Common name:Creosote Bush
Botanical name:Larrea tridentata
Open, angular evergreen shrub grows to 6'x 6'. Dark green, foliage is fragrant after a rain. One of the most abundant plants in the southwest desert. Extremely drought tolerant. Good informal screen. Native to North American deserts.
Common name:Cow Tongue Prickly Pear
Botanical name:Opuntia engelmannii var. lindheimeri
The pads on this variety are elongated and resemble a tongue. More tolerant of moderate shade than many cacti, but provide good drainage. Old plants sprawl and become large. Beautiful yellow to orange flowers in the spring. Subject to cochineal scale infestations. Prevent by washing off frequently with strong jets of water.
Designer: n/a | LC Gardens General 30 |
Photographer: GardenSoft |
Physical weed control, including mulching, or hand removal protects the watershed from harmful chemicals.
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.
Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.