El Paso Desert Botantical Gardens 1

Common name:Sprawling Prickly Pear
Botanical name:Opuntia phaeacantha

This attractive cactus grows slowly to 3' x 3'. It has sage-green pads and yellow-orange flowers that bloom in summer. It is extremely drought tolerant. Accepts full sun to partial shade. Needs good drainage.

Common name:Deer Grass
Botanical name:Muhlenbergia rigens

Mounding grass that grows quickly to 4' x 4'. Leaves are medium green and turns tan in fall. Tall flower spikes appear in fall they start out green and dry to tan. Accepts full sun or partial shade. Very frost tolerant. This is a versatile grass with lush foliage and interesting flowers. Great for softening a landscape. Native to the southwest U.S. and Mexico.

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

Water Saving Tip:

As the weather gets hotter avoid the temptation to increase run times.

Instead, schedule more start times with one to two hours in between to allow the water from the previous session to soak in before watering again.

Integrated Pest Management:

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