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Courtyard El Paso Garden 23
Ocotillo
Blue Sage Allen Chickering
Deer Grass
Red Yucca
Ocotillo

Common name:Ocotillo
Botanical name:Fouquieria splendens

Deciduous succulent grows at a moderate rate to 12' x 10'. Slender spined branches ascend from a common base. Medium green leaves appear when there is ample moisture. Drought deciduous. In spring, spiky clusters of red orange flowers appear. Too much water can kill this plant. Good drainage is important. Accepts full fun. Striking silhouette. Attracts hummingbirds. Native to Sonoran, Chihuahuan and Mojave Deserts.

Blue Sage Allen Chickering

Common name:Blue Sage Allen Chickering
Botanical name:Salvia X clevelandii 'Allen Chickering'

The 'Allen Chickering' is a California native sage, growing as an evergreen shrub to 5' x 5'. It bears rounded whorls of light lavender blue flowers that appear in skewered clusters in spring and often again in fall. The leaves are dark green. The plant does best when cut back after flowering to prevent seed formation. Does best with some afternoon shade.

Deer Grass

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.

Red Yucca

Common name:Red Yucca
Botanical name:Hesperaloe parviflora

Upright rosettes grow quickly to 3' x 5' wide. Spectacular accent for desert landscape. Leaves are dark green and strap-like. Coral red flower spikes emerge in spring & remain on plant till end of summer. Tolerates tough conditions including reflected heat and frost. Attracts humingbirds. Native to western Texas and northeastern Mexico.

Designer: Sallie Homan

Courtyard El Paso Garden 23

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:

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:

Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.