El Paso General Gardens 1

Common name:Blue or Mexican Elderberry
Botanical name:Sambucus mexicana

The Elderberry is a deciduous evergreen shrub or tree that grows to 20' x 15'. It is similar to the blue elderberry . The leaves are a pale green and have 3-5 leaflets. This shrub or tree is a very fast growing drought tolerant plant. Beneficial insects are attracted to this plant. Native to California.

Common name:Texas Sotol
Botanical name:Dasylirion texanum

Durable, low-maintenance accent plant reaching 6' tall by 6' wide at maturity. Shiny, green leaves armed with stout, curved teeth, so care should be used in locating this plant in a landscape. Cold tolerant. Not as deserty looking as wheeleri. Give it room as teeth are sharp, Native in Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico. With age, it will flower with a slender, densely packed column of flowers 15' tall.

Common name:Chilean Mesquite
Botanical name:Prosopis chilensis

Semievergreen tree can rapidly grow to 30' x 30'. Thorns are variable. Can be multitrunked. Dark coarse textured bark. Accepts reflected sun. Upright grower with wide crown. Avoid overwatering to control windstorm uprooting. Yellow-green flowers in spring.

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:

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