El Paso General Gardens 19

Common name:Joshua Tree
Botanical name:Yucca brevifolia

This massive tree-like plant grows slowly to 30', but can reach 60' in nature. Develops a distinctive trunk to almost 3' wide. Leaves are short stiff and gray-green leaves. Older leaves persist on trunk pointing down. Thick, fleshy greenish white flowers appear late winter into spring. Accepts full sun. Very drought tolerant. Needs good drainage. Native to Arizona, California and Nevada

Common name:Engelmann's Prikly Pear
Botanical name:Opuntia engelmannii

Evergreen shrublike cactus grows at a moderate rate to 4' x 8'. Pads are medium green and covered in white-gray spines. Showy yellow flowers appear spring to early summer and are followed by dark red fruits. Birds relish the fruits. Accepts reflected sun. Native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts.

Soils and Compost:

Physical weed control, including mulching, or hand removal protects the watershed from harmful chemicals.

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:

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