Courtyard El Paso Garden 26

Common name:Italian Cypress
Botanical name:Cupressus sempervirens

This narrow tree will grow to about 25' tall and has small, green, scaled leaves.

Common name:Tiger Tongue
Botanical name:Opuntia ellisiana

This low spreading cactus grows at a moderate rate to 4' tall and 6' wide. Spineless small pads have tiny glochids so handle pads with gloves. Beautful yellow flowers appear in the spring so put this cactus in a place of prominence for all to see. Tiger Tongue accepts reflected sun. Irrigate every 3-4 weeks after this cactus is established. Red berries follow spring flowers.

Common name:Honey Locust, Sweet L., Honeyshuck
Botanical name:Gleditsia triacanthos

Medium sized deciduous tree growing up to 75' x 50'. Leaves pinnately compound and late leafers in spring. Light shade during summer months. Golden fall color. Leaf drop causes no litter. Species has huge three pronged thorns. Native to the midwest. Several named cultivars available. Full sun. Soak twice monthly during the heat of summer in low desert. Drought tolerant as well as soil adaptable.

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:

Different areas of your landscape have different water requirements.

Shrubs need much less water than lawns and drip systems should never be scheduled on the same program with lawns.

Establish separate watering schedules for those areas.

Integrated Pest Management:

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