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Tour: Desert Serenity Garden

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Tree and Companions
Canyon Penstemon
Desert Ironwood
Parry's Penstemon
Cliff Agave
Lechuguilla
Canyon Penstemon

Common name:Canyon Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon pseudospectabilis

This perennial grows at a moderate rate to 1-1/2' x 2'. Medium green arrow shaped leaves form a rosette at the base of the plant. Rose- purple flowers appear on tall spikes in the spring. Reseeds easily. Accepts full sun or partial shade. Plant in the fall for spring flowers. Attracts hummingbirds. Native to the southwest U.S.

Desert Ironwood

Common name:Desert Ironwood
Botanical name:Olneya tesota

Evergreen tree grows slowly to 25' x 25'. It has attractive gray bark and the stems are armed with thorns. In late spring there are masses of dusty lavender pea-like flowers. This handsome tree lends character to the landscape. Native to the Sonoran Desert.

Parry's Penstemon

Common name:Parry's Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon parryi

This perennial grows at a moderate rate to 1-1/2' x 1-1/2'. Blue-green leaves form a rosette at the base of the plant. Hot pink flowers appear on spike in the spring. Reseeds easily. Accepts full sun or partial shade. Plant in fall for spring flowers. Attracts hummingbirds. Tender perennial at higher elevations. Native to southern Arizona and Sonora.

Cliff Agave

Common name:Cliff Agave
Botanical name:Agave celsii

This is a medium-sized agave that will grow to about 2' x 2'. The leaves of this plant are very fleshy, and can range from bright green to blue-gray. This agave needs partial shade in the low desert, but can handle up to full sun in cooler climates. Native in eastern Mexico, across the states of Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, and Hidalgo.

Lechuguilla

Common name:Lechuguilla
Botanical name:Agave lechuguilla

A small green to light green species. Lightly toothed on upright sharp tipped leaves with downward slanting teeth. Will form large colonies. Also dies upon flowering but forms large clumps. Can be invasive and not very refined looking. Considered an indicator plant for the Chihuahuan desert. Has one of the largest ranges occuring on rocky limestone slopes 2-6500'. Flower spike in late spring of purplish or yellow flowers.

Designer: Carol Stuttard, Homeowner

Tree and Companions
Image: 11 of 15

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.

Water Saving Tip:

Remember to check your irrigation systems once a month, especially your valves, sprinkler heads, and drip emitters.

If your controller is not a smart controller, it should be reprogrammed as the weather changes.

Integrated Pest Management:

Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.