Unbreakable Native Plants Tough as Nails for Your Garden
by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener
Not all garden plants need coddling. In fact, some of the most beautiful and resilient plants are the ones native to the harsh landscapes of the American West. Here in Prescott, we are blessed with a unique blend of mountain and desert climates, and many native plants thrive in our soils and sun with minimal care. These are the workhorses of the garden, the ones that laugh at drought and shrug off our fickle spring snows. They are also, for the most part, completely deer-proof.
If you are looking to create a low-maintenance landscape that looks stunning year-round, you need to be planting natives.
Unbreakable Natives for Your Prescott Garden
Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) There is a reason the Joshua Tree is an icon of the American Southwest. This tree yucca is a showstopper, with a striking silhouette that looks like a Dr. Seuss creation. It's tough as nails and once established, needs very little water. It's a statement plant, not a filler, so spend a little extra on a specimen and plant it in a place of prominence.
Artichoke Agave (Agave parryi) This agave forms a stunning, symmetrical rosette of thick, blue-gray leaves. It gets its name from its resemblance to a giant artichoke. It's a bold accent plant that adds structure to any garden. Best of all, it handles our cold mountain winters without a problem and is entirely deer and javelina-proof.
Little Miss Sunshine Yucca is a smaller, more refined version of the traditional Yucca. It forms a clump of spiky, golden-yellow leaves that brighten up a landscape. In the late spring, it sends up a tall stalk of creamy white flowers. It is perfect for rock gardens or as a border plant. It is also an excellent container plant for a patio or porch.
Cactus: Prickly Pear and Teddy Bear Cholla. You might think of cactus as a plant for the lower deserts, but many varieties thrive here in Prescott. Prickly Pear (Opuntia) offers beautiful flowers in spring and summer, followed by edible fruit. The pads themselves provide a unique texture. Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) is a beautiful, light-colored cactus that looks soft and fuzzy but is anything but. It's an excellent addition for its unique form and glowing color. Both are incredibly drought-tolerant and require no care once established.
Sunrise Manzanita (Arctostaphylos' Sunrise') is a local superstar. 'Sunrise' is a beautiful hybrid with deep red, smooth bark and delicate evergreen foliage. It forms a dense, mounding shrub that is perfect for a low hedge or as a specimen plant. It is extremely tough and looks fantastic year-round.
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis) is a true gem of the mountains, boasting a graceful, weeping form and displaying a vibrant show with its trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers from spring through fall. The flowers come in shades of pink, purple, and white and are a magnet for hummingbirds. It is a very versatile plant, and once established, it needs very little water.
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) isn't technically native, but it exhibits all the characteristics of a native plant. It's incredibly tough, loves the sun, and shrugs off drought. It features silvery, lacy foliage and produces spikes of purple-blue flowers throughout the summer. It's an essential plant for adding color and texture to a dry, sunny garden.
Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium' Autumn Joy') is a succulent that forms a low mound of fleshy leaves. In late summer and fall, it produces large, broccoli-like heads of flowers that start pink and darken to a beautiful, rusty red. It's a bee and butterfly magnet and provides fantastic late-season color.
Lechuguilla Agave (Agave lechuguilla) is a small, but mighty agave. It forms a compact rosette of stiff, spiky leaves. It is a plant that provides incredible texture and a sculptural element to a garden. It's perfect for rock gardens, xeriscaping, and containers.
How to Plant and Establish Your Natives
Planting is Key: When you get these plants home, don't just dig a hole and drop them in. Mountain soil can be heavy and rich in clay. I always recommend amending the native soil with Watters Premium Planting Mix and Root & Grow for transplant shock. This mixture enhances drainage and supplies the plant with the necessary nutrients to establish a robust root system quickly.
Watering: This is the most critical step for success. The biggest mistake people make with native and drought-tolerant plants is overwatering them. For the first few months, water deeply but infrequently. This encourages the roots to grow down deep into the soil.
· Week 1 - 4: Deep soak your native weekly so the surrounding soil is also moist.
· November to April: Water every 2 weeks to keep these natives healthy.
· Next summer - water every 2-3 weeks, especially when new growth appears in the spring.
· Thereafter - Water only after a long dry period, maybe once a month.
Once established, many of these plants will only need supplemental water during the hottest, driest parts of summer. They are built to withstand drought and look their best when left to their own devices.
Fall is for Planting!
Watters Garden Center has a fresh stock of all these native and desert-tough plants ready for fall planting. The cooler weather and occasional rain allow the plants to focus on root growth without the stress of summer heat. This gives them a head start on a spectacular show next year. Stop in and see the full selection—you'll be amazed at how many beautiful, resilient plants can thrive in our mountain gardens.
Every Saturday @ Watters Garden Center
Join us every Saturday morning at 9:30 AM for our free garden classes, right here at Watters Garden Center on Iron Springs Road in Prescott. August is packed with valuable insights to help your garden thrive!
September 6 @ 9:30 - Fast Vines for Quick Garden Coverage
September 13 @ 9:30 - Unbreakable Plants for Prescott Gardens
September 12 @ 9:30 - Fast Plants for Secret Garden Privacy
Come learn something new and connect with fellow gardeners!
Until next week, I'll be helping gardeners with low-maintenance plants here at Watters Garden Center.
