soaptree Yucca 20’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowYucca faxoniana / carnerosana Palm Yucca 15’ 6’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowYucca filamentosa Adam’s Needle Yucca 3’ 3’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 25 LowYucca glauca Soapweed 3’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowYucca neomexicana New Mexico Yucca 2’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowYucca pendula / recuervifolia Soft-leaf Yucca 5’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 25 LowYucca rigida Blue Yucca 4’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowYucca rostrata Beaked Yucca 15’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowYucca schidigera Mojave Yucca 5’ 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowYucca schottii Mountain Yucca 5’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 25 LowYucca thomsoniana Thompson Yucca 8’ 6’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowYucca torreyi Torrey Yucca 15’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 Low

FLOWERING BULBSCrocus spp. Crocus 6” 6” Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 2 LowHyacinthus orientalis Hyacinth 1’ 1’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 2 LowIris (rhizome-type) Bearded Iris 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowIris spp. (bulb-type) Bulb Irises 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowLycoris squamigera Pink Amaryllis 18” 18” Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 2 LowNarcissus spp. Daffodil 1’ 1’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 2 LowTulipa spp. Tulips 1’ 8” Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 2 Low

FLOWERING PLANTSAbronia sp. Sand Verbena 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 8 LowAchillea ageratifolia Greek Yarrow 6” 1’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low 4 LowAchillea millefolium Yarrow 2’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 8 LowAchillea taygetea Moonshine Yarrow 2’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 8 Low,Aethionema cordifolium Persian Rockcress 6” 1’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 4 LowAgastache cana Giant Hyssop 2’” 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowAgastache rupestris Sunset Hyssop 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowAlcea rosea Hollyhock 5’ 1’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowAloinopsis spathulata Hardy Living Stones 1” 6” Evergreen Full Sun Low 2 Low

PLANT LIST

39

Scientific Name

CommonName

Approx. Height

Approx. Spread

Decidiuous/Evergreen

LightExposure

WaterUse

RebateAllowance

AllergenicPotential

Amsonia arenaria Sand Stars 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 8 LowAnacyclus depressus Mat Daisy 6” 1’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 2 LowAnemopsis californica Yerba de Mansa 18” 18” Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 8 LowAntennaria rosea Pussytoes 6” 1’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low 4 LowAnthemis tinctoria Golden Marguerite 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowArgemone squarrosa Prickly Poppy 3’ 2’ Deciduous Sun/shade Low 8 LowArmeria maritima Thrift 1’ 1’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 2 LowArtemisia abrotanum Southernwood 3’ 3’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 12 LowArtemisia frigida Fringed Sage 18” 18” Deciduous Full Sun Low 6 LowArtemisia ludoviciana Prairie Sage 18” 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 16 LowArtemisia pontica Roman Wormwood 4’ 4’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 24 LowArtemisia stelleriana Beach Wormwood 1’ 2’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 8 LowAsclepias tuberosa Butterflyweed 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 16 LowAster novae-angliae Aster 4’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowBerlandiera lyrata Chocolate Flower 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 3 ModerateCallirhoe involucrata Poppy Mallow/Winecups 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 8 LowCalylophus species Sundrops 1’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 6 LowCampanula carpatica Carpathian Harebells 8” 2’ Deciduous Shade/sun High 0 LowCampanula rotundifolia Harebells 18” 2’ Deciduous Shade/sun High 0 LowCastilleja spp., Indian Paintbrush 2’ 1’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 2 LowCentaurea cineraria Dusty Miller 2’ 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 8 LowCentaurea dealbata Persian Cornflower 1’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 6 LowCentranthus ruber Red Valerian 3’ 3’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 12 LowCerastium tomentosum Snow-In-Summer 8” 2’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 8 LowCeratostigma plumbaginoides Dwarf Plumbago 1’ 2’ Deciduous Shade/sun Medium 8 LowChasmatophyllum musculinum Hardy Tiger Jaws 1” 1’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 2 LowChrysanthemum maximum Shasta Daisy 4’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowChrysanthemum x morifolium Chrysanthemum 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowChrysopsis villosa Golden Aster 18” 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 6 LowClarkia unguiculata Clarkia, annual 3’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowColchicum autumnali Autumn Crocus 6” 6” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 2 LowConvolvulus cnoreum Bush Morning Glory 1’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 18 LowCooperia drummondi Rain Lily 10” 10” Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 2 LowConsolida ambigua Larkspur, annual 5’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowCoreopsis lanceolata Coreopsis 3’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowCoreopsis verticillata Threadleaf Coreopsis 24” 24” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowConvallaria majalis Lily of the Valley 1’ 1’ Deciduous Shade/sun High 0 LowDalea frutescens Black Dalea 2’ 4’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 15 LowDalea versicolor Mountain Dalea 3’ 5’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 15 LowDatura meteloides Sacred Datura 2’ 8’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 24 LowDelosperma aberdeenese Tufted Iceplant 1” 8” Evergreen Full Sun Low 2 LowDelosperma cooperi Purple Iceplant 6” 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 6 LowDelosperma nubigenum Yellow Iceplant 3” 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 6 LowDelosperma sphalmanthoides Tufted Iceplant 1” 8” Evergreen Full Sun Low 2 LowDianthus barbatus Sweet William, biennial 20” 20” Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 2 LowDianthus deltoides Maiden Pink 1’ 1’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 2 LowDicentra spectabilis Bleeding Heart 2’ 2’ Deciduous Shade/sun High 0 LowDictamnus spp. Gas Plant 4’ 4’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 20 LowDimorphotheca sinuata African Daisy 1’ 1’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 2 LowDuchesnea indica Mock Strawberry 8” 2’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 10 LowEchinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower 5’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowEchinops species Globe Thistle 4’ 4’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 20 LowErigeron spp. Fleabane Daisy 1’ 1’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 6 LowEriogonum umbellatum Sulphur Flower 1’ 18” Evergreen Full Sun Low 6 LowErysimum hieraciifolium Siberian Wallflower 18” 18” Evergreen Full Sun Medium 6 LowErysimum linifolium Wallflower Bowles’ Mauve 2’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 12 LowEuphorbia spp. Spurge or Euphorbia varies varies Evergreen Sun/shade Low 8 LowGaillardia x grandiflora Gaillardia 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowGaura lindheimeri Gaura 4’ 4’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 20 LowGeum ciliatum Prairie Smoke 2’ 2’ Evergreen Full Sun High 0 LowGeranium macrorrhizium Geranium 4” 18” Deciduous Shade/sun Medium 6 LowGypsophila paniculata Baby’s Breath 3’ 3’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 15 LowGysophila repens Creeping Baby’s Breath 4” 1’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 2 LowHelianthemum spp. Sunrose 6” 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 6 LowHelianthus annuus Sunflower varies varies Deciduous Full Sun Medium 0 LowHelianthus maximilliana Maximillian Sunflower 6’ 8’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowHemerocallis hybrids Daylilies 2’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 15 LowHeuchera sanguinea Coral Bells 2’ 2’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowHosta spp. Plantain Lily 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowHymenoxys acaulis Angelita Daisy 1’ 1’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 2 LowHymenoxys argentea Perky Sue 1’ 1’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 2 LowHypericum calycinum St. Johnswort 1’ 1’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 2 Low(Italics indicate regulated for water conservation.Call 924-3849 for information)

(Bold face indicates regulated for pollen.Call 768-2600 for information)

PLANT LIST

40

Scientific Name

CommonName

Approx. Height

Approx. Spread

Decidiuous/Evergreen

LightExposure

WaterUse

RebateAllowance

AllergenicPotential

Iberis sempervirens Candytuft 1’ 18” Evergreen Sun/shade Medium+ 6 LowIpomoea leptophylla Bush Morning Glory 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 20 LowKniphofia uvaria Red Hot Poker 5’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 15 LowLamium maculatum Spotted Nettle 6” 6” Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowLiatris punctata Gayfeather 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 15 LowLiatris scariosa Tall Gayfeather, 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 15 LowLinaria spp. Butter and Eggs / Baby Snapdragon 18” 18” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 2 LowLinum perenne Blue Flax 18” 18” Evergreen Full Sun Medium 6 LowLiriope spp. Lily turf 9” 9” Evergreen Shade/sun Medium+ 2 LowLobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower 4’ 4’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowLobelia laxiflora Red Lobelia 10” 10” Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 2 LowLupinus argenteus Silverstem Lupine 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 8 LowLupinus hybrids Lupine 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowLupinus texensis Texas Bluebonnet 1’ 1’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowMarrubium rotundifolia Roundleaf Horehound 8” 18” Evergreen Full Sun Low 6 LowMelampodium leucanthum Blackfoot Daisy 1’ 16” Deciduous Full Sun Low 6 LowMirabilis jalapa Four-O’Clock 4’ 4’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 20 LowMirabilis multiflora Giant Four O’Clock 2’ 5’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 25 LowMonarda spp. “Beebalm, Lemon Mint” varies varies Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowNepeta mussini syn faassenii Catmint 8” 2’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 8 LowNierembergia hippomanica ‘Violacea’ Cup Flower 8” 8” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 6 LowOenothera berlandieri Mexican Evening Primrose 1’ 5’ Semi-Ever Full Sun Low+ 25 LowOenothera caespitosa White Evening Primrose 1’ 1’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 6 LowOenothera hookerii Evening Primrose 2’ 5’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 25 LowOenothera missourensis Yellow Evening Primrose 1’ 1’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 8 LowOenothera pallida Pale Evening Primrose 18” 18” Evergreen Full Sun Medium 6 LowOsteospermum baberiae Hardy African Daisy 4” 1’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 2 LowPaeonia lactiflora Peony 2’ 3’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium+ 15 LowPapaver nuducale Iceland Poppy 18” 18” Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowPapaver orientale Oriental Poppy 3’ 3’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 15 LowPenstemon spp. Penstemon or Beardtongue varies varies Semi-Ever. Sun/shade Low+ 5 LowPenstemon ambiguus Bush Penstemon 2’ 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 8 LowPenstemon angustifolius Narrowleaf Penstemon 1’ 1’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 4 LowPenstemon barbatus Scarlet Bugler Penstemon 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 4 LowPenstemon cardinalis Cardinal Penstemon 30” 30” Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 8 LowPenstemon clutei Sunset Penstemon 2’ 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 8 LowPenstemon jamesii Penstemon, James 10” 10” Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 8 LowPenstemon palmeri Palmer Penstemon 5’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 8 LowPenstemon pinifolius Pineleaf Penstemon 1’ 20” Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 8 LowPenstemon pseudospectabilis Desert Beardtongue 3’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 4 LowPenstemon secundifloris Sidebells 1’ 8” Deciduous Full Sun Low 2 LowPenstemon strictus Rocky Mtn Penstemon 2’ 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 8 LowPerovskia atriplicifolia Russian Sage 5” 5” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 25 LowPetalostemon purpureum Prairieclover 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 15 LowPhlomis fruticosa Jerusalem Sage 2’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 15 LowPhlox paniculata Summer Phlox 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowPhlox subulata Creeping Phlox 6” 6” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowPhyla nodiflora Creeping Lippia 3” 3” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 4 LowPhysalis lobata Purple Groundcherry 6” 6” Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 4 LowPotentilla tabernaemontani Spring Cinquefoil 6” 18” Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 6 LowPsilostrophe tagetina Paperflower 16” 16” Deciduous Full Sun Low 6 LowRanunculus repens Creeping Buttercup 18” 18” Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowRatibida columnifera Coneflower 32” 32” Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 15 LowRudbeckia fulgida Goldsturm Rudbeckia 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowRudbeckia laciniata Golden glow 7’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 15 LowRuschia hamata Trailing Iceplant 5” 18” Evergreen Full Sun Low 6 LowRuschia pulvinaris Shrubby Iceplant 3” 1’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 4 LowRuta graveolens Rue 3’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 15 LowSalvia azurea grandiflora Pitcher Sage 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 15 LowSalvia chamaedryoides Mexican Blue or Chihuahuan Sage 1’ 3’ Semi-Ever. Full Sun Low+ 8 LowSalvia officinalis Garden Sage 2’ 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 8 LowSaponaria ocymoides Soapwort 9” 18” Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 8 LowScabiosa caucasica Pincushion Flower 2’ 2’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowSedum spp. Stonecrop varies varies Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 8 LowSedum spectabile Stonecrop 2’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 25 LowSedum telephium Autumn Joy Sedum 2’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 6 LowSempervivum tectorum Hen and Chicks 6” 6” Evergreen Full Sun Medium 8 LowSenecio longiflora Silver Groundsel 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 8 LowSolidago hybrids Goldenrod 3’ 3’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 15 LowSphaeralcea spp. Globemallow 20” 20” Deciduous Full Sun Low 8 LowStachys byzantina Woolly Lamb’s Ear 1’ 18” Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 6 LowTagetes erecta African Marigold, annual 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 Low(Italics indicate regulated for water conservation.Call 924-3849 for information)

(Bold face indicates regulated for pollen.Call 768-2600 for information)

PLANT LIST

41

Scientific Name

CommonName

Approx. Height

Approx. Spread

Decidiuous/Evergreen

LightExposure

WaterUse

RebateAllowance

AllergenicPotential

Tagetes lucida Licorice Mint Marigold 18” 18” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 6 LowTagetes patula French Marigold, annual 18” 18” Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowTalinum calycinum Flame Flower 8” 8” Deciduous Sun/shade Low 2 LowTanacetum densum-amani Partridge Feather 1’ 1’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 2 LowTanacetum vulgare Tansy 3’ 3’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 15 LowThelesperma ambigua Rayed or Threadleaf Cota 32” 32” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowThymus spp. Thyme varies varies Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 5 LowVerbena spp. Verbena varies varies Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 10 LowVerbena bipinnatifida Fern Verbena 1’ 1’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 6 LowVerbena rigida Sandpaper Verbena 8” 4’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 8 LowVerbena wrightii Western Vervain 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 2 LowVerbena x hybrida Garden Verbena 1’ 1’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowVeronica spp. Speedwell varies varies Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 6 LowVeronica incana Silver Speedwell 18” 18” Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 6 LowVeronica liwanensis Turkish Speedwell 3” 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 6 LowVeronica pectinata Wooly Speedwell 3” 18” Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 10 LowVeronica spicata Veronica 3’ 3’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowViola cornuta Tufted Violet 1’ 1’ Evergreen Sun/shade High 0 LowViola odorata Sweet Violet 8” 8” Evergreen Sun/shade High 0 LowViola x wittrockiana Pansy, annual 9” 9” Evergreen Full Sun High 0 LowWyethia scabra Desert Mule’s Ear 2’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 15 LowZauschneria californica Hummingbird Plant 2’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 15 LowZephyranthes candida Rain Lily 8” 8” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 2 LowZephyranthes sulphurea Rain Lily 8” 8” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 2 LowZinnia acerosa White Desert Zinnia 6” 10” Deciduous Full Sun Low 2 LowZinnia grandiflora Desert Zinnia 8” 16” Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 2 Low

GRASSES, TURF Agrostis spp. Bentgrass mowed N/A Evergreen Full Sun High 0Bouteloua gracilis Blue Grama varies N/A Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 1 ModerateBuchloe dactyloides Buffalograss mowed N/A Deciduous Full Sun Medium 1Cynodon dactylon Bermudagrass mowed N/A Deciduous Full Sun Medium 1 LowFestuca elatior & all Festuca Turf Tall Fescue mowed N/A Evergreen Sun/shade High 0 LowFestuca ovina except ‘Glauca’ Sheep’s Fescue mowed N/A Evergreen Sun/shade High 0 LowLolium perenne & all Lolium Ryegrass, perennial mowed 12” Evergreen Sun/shade High 0Poa pratensis & all Poa Kentucky Bluegrass mowed N/A Evergreen Sun/shade High 0 LowZoysia spp. Zoysia grass mowed N/A Deciduous Full sun Medium 1

GRASSES, ORNAMENTALAgropyron smithii Western Wheatgrass 24” 24” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 6Arundo donax Carrizo Cane 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowBouteloua curtipendula Sideoats Grama 30” 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 4 ModerateCortaderia selloana Pampas Grass 12’ 9’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 30 LowEragrostis tricodes Sand Lovegrass 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 15 LowErianthus ravennae Ravenna Grass 12’ 9’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 30 LowFestuca ovina glauca Blue Fescue 1’ 1’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 2 LowHelictotrichon sempervirens Blue Avena Grass 2’ 1’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 8 LowHilaria jamesii Galleta 14” 14” Deciduous Full Sun Low 8 LowMiscanthus spp. Maiden Grass 5’ 5’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium+ 20 LowMuhlenbergia capillaris Gulf Muhly 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 15 LowMuhlenbergia lindheimerii Lindheimer Muhly 5’ 5’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 25 LowMuhlenbergia porteri Bush Muhley 2’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 15 LowMuhlenbergia rigens Deer Grass 4’ 4’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 20 LowMuhlenbergia rigida Purple Muhly 2’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 15 LowOphiopogon japonicus Mondo grass 6” 6” Evergreen Shade/Sun Medium+ 2 LowOryzopsis hymenoides Indian Ricegrass 18” 18” Deciduous Full Sun Low 6 LowPennisetum aloepecuroides Hardy Fountain Grass 30” 30” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 12 LowPennisetum villosum Dwarf Feathertop 24” 24” Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 LowPhyllostachys aurea Golden bamboo 15’ 15’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium+ 24 LowSchizachyrium scoparium Little Bluestem 2’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 12 LowSporobolus cryptandrus Sand Dropseed 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 8 LowSporobolus airoides Alkali Sacaton 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 10 LowSporobolus wrightii Giant Sacaton 5’ 5’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 20 LowStipa tennuisima Threadgrass 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 8 Low

GROUNDCOVERSAnacyclus depressus Mat Daisy 6” 1’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low 2 LowArctostaphylos uva-ursi Kinnikinnick 9” 2’ Evergreen Shade/sun Medium 8 Low(Italics indicate regulated for water conservation.Call 924-3849 for information)

(Bold face indicates regulated for pollen.Call 768-2600 for information)

PLANT LIST

42

Scientific Name

CommonName

Approx. Height

Approx. Spread

Decidiuous/Evergreen

LightExposure

WaterUse

RebateAllowance

AllergenicPotential

Artemisia frigida Fringed Sage 18” 18” Deciduous Full Sun Low 6 LowBaccaris pilularis Dwarf Coyotebush 18” 3’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low 15 LowBaccharis X ‘Centennial’ Centennial Broom 3’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 18 LowBaccharis X ‘Starns’ Thompson Broom 2’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 18 LowCerastium tomentosum Snow-In-Summer 8” 2’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 12 LowChamaemelum nobilis Chamomile 6” 1’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 2 LowClematis ligusticifolia Western Virginsbower 18’ 18’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 16 LowConvallaria majalis Lily of the Valley 1’ 1’ Deciduous Shade/sun High 0 LowCotoneaster dammeri Bearberry Cotoneaster 1’ 9’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 50 LowCotoneaster salicifolius ‘Repens’ Willowleaf Cotoneaster 1’ 9’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowCytisus decumbens Creeping Broom 8” 3’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 15 LowDelosperma cooperi Purple Iceplant 6” 18” Deciduous Full Sun Low 6 LowDelosperma nubigenum Yellow Iceplant 3” 18” Evergreen Full Sun Low 6 LowDichondra spp. Dichondra 2” 2” Deciduous Sun/Shade High* 0 LowDuchesnea indica Mock Strawberry 8” 2’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 8 LowEriogonum umbellatum Sulphur Flower 1’ 18” Evergreen Full Sun Low 6 LowEuonymus fortunei ‘Coloratus’ Purpleleaf Wintercreeper 1’ 4’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium+ 15 LowEuphorbia cyparissias Cypress Spurge 1’ 1’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 2 LowEuphorbia epithymoides Cushion Spurge 1’ 18” Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 6 LowEuphorbia rigida Spurge 2’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low 8 LowGalium odoratum Sweet Woodruff 6” 1’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowJuniperus chinensis “Juniper, groundcover” varies varies Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 High*Juniperus horizontalis “Juniper, groundcover” 1’ varies Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 High*Juniperus sabina “Juniper, groundcover” varies varies Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 High*Mahonia repens Creeping Mahonia 1’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 8 LowPaxistima myrsinites Oregon Boxwood 2’ 3’ Evergreen Sun/shade High 0 LowPenstemon caespitosus Mat Penstemon 4” 1’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 2 LowRosmarinus officinalis ‘Prostrata’ Creeping Rosemary 2’ 6’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 30 LowSantolina chamaecyparissus Gray Lavender Cotton 2’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowSantolina virens Green Lavender Cotton 2’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 20 LowSaponaria ocymoides Soapwort 9” 18” Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 20 LowSedum spp. Stonecrop 2’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 8 LowSedum spurium Dragon’s Blood Sedum 6” 15” Evergreen Sun/shade Low 6 LowSedum spurium Stonecrop 4” 8” Evergreen Sun/shade Low 6 LowSempervivum tectorum Hen and Chicks 6” 6” Evergreen Full Sun Medium 2 LowTeucrium aronianum Greek Germander 9” 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 6 LowTeucrium chamaedrys Trailing Germander 1’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 8 LowThymus spp. Thyme 1’ 2’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 8 LowTrifolium spp. Clover 8” 8” Deciduous Sun/shade High* 0 LowVerbena peruviana Verbena 9” 18” Deciduous Full Sun Low 6 LowVeronica prostrata Harebell Veronica 8” 1’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 2 LowVinca major Giant Periwinkle 1’ 4’ Evergreen Shade/sun Medium+ 20 LowVinca minor Periwinkle 9” 2’ Evergreen Shade/sun Medium+ 20 LowZinnia grandiflora Desert Zinnia 8” 8” Deciduous Full Sun Low 2 Low

SHRUBS, DECIDUOUSAcacia constricta Whitethorn Acacia 10’ 10’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 50 LowAloysia wrightii Mexican Oregano or Beebrush 5’ 4’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 18 LowAmorpha cana Dwarf Leadplant 2’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 10 LowAmorpha canescens Leadplant 2’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 16 LowAmorpha fruticosa False Indigo 10’ 10’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 LowAnisacanthus quadrifidus var wrightii Flame Anisacanthus 3’ 4’ Deciduous Sun/shade Low+ 18 LowAnisacanthus thurberi Desert Honeysuckle 5’ 4’ Deciduous Sun/shade Low+ 18 LowArundo donax Carrizo Cane 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowBerberis thunbergii Japanese Barberry 4’ 4’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 18 ModerateBerberis thunbergii ‘Atropur. Nana’ Crimson Pigmy Barberry 2’ 2’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 8 ModerateBerberis thunbergii Atropurpurea Redleaf Barberry 4’ 4’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 18 ModerateBuddleia davidii nanhoensis Dwarf Butterfly Bush 5’ 5’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 20 LowBuddleia marrubifolia Wooly Butterfly Bush 6’ 6’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 18 LowCaesalpinia gilliesii Yellow Bird of Paradise 10’ 10’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 50 LowCaragana spp. Peashrub 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowCaryopteris x clandonensis Blue Mist Spirea 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 32 LowCeanothus spp. Wild Lilac or Deerbrush varies varies Deciduous Full Sun Medium 20 LowCercocarpus montanus True Mountain Mahogany 10’ 6’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 25 LowChaenomeles japonica Flowering Quince 6’ 6’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 25 LowChamaebatiaria millefolium Fernbush 5’ 5’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 20 LowChrysactinia mexicana Damianita 2’ 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 8 LowChrysothamnus nauseosus Chamisa, Rabbitbrush 5’ 5’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 32 LowCornus alba Tartarian Dogwood 10’ 10’ Deciduous Shade/sun High 0 LowCornus stolonifera Redtwig Dogwood 7’ 7’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 Low

(Italics indicate regulated for water conservation.Call 924-3849 for information)

(Bold face indicates regulated for pollen.Call 768-2600 for information)

PLANT LIST

43

Scientific Name

CommonName

Approx. Height

Approx. Spread

Decidiuous/Evergreen

LightExposure

WaterUse

RebateAllowance

AllergenicPotential

Cotoneaster apiculatus Cranberry Cotoneaster 4’ 8’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 18 LowCotoneaster divaricatus Spreading Cotoneaster 4’ 8’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 18 LowCotoneaster horizontalis Rock Cotoneaster 2’ 9’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 18 LowDalea formosa Feather Dalea 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 15 LowDyssodia acerosa Wild Marigold 1’ 1’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 5 LowEuonymus alata Compacta Dwarf Burning Bush 6’ 6’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowFendlera rupicola Cliff Fendlerbush 6’ 6’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 20 LowForsythia intermedia Forsythia 10’ 10’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 20 LowGenista tinctoria Summer Broom 2’ 4’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 20 LowHibiscus syriacus Rose of Sharon 10’ 10’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 40 LowHippophae rhamnoides Sea Buckthorn 30’ 30’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowHolodiscus dumosus Rock Spirea 6’ 6’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 20 LowJasminum nudiflorum Winter Jasmine 4’ 12’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 25 LowKolkwitzia amabilis Beauty Bush 10’ 10’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 32 LowLagerstroemia indica x fauriei Crape Myrtle, “Pecos, Zuni” 15’ 15’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 35 LowLeucophyllum frutes. Green Cloud Ceniza 3’ 4’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 18 LowLigustrum vulgare Common Privet 8’ 6’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium+ 32 LowLonicera fragrantissima Winter Honeysuckle 5’ 5’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 35 LowLonicera tartarica Tartarian Honeysuckle 6’ 6’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowParryella filifolia Dunebroom 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 20 LowPhiladelphus cultivars Mock Orange 10’ 10’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 25 LowPhiladelphus microphyllus Littleleaf Mock Orange 6’ 6’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 20 LowPotentilla fruticosa Shrubby Cinquefoil 3’ 3’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium+ 18 LowPrunus besseyi Western Sand Cherry 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 25 LowPrunus tomentosa Nanking Cherry 6’ 6’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 20 LowPrunus X cistena Purpleleaf Plum Bush 6’ 6’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 20 LowPsorothamnus scoparius Broom Dalea 3’ 5’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 20 LowPunica spp. Pomegranate 8’ 8’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 36 LowRhamnus frangula Columnaris Tallhedge Buckthorn 10’ 10’ Deciduous Shade/sun High 0 LowRhus glabra Smooth Sumac 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 LowRhus glabra var. cismontana Cutleaf Sumac 3’ 3’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 24 LowRhus microphylla Littleleaf Sumac 8’ 9’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowRhus trilobata Three-leaf Sumac 6’ 6’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowRhus trilobata Prostrata Prostrate Sumac 2’ 6’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowRibes aureum Golden Currant 6’ 6’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowRosa foetida Austrian Copper Rose 10’ 10’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 20 LowRosa rugosa Species Rugosa Roses 8’ 8 Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 20 LowRosa spp. Tea, Floribunda, Grandiflora 8’ 8’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 20 LowRosa woodsii Woods’ Rose 6’ 8’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 70 LowSalvia greggii Autumn or Cherry Sage 2’ 3’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 18 LowSarcobatus vermiculatus Greasewood 8’ 8’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 32 LowShepherdia argentea Silver Buffaloberry 15’ 10’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium+ 50 LowSpiraea spp. Spirea varies varies Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowSymphoricarpos albus Snowberry 6’ 6’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 40 LowSymphoricarpos orbiculatus Coralberry 6’ 6’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 40 LowSyringa spp. Lilac 8’ 8’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 30 LowSyringa laciniata Cutleaf Persian Lilac 8’ 6’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 30 LowSyringa patula Korean Lilac 6’ 6’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 30 LowSyringa persica Persian lilac 8’ 8’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 30 LowSyringa rothomagensis Chinese Lilac 8’ 8’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 60 LowSyringa vulgaris Common Lilac 15’ 15’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 60 LowViburnum spp. Viburnum varies varies Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowWeigela florida Weigela 10’ 10’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 Low

SHRUBS, EVERGREENAbelia grandiflora Glossy Abelia 7’ 7’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium+ 24 LowArctostaphylos pungens Pointleaf Manzanita 3’ 6’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 25 LowArtemisia cana Silver Sage 3’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 18 LowArtemisia filifolia Sand Sage 4’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 18 LowArtemisia X Powis Castle Powis Castle Sage 2’ 5’ Semi-Ever. Sun/shade Low+ 18 LowArtemisia tridentata Big Sage 4’ 4’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 18 LowAtriplex canescens Fourwing Saltbush 6’ 8’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 50 LowAtriplex confertifolia Shadscale 2’ 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 12 LowBaccharis salicina Broom Baccharis 8’ 8’ Semi-Ever. Full Sun Medium 40 LowBaccharis sarothroides Desert Broom 10’ 10’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 LowBerberis gladwynensis William Penn Barberry 6’ 6’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium+ 18 ModerateBerberis haematocarpa Algerita 8’ 10’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 ModerateBerberis julianae Wintergreen Barberry 5’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 18 LowBerberis mentorensis Mentor Barberry 7’ 7’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 32 ModerateBuxus spp. Boxwood 4’ 4’ Evergreen Shade Medium 12 Low

(Italics indicate regulated for water conservation.Call 924-3849 for information)

(Bold face indicates regulated for pollen.Call 768-2600 for information)

PLANT LIST

44

Scientific Name

CommonName

Approx. Height

Approx. Spread

Decidiuous/Evergreen

LightExposure

WaterUse

RebateAllowance

AllergenicPotential

Cercocarpus ledifolius Curl-leaf Mtn. Mahogany 15’ 15’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 LowCercocarpus breviflorus Hairy Mountain Mahogany 15’ 15’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowCistus spp. Rockrose 5’ 6’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 25 LowCotoneaster buxifolius Grayleaf Cotoneaster 2’ 9’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 18 LowCotoneaster congestus Pyrenees Cotoneaster 3’ 3’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 18 LowCotoneaster lacteus Parney or Clusterberry Cotoneaster 8’ 12’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowCotoneaster salicifolius Willowleaf Cotoneaster 6’ 10’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowCowania mexicana Cliffrose 8’ 6’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 50 LowCytisus scoparius Scotch Broom 4’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 18 LowElaeagnus pungens Silverberry 10’ 10’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowEphedra spp. Mormon Tea 3’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 18 LowEricameria laricifolia Turpentine Bush 3’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 18 LowEuonymus japonica Japanese Euonymus 8’ 8’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 40 LowEuonymus kiautschovia Manhattan Euonymus 6’ 6’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 30 LowEurotia lanata Winterfat 3’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 12 LowFallugia paradoxa Apache Plume 6’ 7’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowFremontedendron californicum Flannel Bush 10’ 10’ Evergreen Sun Low 50 UnknownGarrya wrightii Wright’s Silk Tassel 5’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 30 LowGenista hispanica Spanish Broom 4’ 4’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 18 LowHelichrysum angustifolium Curry Plant 2’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 8 LowIlex cornuta ‘Burfordii’ Burford Holly 8’ 8’ Evergreen Shade/sun Medium+ 40 LowIlex altaclarensis ‘Wilsonii’ Wilson Holly 10’ 10’ Evergreen Shade/sun Medium+ 50 LowJuniperus chinensis Juniper, shrub varieties varies varies Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 HighJuniperus sabina Juniper, shrub varieties varies varies Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 HighJuniperus squamata Juniper, shrub varieties varies varies Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 HighJuniperus virginiana Juniper, shrub varieties varies varies Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 HighLarrea tridentata Creosote Bush 6’ 8’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowLavandula angustifolia English Lavender 3’ 3’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 12 LowLavendula stoechas Spanish Lavender 3’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 12 LowLeucophyllum frutescens Texas Ranger or Ceniza 6’ 6’ Semi-Ever. Full Sun Low+ 20 LowL. frutescens ‘Compactum’ Compact Ceniza 3’ 4’ Semi-Ever. Full Sun Low+ 18 LowLeucophyllum langmaniae Rio Bravo Rainsage 4’ 4’ Semi-Ever. Full Sun Low+ 18 LowLeucophyllum zygophyllum Cimarron Rainsage 4’ 4’ Semi-Ever. Full Sun Low+ 18 LowLigustrum japonicum Waxleaf Privet 8’ 8’ Evergreen Sun/shade High 25 LowMahonia aquifolium Oregon Grape Holly 6’ 6’ Evergreen Shade/sun Medium 30 LowMahonia aquifolium ‘Compacta’ Compact Oregon Grape 2’ 3’ Evergreen Shade/sun Medium 20 LowNandina domestica cultivars Heavenly Bamboo 8’ 5’ Evergreen Shade/sun Medium+ 10 LowParthenium incanum Mariola 2’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 16 LowPhotinia fraseri Red Tip Photinia 8’ 8’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowPhotinia serrulata Chinese Photinia 10’ 10’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowPicea conica Alberta Spruce 7’ 3’ Evergreen Shade/sun Medium 12 LowPrunus caroliniana Carolina Cherry Laurel 10’ 10’ Evergreen Sun/shade High 0 LowPurshia tridentata Antelope Bitterbush 10’ 8’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 40 LowPyracantha coccinea Firethorn 10’ 10’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 50 LowRaphiolepis indica India Hawthorn 3’ 4’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 30 LowRhamnus californica var. ursina Coffeeberry 6’ 8’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 32 LowRhododendron spp. Rhododendron, Azalea 3’ 3’ Evergreen Shade/sun High 0 LowRhus ovata Sugarbush 10’ 10’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 LowRhus virens / choriophylla Evergreen Sumac 8’ 8’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 40 LowRosmarinus officinalis Upright Rosemary 6’ 6’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 30 LowSabal minor Dwarf Sabal Palm 3’ 3’ Evergreen Shade Medium+ 25 LowSalvia dorrii Desert Sage 2’ 3’ Evergreen Full Sun Low 25 LowSalvia lavandulifolia Lavender Sage 2’ 2’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 12 LowSpartium junceum Spanish Broom 10’ 10’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowVauquelinia spp. Rosewood 15’ 8’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 50 LowVirburnum X burkwoodii Burkwood Viburnum 5’ 5’ Evergreen Shade/Sun High 0 Low

TREES, DECIDUOUSAcer ginnala Amur Maple 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowAcer grandidentatum Bigtooth Maple 25’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowAcer palmatum Japanese Maple 20’ 20’ Deciduous Shade/sun Medium+ 50 ModerateAcer platanoides Norway Maple 50’ 50’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 ModerateAcer saccharinum Silver Maple 40’ 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowAcer truncatum Shantung Maple 25’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowAlbizia julibrissin Rosea Mimosa 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowAmelanchier utahensis Serviceberry 12’ 12’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowCarya illinoinensis Pecan 40 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 ModerateCatalpa speciosa Catalpa 40’ 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowCeltis occidentalis Common Hackberry 40’ 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowCeltis reticulata Netleaf / Canyon Hackberry 25’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 Low

(Italics indicate regulated for water conservation.Call 924-3849 for information)

(Bold face indicates regulated for pollen.Call 768-2600 for information)

PLANT LIST

45

Scientific Name

CommonName

Approx. Height

Approx. Spread

Decidiuous/Evergreen

LightExposure

WaterUse

RebateAllowance

AllergenicPotential

Cercis canadensis Eastern Redbud 30’ 30’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 0 LowCercis occidentalis Western Redbud 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowCercis reniformis Oklahoma Redbud 25’ 25’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 LowChilopsis linearis Desert Willow 20’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowChilopsis X Catalpa Chitalpa 30’ 30’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowCornus mas Cornelian Cherry 25’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowCotinus coggygria Smoketree 30’ 30’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowCrataegus crus-galli Inermis Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn 20’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowCrataegus laevigata English Hawthorn 20’ 20’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 LowCrataegus phaenopyrum Washington Hawthorn 25’ 25’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium+ 0 LowCratageus lavellei Carrieri Hawthorne 25’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowCratageus monogyna Single-seed Hawthorne 30’ 8’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowCrateagus ambigua Hawthorne, Russian 20’ 20’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 LowEleagnus angustifolia Russian Olive 40’ 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowForestiera neomexicana New Mexico Olive 15’ 15’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 LowFraxinus cuspidata Fragrant Ash 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 HighFraxinus oxycarpa Raywood Ash 35’ 30’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 HighFraxinus pennsylvanica Green Ash 60’ 60’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 HighFraxinus texana Texas Ash 25’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 HighFraxinus velutina Arizona and Modesto Ash 40’ 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 HighFruit trees Fruit trees 25’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowGleditsia triacanthos Honey Locust 80’ 80’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowGymnocladus dioica Kentucky Coffee Tree 50’ 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowJuglans spp. Walnut varies varies Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 ModerateJuglans major Arizona Walnut 50’ 50’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 ModerateJuglans microcarpa Little Walnut 30’ 30’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 ModerateJuglans regia English Walnut 60’ 60’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 ModerateJuglans regia ‘Carpathian’ Carpathian Walnut 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 ModerateKoelreuteria paniculata Golden Rain Tree 25’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowLeucaena retusa Goldenball Leadtree 15’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowLiriodendron tulipfera Tulip Tree 45’ 45’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowMaclura pomifera Osage Orange 45’ 45’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowMagnolia soulangiana Saucer Magnolia 20’ 20’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 LowMalus cultivars Crabapple varies varies Deciduous Full Sun High 50 LowMelia azedarach Chinaberry 30’ 30’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowMetasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn Redwood 60’ 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowPaulownia tomentosa Empress tree 40’ 40’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 LowPistachia chinensis Chinese Pistache 60’ 60’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowPlatanus acerfolia London Plane Tree 70’ 50’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 HighPlatanus wrightii Arizona Sycamore 60’ 70’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 HighPopulus acuminata Mountain/Lanceleaf Cottonwood 50’ 50’ Deciduous Full Sun High 0 HighPopulus deltoides var. wislizenii Valley Cottonwood 50’ 60’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 HighPopulus fremontii Western Cottonwood 70’ 60’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 HighProsopis glandulosa Honey Mesquite 25’ 30’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowProsopis pubescens Screwbean Mesquite 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowProsopis torreyana Western Honey Mesquite 18’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Low 50 LowProsopis velutina Velvet Mesquite 20’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowPrunus americana American Plum 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowPrunus armeniaca Apricot 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowPrunus cerastifera Purpleleaf Plum 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowPrunus virginiana Chokecherry 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowPtelea trifoliata Hoptree 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowPyrus calleryana Onamental Pear 25’ 15’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowQuercus gambelii Gambel Oak 25’ 25’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 ModerateQuercus lobata Valley Oak 40’ 25’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium+ 50 ModerateQuercus gravesii Chisos Red Oak 25’ 25’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 ModerateQuercus macrocarpa Bur Oak 60’ 70’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 ModerateQuercus muhlenbergii Chinquapin Oak 40’ 40’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 ModerateQuercus robur English Oak 50’ 50’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 ModerateQuercus shumardii Shumard Oak 60’ 60’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 ModerateRhamnus cathartica Buckthorn 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowRhus lanceolata Prairie Flameleaf Sumac 25’ 25’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 LowRobinia neomexicana New Mexico Locust 25’ 15’ Deciduous Full Sun Medioum 50 LowRobinia pseudoacacia Black Locust 60’ 50’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowRobinia x ambigua Idaho Locust 40’ 30’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowSambucus mexicana Mexican Elder 20’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowSapindus drummondii Western Soapberry 30’ 30’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowSophora japonica (Staphnolobium) Japanese Pagoda Tree 35’ 35’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 LowSorbus aucuparia European Mountain Ash 20’ 20’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowSyringa reticulata Japanese Tree Lilac 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowTaxodium distichum Bald Cypress 60’ 30’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 UnknownTaxodium mucronatum Montezuma Cypress 60’ 60’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium+ 50 Unknown(Italics indicate regulated for water conservation.Call 924-3849 for information)

(Bold face indicates regulated for pollen.Call 768-2600 for information)

PLANT LIST

46

Scientific Name

CommonName

Approx. Height

Approx. Spread

Decidiuous/Evergreen

LightExposure

WaterUse

RebateAllowance

AllergenicPotential

Tilia cordata Littleleaf Linden 40’ 30’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowUlmus crassifolia Cedar Elm 40’ 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 0 ProhibitedUlmus parvifolia Lacebark Elm 40’ 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 0 ProhibitedVitex agnus-castus Chaste Tree 20’ 20’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowZizyphus jujuba Jujube or Chinese Date 25’ 25’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 Low

TREES, EVERGREENAbies concolor White Fir 50’ 20’ Evergreen Full Sun High 0 LowCedrus atlantica Atlas Cedar 75’ 50’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium+ 50 ModerateCedrus deodara Deodar Cedar 80’ 60’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium+ 50 ModerateCedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon 80’ 50’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium+ 50 ModerateCercocarpus ledifolius Curl leaf Mtn. Mahogany 12’ 6’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 LowCupressocyparis leylandii Leyland Cypress 60’ 35’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 ModerateCupressus arizonica Arizona Cypress 70’ 50’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 0 ProhibitedIlex vomitoria Yaupon Holly 15’ 15’ Evergreen Sun/Shade Medium 50 LowJuniperus chinensis Juniper, tree varieties varies varies Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 HighJuniperus deppeana Alligator Juniper 60’ 40’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 HighJuniperus monosperma Oneseed Juniper 15’ 15’ Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 HighJuniperus scopulorum Juniper, Rocky Mtn. varies varies Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 HighJuniperus virginiana Juniper, tree varieties varies varies Evergreen Full Sun Low+ 50 HighMagnolia grandiflora Southern Magnolia 30’ 30’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium+ 50 LowPicea abies Norway spruce 50’ 20’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowPicea engelmani Engleman spruce 50’ 20’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium+ 50 LowPicea pungens Blue Spruce 50’ 20’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium+ 50 ModeratePinus aristata Bristlecone Pine 30’ 20’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowPinus edulis Pinon Pine 30’ 20’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowPinus eldarica Afghan pine 40’ 18’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowPinus flexilis Limber Pine 30’ 20’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowPinus nigra Austrian Pine 35’ 25’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowPinus pinea Italian Stone Pine 60’ 50’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowPinus ponderosa Ponderosa Pine 40’ 0’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowPinus strobiformis Southwestern White or Border Pine 30’ 20’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowPinus sylvestris Scotch Pine 45’ 25’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowPoncirus trifoliata Trifoliate Orange 15’ 5’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowPseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir 50’ 20’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 ModerateQuercus emoryi Emory Oak 35’ 45’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 50 ModerateQuercus fusiformis Escarpment Live Oak 25’ 30’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 50 ModerateQuercus grisea Gray Oak 30’ 30’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 50 ModerateQuercus oblongifolia/engelmannii Mexican Blue/Mesa Oak 25’ 30’ Semi-Ever Sun/shade Medium 50 ModerateQuercus suber Cork Oak 30’ 30’ Evergreen Sun/shade Low+ 50 ModerateQuercus turbinella Desert or Shrub Live Oak 18’ 20’ Semi-Ever. Sun/shade Low+ 50 ModerateQuercus virginiana Southern Live Oak 35’ 40’ Semi-Ever. Sun/shade Medium 50 ModerateSequoia sempervirens Coast Redwood 50’ 30’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowSequoiadendron giganteum Giant Sequoia 75’ 30’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 UnknownTaxus species Yew varies varies Evergreen Shade/sun High 0 LowThuja or Platycladus species Arborvitae varies varies Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowTrachycarpus fortunei / wagnerianus Windmill Palm 15’ 4’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 50 Low

VINESCampsis radicans Trumpet Vine climbing 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowClematis hybrids Clematis climbing 10’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowClematis ligusticifolia Western Virginsbower climbing 15’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 20 LowClematis tangutica Golden Lanterns climbing 15’ Deciduous Sun/shade High 0 LowEuonymus fortunei colorata Purpleleaf Wintercreeper climbing 6’ Evergreen Shade/sun Medium+ 30 LowGelsemium sempervirens Carolina Jessamine climbing 10’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 50 LowHedera helix English Ivy climbing 5’ Evergreen Shade/sun Medium 50 LowLonicera japonica ‘Purpurea’ Purple leaf Honeysuckle climbing 12’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowLonicera japonica Halliana Hall’s Honeysuckle climbing 12’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 50 LowLonicera sempervirens Coral Honeysuckle climbing 8’ Evergreen Sun/shade Medium 50 LowParthenocissus inserta Woodbine climbing 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowParthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia Creeper climbing 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowParthenocissus tricuspidata Boston Ivy climbing 40’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 LowPeriploca graeca Silkvine climbing 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowPolygonum aubertii Silver Lacevine climbing 40’ Deciduous Full Sun Low+ 50 LowRosa banksiae Rose Lady Banks climbing 20’ Evergreen Full Sun Medium 50 LowVitis labrusca American grape climbing 30’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowVitis vinifera European grape climbing 30’ Deciduous Full Sun Medium 50 LowWisteria spp. Wisteria climbing 20’ Deciduous Sun/shade Medium 50 Low

(Italics indicate regulated for water conservation.Call 924-3849 for information)

(Bold face indicates regulated for pollen.Call 768-2600 for information)

THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE THANKS...

SANTA FE GREENHOUSES IS AN EXCELLENT SOURCE FOR MANY OF THE PLANTS IN THIS GUIDE.

We are very pleased to be the major contributor ofpictures and text to The Complete How To GuideTo Xeriscaping. Santa Fe Greenhouses, Inc. is aleading advocate of Xeriscaping. With our

extensive Xeriscape Demonstration Gardens and numerousXeriscaping classes we strive to educate the gardening publicabout the benefits and advantages of Xeriscaping. Throughour retail nursery in Santa Fe and our “High CountryGardens” mail order catalog we offer our customers thenewest and best native and adaptive plants for New Mexicogardens and landscapes.

We encourage you to shop with us in Santa Fe. Call ourretail store at (800) 492-7885 to find out about our summergarden tour schedule, our spring and fall gardening classes,and special events like our annual Hummingbird and

Butterfly Festival. If you prefer to shop from the comfort ofyour home, request our full color “High Country Gardens”catalog toll free at (800) 925-9387.

And remember, xeriscaping doesn’t limit us; it broadensour horizons. Xeriscaping offers us the gardening knowledgeand plant selection to create yards and gardens of extraordi-nary beauty and diversity that are more in tune to the naturalworld around us.

Happy gardening,David Salman, PresidentSanta Fe Greenhouses, Inc.2904 Rufina StreetSanta Fe, NM 87505-2929(505) 473-2700 • (800) 492-7885

Santa Fe Greenhouses

St. Francis DriveU.S. 84 & 285N

Rufina

Stre

et

Siler Road

Cerrill

os R

oad

ToDenver

ToTaos

ToAlbuquerque

RufinaCircle Calle de Cielo

ToAlbuquerque

Interstate 25

St. Michael's Drive

Santa Fe Greenhouses’ xeriscape demonstration garden in July.

Home of Mail Order Catalog

THE XERIC CITYTHE XERIC CITY

During the summer months, nearly two-thirds of the waterconsumed in some of our cities is applied to landscaping. . . IN THE DESERT! About one-half of that water evapo-rates or is wasted. In Albuquerque, for example, that

amounts to approximately 13 billion gallons per year—equivalent to the entire amount the city consumed in 1968!

Bluegrass lawns consume more than four times the waterMother Nature provides via rainfall. In arid climates such asours, where prolonged droughts are common, excessive wateruse for nonessential purposes can threaten water supplies forfuture generations.

That’s why we’re actively transforming our New Mexicocityscapes, so that they are in tune with our arid environment.In Albuquerque, you too can make the transformation to avibrant, colorful, low water-use and low-maintenance Xeriscape and receive up to a $500 rebate on your water bill. Non-residential accounts are eligible for up to $700. Call 768-3655 for more information on how you may qualify.

Make no mistake about it—Xeriscaping is not about rocksand cacti. It’s about colorful, diverse plants that thrive in aridclimates and need very little supplemental water.

Start your journey toward the Xeric City today. It’s justdown the adobe brick road. This manual can show you the way.

Water Conservation OfficeP.O. Box 1293Albuquerque, NM 87103