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:

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:

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:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.