Common name:Blue Nolina
Botanical name:Nolina nelsoni
Blue nolina can form a trunk from 3-12' tall, and plants will spread to 6' wide. Blue-green foliage provides a great contrast to other desert plants. Leaves are 1 1/2" wide and can reach 4' long. Can reach 20' or more developing multiple heads with age .
Common name:Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name:Agave americana
Succulent that grows quickly to10' x 13'. Wide, grey leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. Prefers full sun and well-drained situations. Prone to agave snout weevil which will eat the roots and heart of the plant. Like all agaves, after blooming, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. This is a large agave, be sure to have space.
Common name:Broom Coyotebush
Botanical name:Baccharis pilularis 'Twin Peaks2'
3-9' tall rapid grower Rounded evergreen with branches resembling broom straw. Tolerant of sun and heat. Female plants may produce invasive seedlings. Very drought tolerant and hardy to 10F.
Designer: El Paso Desert Botantical Gard | El Paso Desert Botantical Gardens 21 |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
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.
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.