Kidnocker: Plant native for low maintenance

There is still time for autumn planting. In order to allow the gardener time to enjoy his yard, keeping subsequent maintenance to a minimum is important. Native and desert-adapted plants may be the answer. The list is surprisingly long, so only a few such plants can be covered here.

Soft blue flowers seem to cool even the hottest afternoons. With fluffy lavender-blue flowers very similar in form are, an annual commonly called floss flower (Ageratum) and the perennial mist flower (Eupatorium). Both bloom spring through fall on fine-textured, fern-like foliage. They are favorites of butterflies, especially monarch look-alike, the beautiful queen butterfly.

Another native with cool lavender-blue flowers is Mexican oregano (Poliomintha maderensis). This rounded shrub starts producing flowers slowly in spring, continues through summer, and then by early fall is awash in color. It can grow up to 3 feet high by 3 feet wide, covered in bright green, fragrant leaves. A perfect heavy bloomer, this low water user is a magnet for hummingbirds.

Staying with the subject of fragrance, it is hard to beat our old perennial friend, chocolate flower (Berlandiera lyrata). Every serious chocolate lover must have this plant in the garden! The small, pale yellow daisy-like flowers are held above the foliage that grows only 12 to 24 inches high. Chocolate flowers will self-seed and spread their “delicious” smell through the garden. They also look delightful mixed with other small perennials like verbena and blanket flower.

A more intense scent, though not nearly as mouth-watering, is produced by damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana). This is a dense shrub with small, stiff, dark green leaves that are evergreen and source of the sharp scent. When the flowers are in full summer bloom, their bright gold literally hides the foliage. This is a very tough plant requiring no fertilizer, little water, no pruning, and is not susceptible to pests or disease. One caution is to avoid overhead watering which can cause extreme stress and eventual dead central branches.

Do you like the scent of cloves? A rugged shrub, low water user,

and cold hardy, the woolly butterfly bush (Buddleia marrubiifolia) is a summertime favorite of folks and butterflies alike. Unique in the desert, the small gray leaves covered with fine white hairs are soft as lambs’ ears. Tiny, bright orange flowers are actually tight whorls that look like little lollipops. The sweet scented flowers signal a rich source of nectar for many butterflies. At maturity this shrub can grow 4 to 5 feet high and wide.

Hummingbird trumpet bush (Zauschneria latifolia) is another prized

attraction for our “flying jewels.” A herbaceous perennial, it reaches

1 to 2 feet tall and spreads by underground rhizomes to 3 feet wide. Large, bright scarlet, tubular flowers attract both hummingbirds and butterflies during late summer and autumn. This low-maintenance plant can easily make a boring corner of the garden explode with color.

Another easy-care plant that should be in every garden is autumn sage (Salvia greggii). The name is curious because it actually blooms from spring through late summer. Flowers are tubular and in various colors and sizes. Rose, magenta and true red are the most common colors. Foliage is thin, and looks better with severe early spring pruning to occasionally invigorate it. Growing from 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, this is another hummingbird favorite.

Among recommended low-maintenance plants are also the many varieties of agave such as Shaggy Head (A. multifilifera) and Durango Delight (A. schidigera) both edged with white threads. These two agave can be planted in the ground, and will also stay small enough to add interesting form to garden containers.

Blue yucca (Yucca rigida) is only one of the easy-care yuccas that can become the a focal point in the landscape. Striking powder blue leaves of this Chihuahuan desert native catch the eye. Additional color can be achieved by adding reliable cactus such as golden barrels, red-spined barrels, Texas bi-colors, and of course the popular night-blooming trichocereus.

It is apparent that low-maintenance does not mean boring, colorless, or without scent. In this desert we are blessed to have so many choices of beautiful native plants that require minimal care.

All of the plants mentioned can be seen at The Arid Garden (off Camino Encanto in Desert Hills), although some are not now in their bloom season. They are also available at The Green Valley Gardeners’ Plant Sale. Stop by and investigate an easier, more pleasant way to garden.

Mary Kidnocker is a Master Gardener who writes frequently about the subject from a local perspective. Her columns are featured each Sunday.

The Green Valley Gardeners Autumn Plant Sale will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 22-24, north of McDonald’s in Continental Shopping Plaza, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.

For sale will be cactus, succulents, accent and native plants as well as the beautiful Arid Garden 2010 Calendar and the book “Cool Plants for Hot Gardens” by Tucson’s Greg Starr.

Proceeds support gardening and beautification projects in the local area.