Common name:Coral Penstemon
Botanical name:Penstemon superbus
This perennial grows at a moderate rate to 2' x 3'. Leaves are blue-green and vivid coral flowers appear in late spring. Reseeds easily. Plant in fall for spring flowers. Accepts full sun or partial shade. Attracts hummingbirds. Native to the Chihuahuan Desert.
Common name:Brittlebush
Botanical name:Encelia farinosa
Silvery gray mounding shrub grows to 3' x 4'. Yellow daisylike flowers appear winter to spring. Short lived individual plants but will reseed easily. Good for naturalistic landscapes. Rapid growth following rain. Overgrown and fragile if overwatered. Seeds attract birds. Native to Sonoran & Mojave deserts.
Designer:
Photographer: GardenSoft
Practice grass-cycling by leaving short grass clippings on lawns after mowing, so that nutrients and organic matter are returned to the soil.
Apply a 2" layer of mulch around plants to reduce moisture loss.
Choose organic mulches, such as shredded bark, compost, or aged sawdust.
Inorganic mulches such as gravel are also acceptable.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.
