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

Cat Claw Vine This semi-evergreen vine exhibits vigorous growth with tendrils that cling to any surface. Its glossy green leaves show off bright yellow flowers in the spring season. It can grow 20-30' and is damaged below mid teens. Full sun. Loves the heat. Fast. Native in South America.

An evergreen impenetrable 8' shrub. Blue green holly like foliage. Covered with clusters of small yellow flowers in spring and red berries in fall. Good wildlife habitat. Very drought tolerant. Native in Arizona, N. Mexico and Texas.

Pearl Bluebush is a mounding succulent to 3' tall and wide. The foliage on this plant is blue-gray to white, and consists of masses of succulent, oblong leaves packed tightly together. Flowers are brown to tan and inconspicuous. Plants will tolerate poor or alkaline soils, as long as drainage is provided. Does well in full sun to partial shade. Native to Australia.

Rocky Point Ice Plant If you're having a hard time giving up the notion of a green lawn, Rocky Point ice plant may win you over. Its succulent, bright green leaves provide a lush backdrop for the yellow daisy-like flowers. This ground cover blooms off and on nearly all year, with short breaks in the winter and summer. Rocky Point ice plant grows to about 10-12 inches tall by 3-4 feet wide. In very hot summers it can burn back, but re-grows quickly as soon as the weather cools off in the fall. I've been told that birds favor the succulent leaves, pecking them to extract liquids in the hot summer months. Malephora lutea is hardy to the 15° F. USDA Zone 8.

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Often known as the Barbados Cherry or Acerola, this mounding shrub from southern Texas to the West Indies is an underused ornamental. The compact selection George Hull has developed came from Mary Irish's garden and we offer cultivar name 'Little Mary' in her honor. This selection has short internodes and a compact growth habit to 3, maybe 4'. It has small wavy leaves, which make it ideal as a compact, informal hedge-type shrub. In addition, from early summer to fall it is covered with small light pink flowers that faintly resemble those of a crape myrtle. Each 5 petaled flower is about 1/2 inch across and is followed by bright red, cherry-like fruit. It is not uncommon to have both flowers and fruit appear at the same time. Typically the tart but edible fruit is one-half to one inch in diameter, but our selection has much smaller fruit. The flavor has been described as sweetly acidic with a slight hint of apple. Barbados cherry may be collected for preserves or eaten from hand. High in ascorbic acid the species was once cultivated as a natural source of vitamin C. The drupes are sought by birds and other wildlife as well, so you had better get an early start. Little Mary is considered evergreen to about 25°F, and is root hardy to 20°F. In colder regions, the plant may be utilized as an attractive potted plant for the patio. Although considered very drought tolerant, the plant may shed leaves in time of extreme dryness. Good drainage is a must for this plant, otherwise it has few other requirements or problems. USDA Zone 9.

Texas Tuberose Ever since you were a kid, you've probably dreamed about finding a cool plant with purple polka-dots. Manfreda maculosa will fulfill your fantasy! This unusual member of the amaryllis family has linear, fleshy, unarmed green leaves that are decorated with purple spots. Texas tuberose has a symmetrical form similar to an agave, and sends up tall flower spikes in the summer. The individual flowers start off creamy white, aging to a light purple color. Hummingbirds are attracted to the tubular blossoms. It can be planted in containers, or in the ground. Individual plants grow to about one foot tall and wide, but form clumps quite rapidly. In fact, it could be planted at 2-foot intervals to form a unique and hardy groundcover. Texas tuberose is a very versatile and adaptable plant. It grows in clay or rocky soils, handles either high or low amounts of irrigation, and thrives in full sun to full shade exposures. However, the purple spots are more pronounced in sunny locations. In the winter, the leaves will probably burn back to the ground, but new foliage is produced in the spring from the underground tuber. Test plants in Denver have recovered from temperatures as low as 10° F. USDA Zone 8.

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Fern clover is a low maintenance groundcover that spreads by underground rhizomes to a size of about 8" tall by 2' wide. Plants are very tolerant of cold and heat, and look best in part to full shade. Water requirements are moderate. Native to west Texas. Foliage color is soft gray green with a silver sheen. It can be an aggressive spreader. Only during extreme drought or cold will the 4-6" foliage dry up. Endemic Texan. Zone 7.

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An evergreen shrub growing slowly to 12'. The leaves are leathery, spoon shaped, light green and look somewhat like mistletoe. The few flowers produced from April through November are not showy. Considered quite tolerant of salty and brackish soils. As it is also capable of growing in heavy poorly drained soil it is perhaps a better choice than jojoba in garden cultivation. Native to the Texas Gulf coast and those of Baja. Useful as a screen or hedge, it will grow in full sun to part shade. Hardy to 18° F. USDA Zone 8.

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Tree Alfalfa Small to medium sized semi-deciduous tree to 5' Moderately fast. Clover like leaves lush in winter can be drought and heat deciduous. Mediterranean native. Bright yellow small flowers in late winter. Drought tolerant as well as sun or light shade. Can look pretty drab in winter.

Blackfoot Daisy Most people in the low deserts are aware of this tough little perennial, but may not be aware that it recovers from temperatures down to -20° F! The small white daisy flowers of Blackfoot daisy have yellow centers, and cover the small mound of foliage during the bloom season. In low deserts the flowering is heaviest in spring and fall, while summer is the showiest season in the high deserts. The plant itself has narrow grey-green leaves, and grows to a useful size of about 12 inches tall by 15 to 18 inches wide. The stems are quite brittle, so it is not suited to high traffic areas. Plant Blackfoot daisy in full sun, well-drained soil, and be careful not to over water. It is highly tolerant of reflected heat exposures. It is reported to be deer resistant, but I have no personal experience with this. Although deer may not eat it, I have visions of their hooves smashing the brittle stems and killing it anyway. USDA Zone 5.

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South African native. It is a large shrub. Leaves are large being nearly a foot long divided into leaflets. Soil adaptable and tolerant. It is rather coarse looking but tropical. Leaves are not pleasant smelling. Spikes of brown flowers in early spring.

The description is the same for major but on a smaller plant. This plant is not common.

Fast growing vine for warm climes. Vigorous. Twining. Herbaceous in colder areas. Deep green leaves are palmately compound. Flowers are bright yellow morning glories. Lower Sonoran native into Baja. Lush appearance all summer. can look rough in winter. Will climb to 15'. Drought tolerant. Survives with underground tuber. Foliage damaged below freezing tuber hardy to 15f. Heat loving, well drained site. Fast with additional water. Zone 8.

Monkey Flower is ideal for shady, damp garden locations. It is native along streambeds in California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Oregon. In late spring and early summer in produces unusual orange-red flowers that some say resembles a monkey face. Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers. This herbaceous perennial grows to about 2 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide, with large green leaves. Monkey flower is adapted to both low and high deserts, as long as it receives afternoon shade and ample irrigation. It looks great in combination with Golden columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha). USDA Zone 5.

Four O' clock Cascading over low walls or tucked between boulders, Four O' clock is a stunning groundcover. The rounded, succulent leaves are blue-green, giving a lush appearance. Frost will burn this foliage to the ground, but it recovers rapidly in the spring from a large tuber. During the summer it puts out masses of large, trumpet-shaped hot pink flowers. These blossoms open in late afternoon (hence the name Four O' clock), and close the next morning. Hummingbirds and hawk moths are attracted to the flowers. The seeds set after flowering are a favorite of desert birds. This long-lived perennial is native to New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Utah, and is hardy to -20° F. It will grow in full sun or part shade, but insists upon well-drained soil. Native Americans used the roots to induce visions. USDA Zone 5.

This native of east Texas has taken the Southwest by storm in the past few years. During their fall bloom period, mass plantings of Regal Mist™ can literally stop traffic! The haze of deep pink flowers covering the plant is especially stunning when backlit by the sun. Muhlenbergia capillaris is a small clump grass with narrow, glossy green leaves. The foliage forms a dense rosette to three feet tall and wide, with the frothy flowers adding another 1-2 feet of height in the fall months. This fast-growing plant should be cut almost to the ground in late winter or early spring to remove the brown leaves and spent flowers. In cold regions it will turn winter dormant, but is hardy to -10° F. Regal Mist™ thrives in full sun and reflected heat locations, and even tolerates light shade. It is adapted to a wide range of soils, from sand to clay, and survives drastic fluctuations in water supply. While it will survive with very little water, it needs ample irrigation to look its best in the summertime. To date, reseeding has not been a problem when plants are watered with drip irrigation. Use Regal Mist™ in bold sweeps, nestled up against boulders or low walls for a softening effect, or around water features and swimming pools. USDA Zone 6.

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Bamboo Muhly provides a totally unique look for the garden. Its chartreuse, very fine-textured foliage creates a soft, billowy appearance, providing a wonderful foil for bold succulents and cacti. Compared to the other Muhly grasses, its flowers are insignificant. Bamboo Muhly spreads slowly from underground stems, eventually forming a clump to 4-5 feet tall and wide. It thrives in full sun or part shade, and is adapted to a wide range of soils. It appreciates moderate to ample summer irrigation. Bamboo Muhly is hardy to 10° F. USDA Zone 8.

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Bull Grass is native to rocky slopes in oak woodlands from Arizona to Texas. El Toro™ was collected in southeastern Arizona, where it grows in dense colonies. This blue-green grass is smaller and more dense than Deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens), growing to about 2-3 feet tall and wide. In the fall months it sends up loose, dark purple flower spikes. El Toro™ is very drought tolerant, and grows equally well in full sun or part shade. It is hardy to 0° F. USDA Zone 7.

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This Texas native makes a great backdrop for Muhlenbergia capillaris Regal Mist™. During the fall months, its tall spikes of light yellow flowers glow when backlit by the sun. The narrow, light green leaves form a dense mound to 5 feet tall and wide. Autumn Glow™ is very adaptable, tolerating full sun to almost full shade, and most soil types. It is a good choice for retention basins or other areas that receive periodic flooding. It is hardy to -10 ° F. USDA Zone 6.

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A perennial grass with airy pink-purple seed heads like cob webs in late summer to late fall. Drought tolerant and also tolerant of different soils. Will prefer good drainage though. Grows to a mature size of about 3' tall and wide. Native to Mexico, west Texas, Utah, and New Mexico. Zone 6.

Deer Grass Dependable and adaptable, Deer grass is the backbone of many desert gardens. The lush green-grey foliage softens boulders, cacti, and is ideal for use around water features. Native to the Southwest at elevations up to 7000 feet, Deer grass thrives in varied conditions. It flourishes in full sun and difficult reflected heat exposures, and tolerates quite a bit of shade. Deer grass is extremely drought tolerant, although the foliage browns out if adequate water is not available in the summer. It also handles high rainfall, virtually any soils, and is hardy to 0° F. In the fall it sends up slender tan flower spikes that create a stunning contrast with the four to five foot mound of luxuriant foliage. Since Deer grass can reseed if watered with overhead irrigation systems, drip irrigation is recommended. USDA Zone 6.

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Sometimes a small, low-growing grass is needed as a border or in areas with site visibility restrictions. Nashville™ fits the bill, growing to about 2 feet tall and wide. It has fine-textured light green foliage that goes completely dormant in the winter, even in low desert locations. In the late summer and fall it sends up purple-tan spikes that dry to a wheat color. Its growth requirements and habits are very similar to those of Deer grass, and it is also hardy to 0° F. USDA Zone 7.

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Australian native was once extremely popular in the low desert. It is fast given good soil and moisture but can also quickly decline from the same. Evergreen it will grow to less than a foot in height. There are other more drought resistant and adaptable groundcovers available.

Common Myrtle Mediterranean native large shrub. Evergreen dark green pointed leaves. Flowers are attractive, fragrant and white. This is a large plant and out of scale with many homes but could be used as a hedge or sprawly screen if space permitted.

Dwarf Myrtle This small evergreen makes a great small hedge. If allowed to bloom, it will have blueberrie like fruit in fall. A Mediterranean native it does quite well in the hot low desert.

Roman Myrtle Leaves are small and dark green and clustered around twisting branches. Bark is light tan. Flowers are creamy stars and followed by black fruit. Moderate in growth rate to 12'. Full sun or part shade and drought tolerant. Needs good drainage.