July Gardening In The Low Desert 1999

Dryland Perennials: Penstemon. Over 40 species. Fast drainage is more important than soil fertility. Medium tall. Black Eyed Susan. Tall like Shasta Daisy, often grown together where they enhance one another. Gaillardia. Low-growing plants with daisy-like flowers, often reseed. Fernleaf Yarrow. Three feet tall, covered with golden flower heads ideal for drying. Tall. Gazania. Perennials and annuals, clumping and trailing varieties. Rosemary. Culinary herb is part shrub and perennial. It has blue flowers, is very aromatic, and can be used for seasoning and for making wreaths and other crafts and will hold their leaves indefinitely when dried. Mexican Evening Primrose. Low growing perennial which tends to spread. Blooms single pink flowers and takes little care. Lambs Ears. Low growing silvery colored perennials team will with any color blooms.

Groundcovers: Desert marigold Trailing indigo bush Iceplant Gazania Golden Fleece Trailing Lantana Prostrate myoporum Blackfoot Daisy Mexican primrose Ruellia 'kati' Texas betony Low growing verbenas Prairie zinnia

Accent plants: Agapanthus. Tall blooms available in white or blue. Aloes. Includes aloe vera, the medicine plant. Yucca. Tall desert plant in many varieties, needs space.

Other real water misers: African daisy Alyssum Bachelor button Wallflower Chinese houses California poppy Indian blanket Blue thimble flower. Scarlet flax Golden lupine Texas bluebonnet Blazing star California blue bells Verbena of various kinds Zinnia

These lists are just a few of the marvelous plants available for arid climates, consult a good book for more extensive lists.

Hint of the month: If you don't want all your landscape to be xeriscape, you can plan part of it that way and make mini oases close to your outdoor living areas for the things that take a little more water and care. Careful planning is the key to making your yard the showplace you want with the degree of care and maintenance you are willing to give it.

Herb of the month: Savory, summer and winter. Use fresh or dried for meats, fish, eggs, soups, vegetables. Summer savory is a summer annual, a favorite with beans and is known as the 'bean herb'. Winter savory is a perennial or subshrub with flavor not as delicate as summer savory.

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