Master Plant Descriptions

PLANT DATABASE This information is for everyone to use to promote dissemination of what we believe to be correct.
We do not grow everything on these lists all of the time but are providing information often difficult to find.
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Mountain Man will show you scales of plants denotes plants usually in production

Succulent groundcover, mounding spreading habit. 6-12" by 2'. Moderately fast grower, Gray green leaves. Spring covered with flowers in shades from white to purple. Native in South Africa. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Needs good drainage. May need to be periodically cut back to rejuvenate.

Purple Trailing Lantana Lavender flowers accent the trailing growth habit of this lantana. It is excellent for spilling over walls or down banks. Eventually will reach about 2' tall by 6' wide, size controlled by pruning and severity of winter. Full sun, drought tolerant Native of South America. A rapid grower. Tolerates heat, smog and poor soil. Cold hardy to mid 20s but quick recovery. Fruit poisonous. Very attractive to butterflies. Zone 8.

Growth and habit are the same as for the species. The difference being the clear white flowers.

For a jolt of summer color, it's hard to beat 'New Gold' Lantana! The intense, prolonged color display, compact growth habit, and durability of this plant have made it a favorite for Southwestern landscapes. Butterflies are also drawn to this plant for its abundant nectar. 'New Gold' will form a mound of dark green foliage to 18 inches tall by 3 feet wide. During the warm season, it produces masses of dazzling bright gold flowers. Don't be concerned if 'New Gold' suffers some frost damage, because it is very root hardy. In the early spring, just prune back any brown foliage, and it will re-grow rapidly. Like other lantanas, 'New Gold' is susceptible to whiteflies. The damage from these pesky insects can be minimized by spraying an insecticidal soap on the underside of the leaves. In Texas A&M field trials, this lantana has been very hardy, to 10° F. USDA Zone 8.

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Creosote The aromatic foliage of this southwest native evokes the scent of rain in the desert! Found virtually throughout the arid regions of the west, this plant is always a favorite in native gardens as it is a durable plant that can provide a solid foundation to the landscape. Creosote tends to have an open appearance with sparse foliage on twisted stems arising from a central base to 6' high and 8' wide. Some plants will become larger if provided with more than ample water, so remember size can be controlled somewhat by the amount of water delivered. Yellow flowers are produced throughout the year, but the heaviest in the spring. The flowers are followed by small fuzzy seedpods. Plant in full sun and in well-drained soil for best results. Creosote bush is hardy to 5°F. USDA Zone 7.

Bay Tree This aromatic shrub, formed of a cluster of many straight, branched stems, is pyramidal in shape. Its leaves are a dark, glossy green. Is frost hardy to 20F. Full sun and quite drought resistant, Scale insects can be a problem. In the low desert, some sun scalding may occur. This is a large evergreen shrub to 30' but is slow to moderate in growth rate. Native to Greece and the Mediterranean.

Deciduous to semi-deciduous thornless tree to 30'. Green feathery leaves bout 6' long. Clusters of large white puffball flowers early summer. Mexican native, Full sun, Will tolerate lawn situations. Good drainage. Zone 8.

Golden Lead Ball Tree Deciduous. Mod. fast to 20'. Fine textured foliage. Bark & branches smooth, gray. Showy yellow gold 1 1/2" puffballs spring-summer after rains. Frost tolerant. Full sun. Very cold & drought tolerant, can take reflected heat. Single or multi. Dry rocky slopes 1500-5500' in W Texas-Chihuahua. Bright glossy-green twice innately compound. Bark cinnamon colored, flaky. Wood brittle & can break in wind or ice. Slow. Needs well drained site. Unarmed. Zone 7.

Leucophyllum
Texas Ranger, Texas Sage It is hard to imagine a xeriscape without Texas rangers. These tough desert-adapted shrubs provide the backbone for many desert gardens. Mostly evergreen, clean, and hard to kill, they are indispensable to anyone designing a colorful, low-maintenance landscape. These plants absolutely thrive in the hot, muggy monsoon season, when the rest of us are wilting. In fact, they are sometimes called barometer plants, since their spectacular flower displays coincide with periods of high humidity. You might also hear them referred to as "Texas sage," although they are not a true sage. Texas rangers are actually related to penstemons and snap-dragons, and are native to Texas and Mexico. Plant Texas rangers in full sun and reflected heat locations. The hotter it gets, the better they like it! These adaptable beauties are also very cold tolerant, down to 10º F. They prefer well-drained soils, and will rot out if overwatered. Too much shade, water, or fertilizer can cause plants to become leggy. If you plant them in full sun, and allow ample room for growth, very little pruning should be required. If you must prune them, do so in the spring, since the summer heat will produce a flush of new growth. Please don't shape them into gumdrops or tabletops! Not only does this destroy their lovely natural form, it removes all of the flower buds. Just let them do their thing, and you'll be rewarded with masses of fragrant flowers. Fifteen years ago, there was only one lonely selection of Texas ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens) available in the nursery trade. Today, thanks to the research efforts of Benny Simpson of Texas A&M University, as well as other horticulturists, we have a host of clones to choose from. Read on to select the best ones for your garden! Leucophyllum candidum Silver Cloud™ A trademark of Texas A&M, this selection has tiny silver leaves and deep violet flowers. It grows to 4½ feet tall and wide. This selection is almost identical in appearance to Thunder Cloud™, but is larger, and does not bloom as profusely. The L. candidum varieties are especially susceptible to over-watering, so plant in a well-drained soil! USDA Zone 8. Leucophyllum candidum Thunder Cloud™ prove that good things come in small packages; Thunder Cloud™ is one of the most popular Texas rangers. It has a tight, compact form with stiff branches, growing slowly to only 3 feet tall and wide. Its silver-white foliage provides a stunning backdrop for the deep purple flowers. Thunder Cloud™ blooms repeatedly during the summer and fall, making it one of the most floriferous selections on the market. It is also the most likely to rot out if over-watered, so be judicious with your irrigation. Thos is another winning Texas A&M introduction. USDA Zone 8.

'Heavenly Cloud' is the result of a cross between 'Green Cloud' and Leucophyllum laevigatum. The result is a plant that has the size and leaf color of 'Green Cloud' with a flower that is closer to Chihuahuan Sage. Mature size can easily get to 6' tall and wide, although some plants have reached up to 8'. Lavender-purple bloom is primarily in late summer, with some flowers coming earlier depending on humidity. Full sun, drought tolerant once established.

Trademarked by Texas A&M, this is a hybrid between Leucophyllum minus and Leucophyllum frutescens. This selection has an unusual vertical growth habit, growing to 6 feet tall by 3-4 feet wide. It has silver-grey foliage and violet flowers. USDA Zone 8. Leucophyllum frutescens 'Compacta' Although this is one of the oldest Leucophyllum selections, it is still a winner! Its dense, rounded form requires little or no pruning, and its mature size of 5 feet tall and wide is still small enough to warrant a space in most residential gardens. 'Compacta' has grey-silver foliage and produces oodles of pink flowers when the humidity rises. It tolerates more water and heavier soils than the other selections. USDA Zone 8.

A Texas A&M selection. Tiny silver leaves, deep violet flowers. Grows to 4 1/2' tall and wide. Almost identical to Thundercloud™ but is larger and not as profuse flowerer. This group is especially susceptible to overwatering so well drained sites are needed. Candidum is found in west Texas on hillsides 2200-4900'. It is drought tolerant once established. Original mother plant was located at the entrance to Big Bend Park. Zone 8.

One of the oldest of the leucophyllum selections. Dense rounded form requires little or no pruning. Mature size is 5' tall and wide. Grey silver foliage and a heavy producer of pink flowers as the humidity rises in summer. Does tolerate more water and heavier soils than other selections. It is drought tolerant once established. Zone 8.

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Since Texas A&M introduced this Texas ranger to the nursery trade in the early 1980's, Green Cloud™ has become the most widely-used selection. Compared to the other clones, it has the largest leaves, and a lush green color. Frequent summer flowering, with large rose-pink blossoms, are other selling points. Green Cloud™ is fast growing, and relatively carefree. However, many people are not aware that Green Cloudä is one of the largest Texas rangers, easily attaining a size of 6-8 feet tall and wide. All too often this shrub is jammed into spaces that are far too small, starting the vicious cycle of severe pruning and "poodling". This creates unnecessary maintenance and limits flower production. USDA Zone 8.

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The large white flowers of this Texas A&M clone provide a cooling contrast when mixed in with purple or pink-flowering Texas rangers. Another good background shrub, White Cloud™ has a somewhat rangy growth form to 6-8 feet tall and wide. Its grey foliage allows it to blend in well with our Sonoran desert natives. USDA Zone 8.

Chihuahuan Sage My front porch is surrounded with a meandering row of Chihuahuan sage. I love the informal, relaxed growth habit of this wonderful shrub. Its loose, spiky form and small olive-green leaves blend in well with our Arizona natives. Periodically throughout the summer and fall they explode with fragrant lavender flowers. They are a reasonable size for most gardens, growing to about 4 feet tall by 5 feet wide. USDA Zone 8.

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This selection of Texas sage was collected by Lynn Lowrey, a very special plantsman from east Texas. Lynn, who passed away in 1997, is a legend among botanists and plant collectors. With his usual discerning eye, Lynn picked out this clone for its profuse and frequent flower displays. 'Lynn's Legacy' grows slowly to about 5 feet tall and wide, with a dense, rounded form. Its rich green foliage is a wonderful backdrop for the lavender flowers. Compared to most selections of Texas sage, this clone is not as dependent on changes in relative humidity for flowering. This means that it blooms more often during the course of the summer than other selections. In fact, this clone is called 'Lynn's Everblooming' in Texas. In many ways, 'Lynn's Legacy' is very similar to ‘Rio Bravo’, but grows more slowly and blooms more frequently. Like the other selections of Texas sage, it is hardy to 10° F. USDA Zone 8b.

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If you prefer a more formal look, you might consider using Rio Bravo™. It is very similar in appearance to Chihuahuan sage, but maintains a tight, rounded form without any pruning. It forms a dense mound to 5 feet tall and wide. Its foliage is a slightly richer green than Chihuahuan sage and Lynn's Legacy', providing a more lush appearance. Although it has the same lavender flowers as Chihuahuan sage, it does not bloom as profusely. Rio Bravo™ looks great in combination with Thunder Cloud™! USDA Zone 8.

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Sierra Bouquet™ has the most fragrant flowers of all the Texas Rangers. If you plant a cluster of these shrubs in your garden, the air will be perfumed with the scent of grape bubble gum whenever they burst into bloom. Its larger stature, to 6 feet tall and wide, makes it an ideal backdrop for some of the smaller selections. Open and sprawling in form, the Sierra Bouquet™ is a good choice for more natural desert landscapes. Violet blossoms enhance the silver-grey foliage. USDA Zone 8.

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Collected from a higher elevation in Mexico, this species is especially well-suited to colder climates. It is completely evergreen in the Phoenix area, and blooms later than some of the other species, preferring the cooler fall weather. The texture of the foliage is very different from the other Texas rangers. Its succulent, light green leaves have the texture of rosemary. It blooms profusely in the fall with large, medium purple flowers. This plant grows slowly to 4 feet tall by 4-5 feet wide. USDA Zone 8.

A petite choice, Cimarron™ tops out at about 3 feet tall and wide. It has a softer silhouette than ThunderCloud™, grey-green foliage, and blue flowers. This species is sometimes called Blue Ranger. This clone is easily identified by the distinctive cupped leaves. It seems less likely to rot out than the Thunder Cloud™. USDA Zone 8.

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Blue Flax has a delicate, airy texture, and blooms in the spring with sky blue flowers. This short-lived perennial is at home in meadow settings, where it blends well with native grasses and other prairie flowers. Once the summer heat sets in, the blooming stops, and many seeds are produced. If water is available, it can reseed in the landscape. To prevent this, trim plants back almost to the ground after flowering. Blue flax grows to 18 inches tall and wide, with fine textured green foliage. It is native across much of the western U.S., at elevations from 3500 to 9500 feet, and is hardy to -30° F. For best results, plant Blue flax in full sun and well-drained soil. It is happiest at middle to high elevations. USDA Zone 4.

Frog fruit If a science fiction movie is made about the "groundcover that ate the world", Lippia nodiflora will undoubtedly have the starring role. This fast-growing, aggressive spreader is great for certain applications, but be cautious about how and where you use it. Lippia is ideal for planting in contained areas, such as between a sidewalk and a driveway. It is also a good choice for planting between stepping stones. Another application might be in creating natural meadows. It has small, grey-green leaves, and is very prostrate, reaching a height of only 3 to 4 inches. During the warm months it produces loads of tiny rose-colored flowers that attract masses of bees. Because it handles foot traffic fairly well, it has been used as an alternative for turf. However, it turns completely dormant in the winter months. It is hardy to -20° F. Lippia handles full sun and reflected heat, as well as shady exposures. It needs supplemental water in the warm months, and responds to nitrogen fertilizers. USDA Zone 5.

Native in wet meadows, marshes & along stream banks. The foliage is deep, dark green which contrasts beautifully with the vivid red flowers that bloom on 2-5' stalks August and September. Hummers are the main pollenators. A perennial. Flower color can range from magenta to red.

Loose flowered lobelia In oasis zones, or planted around water features, Lobelia laxiflora provides a lush green feel, colorful red flowers, and attracts hummingbirds. This native of southern Arizona, Mexico and Central America is usually found at elevations from 4000 to 5000 feet. Loose flowered lobelia blooms in the spring, summer and fall with loose clusters of red tubular flowers that have yellow-orange throats. It thrives in wet soil, but does not require excessive amounts of irrigation to survive and look good. It will grow to about 12-15 inches tall by 2 feet wide. Underground stems allow this perennial to recover quickly from temperatures as low as 10° F. USDA Zone 8.

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Outstanding semi- evergreen, twining vine with bluish-green foliage and gorgeous pink and white, trumpet-shaped flowers. Peak bloom occurs early-mid spring, sprinkling of flowers during remainder of growing season; blossoms have a very light fragrance. Has legendary toughness of honeysuckles, but with more restrained growth habit. Seems to have little problem with powdery mildew. Tolerates alkaline soils, heat, drought, and moderate salt levels.

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Rock Pea is a durable perennial that grows to about 1 1/2' tall by 2' wide. Yellow and orange pea-shaped flowers appear from February through May. This plant can tolerate full sun, reflected heat, drought, and poor soils as long as they are well drained. Rock pea is native to Arizona, southern Utah and Nevada, California, and into northwestern Mexico. Numerous stems branch from a woody base. It is drought deciduous and can get leggy with too much water. Good to cut to ground to rejuvenate. Zone 7.

An annual bluebonnet often found on gravelly hills in S Texas. It will grow to 4' in height with is rich blue flowers.

Stalks of violet pea like flowers in spring. An annual from the high desert good in sandy, rocky and well drained soils.

A showy annual growing to 1' with stalks of blue sweet pea like flowers in the spring. Great cut flower. Not hardy below 0F.

Desert Wolfberry is an arching shrub that grows to about 6' tall and wide. Small lavender flowers bloom in clusters from February through May. Red berries follow flowering to add interest. Native to desert washes and rocky slopes up to 6000' in elevation. From southern Utah and Nevada, southwestern New Mexico, most of Arizona, and into Mexico.

Thornbush is a moderate grower to 8' tall and wide. White to purple flowers appear from January through April, followed by red, oval berries. Thornbush is tolerant of moderate cold, reflected heat, full sun, and drought. These are native to southwest Arizona and into Mexico, from elevations of 2000' to 4000'.

Branches are arching and spreading. Drought tolerant. Cold deciduous. Great bird cover. Moderately fast to 10'. White or pale lavender flowers produce small bright red fruit. Leaves are succulent light green. SW Arizona native and into Southern California. Good Drainage. Full sun or partial shade. Not very refined looking.

Semi-evergreen tree to 45'. Will grow rapidly with moisture. Rough gray bark. Pinnately compound leaves drought /cold deciduous. Flower heads small, pale & cream color. Sun, heat & drought tolerant. Can freeze to the ground in cold areas. Native e of Tucson in Sonoran desert 2800-4000'. Lush texture, dense shade. Naturally a multiple stem. Damaged below 20. Drops leaves briefly in spring. Seed pod litter. Chlorotic if overwatered. Larval food plant for Large Orange Sulphur. Mimosa replacement.