April Gardening In The Low Desert

Plant sweet corn this month and remember it is a heavy feeder. Plant in blocks of four rows for good pollination and keep varieties separated to prevent cross-pollination.

Now, our flowers - this is a great time to plant summer bulbs such as gladiolas, lilies, acidanthera, caladium, canna, crinum, dahlia, daylily, and iris. Agapanthus, society garlic and zephyranthes (rain lily) are available in containers. Buy seed or plants of perennials such as chrysanthemum, columbine, coreopsis, gailardia, gerbera, hollyhock, Michaelmas and Shasta daisies, and annuals such as ageratum, coreopsis, celosia, cosmos, four o'clock, globe amaranth, gloriosa daisy (Rudbekia), kochia, lisianthus, marigold, Mexican sunflower, portulaca, strawflower, vinca rosea , zinnia, salvia, geranium,and gazania. Petunias and dusty miller are great fillers for beds and pots.

I really like the salvias and sages with our old stand-buy, hibiscus. A clear yellow hibiscus with bright blue sage is an eye-catcher. I also like red hibiscus with white petunias and blue lobelia or other red, white and blue combinations for a patriotic effect. Most shrubs, annuals and perennials are great in big pots and deep planters with proper watering and fertilization. Try the little cherry type tomatoes in a pot combined with small contrasting flowers.

Now is the time to plant tender vines like bougainvillea, cape honeysuckle and pink trumpet vine. Put them in a warm spot that has a bit of winter protection. Remember, bougainvillea runs rampant in summer and it is a pain to trim so if you can, put it where it will have plenty of room. There are many colors so you may have to look several places if you want other than the standard bright red. I like the white ones - they have a sort of blue tinge and look good with other bright flowers. Also, there are small sprawling types for ground cover and pots such as Raspberry Ice.

There are many beautiful native desert plants surviving on their own in the wild.

Enjoy this month and give your plants what they need to see them through the summer.

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