TREES AND SHRUBS ADAPTED TO SOUTHERN UTAH
|
|
TREES AND SHRUBS ADAPTED TO SOUTHERN UTAH |
| TREES |
| Chilopsis linearis
Warren Jones™ Desert Willow |
| Desert Willow is found in washes and ravines throughout the southwest. This small deciduous tree is open and airy, and with age develops shaggy bark and a twisted trunk. The orchid-like flowers are a rich soft pink appearing in spring and sporadically through the summer. Fewer pods are produced by this selection than the species. With proper pruning this 25' tree can become very attractive. Although this selection is a little more frost intolerant than the species, it can also often be more evergreen in mild situations. The cultivar is named in honor of Landscape Architect and University of Arizona Professor Emeritus Warren Jones. Hardy to 10° F. USDA Zone 8. |
| Eysenhardtia othrocarpa Kidneywood |
| Kidneywood is a large shrub or small tree that can grow to a mature size of about 20' tall by 12' wide. This plant is deciduous, but may be semi-evergreen in milder climates. Small white fragrant flowers that smell of vanilla open in clusters on terminal spikes throughout the summer. This Arizona native is quite tolerant of sun, reflected heat, drought, poor soils, and cold. Butterflies, wasps, bees are attracted to the flowers for the nectar and the foliage is larval food. Hardy to 0° F. USDA Zone 7. |
| Pistachia
x
‘Red Push’ Red Push Pistache |
| This Pistache is a hybrid of P. atlantica and P. integerrima. It is a deciduous tree with a moderate growth rate developing a broad, spreading growth habit to 25 – 40' in height by about 20 – 30'. The compound leaves have 10-16 leaflets and have a distinctive reddish color while young. The leaves mature to a medium green color but with fall the coloring changes again to beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow. Young trees may be a bit gawky, but some become shapely with age. Trees are drought and cold tolerant, and can adapt to a wide variety of soils. Non-allergenic and long-lived this is a tree that should be utilized more in the southwest as a street or lawn tree. Hardy to -20° F. Zone 5. |
| Prosopis
pubescens Screwbean Mesquite |
| This southwest native has fuzzy yellow 2" long flower spikes from April to June. A deciduous tree, it has medium green fernlike foliage. It differs from Prosopis glandulosa with smaller spines and leaves, leaves 5-8 pairs not 10 or more, twigs gray not red, and the bean forming distinctive tight coils. It grows best in deep well-drained soil in full sun. It will accept ample water but is considered very drought tolerant. It often forms a multi-trunked tree or large shrub with shaggy bark on older specimens. Mistletoe and scale may pose a problem but rarely endangers the tree. Hardy to 0° F. USDA Zone 7. |
| SHRUBS |
| Chrysactinia mexicana Damianita |
| This small, compact shrub grows to 2' tall and as wide, with needle-like green leaves and yellow daisy-like flowers. Its tiny leaves have a sweet-smelling aroma when crushed. In the fall and spring it is transformed into a vibrant, bright yellow mound of tiny daisy-like flowers. Damianita is a very tough, durable plant, tolerating extreme heat and cold, down to 0º F. It should be planted in full sun and well-drained soil. Over time, this plant can become woody. Light shearing in the early spring will remove old flower heads and encourage new growth. Damianita ranges from New Mexico to west Texas and into northeastern Mexico, at elevations of 2000 to 7000 feet. USDA Zone 7. |
| Dalea
pulchra Indigo Bush |
| An Arizona native, Indigo bush thrives in full sun and reflected heat exposures. It also tolerates temperatures as low as 15° F. This evergreen shrub has an open, rounded growth form to 5 feet tall and wide. Its delicate silver foliage provides a striking contrast to the masses of violet flowers produced in the winter and early spring. Indigo bush is quite susceptible to over-watering, so plant it in well-drained soil and be careful not to kill it with kindness. The nectar-rich blossoms attract bees and butterflies. USDA Zone 8b. |
| Eremophila maculata Valentine™ |
| This beauty is sure to become a fast favorite. Evergreen, winter-blooming, hot pink to red tubular flowers, naturally dense form, extremely heat tolerant …what more could you ask for? Valentine™ blooms from January through March with incredible masses of red flower buds that open to form hot pink, fuchsia-like blossoms. In the winter months the tiny, dark green leaves develop an attractive reddish tinge. If left unpruned it has a natural form very similar to that of the Chihuahuan sage (Leucophyllum laevigatum). However, it responds well to shearing, and can be maintained in a tight ball, if desired. In fact, blooming occurs on new tip growth produced the previous season, so an annual shearing is recommended in late spring, after flowering has ended. Valentine™ will grow to about 4-5 feet tall by 5-6 feet wide. Plant it in full sun for best growth and flower production. This plant is hardy to 15° F. USDA Zone 8. |
| Leucophyllum langmaniae 'Lynn's Legacy' |
| 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. |
| Maytenus phyllanthoides Sweet Mangrove or Mangle Duce |
| 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. |
| Salvia x Trident Trident Sage ™ |
| This is a three-way hybrid between Salvia mojavensis, S. clevelandii and S. dorrii. The progeny retains the strong, pungent aroma of the desert sage and the interesting whorled flowering spikes of the Cleveland sage but introduces compactness, extreme drought tolerance and hardiness. The flowers are dark cobalt blue and while not large are quite showy. This salvia is one that has performed well in the low desert where other species have not faired as well. USDA Zone 6. |
| Tecoma x
‘Sunrise’ Sunrise Esperanza |
| This Mountain States selection is similar in many ways to the ‘Gold Star’ cultivar. It has a lengthy bloom period sending up glorious spikes of orange-yellow flowers from spring to fall. ‘Sunrise’ differs by sporting a burnished copper color on the flower buds and the back of the inflorescence. It is considered slightly hardier than ‘Gold Star’. If frost should happen to burn the foliage, the plant may be cut back in early spring to rejuvenate growth. In warmer regions, the plant may reach 6 feet by 6 feet. This plant has a clean habit, as it drops old, spent flowers quickly. Coupled with a tendency to not set seed until late in the season, the plant creates a constant supply of new blossoms. Although similar in appearance, many consider ‘Sunrise’ to have a more refined appearance than the more vine-like ‘Orange Jubilee’. Regardless, it is a fine addition to the line of Tecoma cultivars. USDA Zone 9. |
| Perennials & Groundcovers |
| Bulbine frutescens
‘Yellow’ Yellow Bulbine |
| Bulbine frutescens is a shrubby, rhizomatous plant with succulent leaves. Plants spread by rhizomes (underground stems), creating low, wide-spreading clumps. The yellow-flowering form grows to 18'' tall and 3' or more across. Its cylindrical, fleshy leaves are 4 to 6'' long, usually upright to slightly spreading on the plant. ‘Hallmark’, the orange-flowering selection, is more compact, and its leaves are slightly smaller. In fall, winter, and spring the plants are topped by 12 to 18'' long spikes of yellow or orange flowers. Individual flowers are about 1'' across and have numerous small hairs on the anther filaments. Succulent leaves are fragile, so locate it away from foot traffic. Growth habit is not very tidy so not particularly suitable for more refined landscapes. It is useful in erosion control and makes a good container plant. Hardy to 10° F. USDA Zone 8. |
| Eriogonum
fasciculatum v. poliofolium Flattop Buckwheat |
| Flattop Buckwheat is a clumping, grass-like plant with a naturally low-rounded form growing to 1.5' tall by 2' wide. The smallish leaves are dark green and are covered in a white wool-like down beneath. White to pink flowers appear in dense flattened clusters throughout the summer. This plant is tolerant of drought and heat. Native on dry rocky slopes 1000 - 4500' across Southern California and Utah and Arizona. Adaptable to most soil conditions it prefers coarse well-drained soils in full sun. Hardy to 15° F. |
| Hymenoxys acaulis Angelita daisy |
| This is an outstanding perennial, providing a splash of gold all year in low desert gardens. It is native to rocky slopes and dry mesas across the Southwest, at elevations ranging from 4000 to 7000 feet, and is hardy to -20° F. At higher elevations, the color will be concentrated in the summer months. This compact, dense little perennial forms a clump of slender green leaves to 12 inches tall by 15 inches wide. Yellow-gold, daisy-like blossoms perch above the foliage on tall, leafless stems. Angelita daisy should be planted in full sun and well-drained soil. Expect it to go dormant when temperatures drop below about 10° F. Because this colorful beauty has such a long bloom period, old seed heads can cause it to look scruffy from time to time. You should remove spent flowers every few months to keep the plants looking fresh and new flowers forming. USDA Zone 5. |
| Penstemon triflorus Hill Country Penstemon |
| This Texas native is a recent introduction to the Arizona scene. For the past three years, Hill Country Penstemon has been one of the first species to bloom (in early February), and continues to send up flower spikes through April. It has especially large, deep rose flowers marked with colored streaks, called "guidelines", which lead hummingbirds and other pollinators to nectar stored deep inside the blossoms. With its compact form and 2' tall flowers spikes, Hill Country Penstemon makes a great foreground plant for some of the taller selections. USDA Zone 7. |
| Psilostrophe tagentina --- Paperflower |
| Covered with a profusion of clear yellow 1" flower heads mostly in the spring but also following rains from March through September. The flowers are persistent often turning a papery appearance, hence the name. This often creates a straggly appearance on older plants that can be easily remedied with a slight trim. A native perennial of Utah, Western New Mexico, Arizona, Southern California and New Mexico. It creates a low mounded form to 2'. The light green leaves are narrow up to 2" long. Commonly found at 2-5000' elevations in full sun and well-drained soils. Supplemental water will increase flowers during summer months, but too much water will reduce flowering. USDA Zone 5. |
| Verbena tenuisecta 'Edith' |
| A verbena that survives scorching Phoenix summers, blooming from early spring through fall. We have tested several different verbenas, looking for the Holy Grail. 'Edith' out-performed the rest of the pack through several summers, blooming throughout the warm months with masses of lavender pink blossoms. This fine-textured verbena was discovered in North Carolina, in Edith Eddleman's garden. It forms a low, spreading mound of bright green foliage to 6-8 inches tall by 4-5 feet wide. This is a plant that loves full sun situations and thrives in heat, but would appreciate some shade in the afternoon. Once the weather turns cold, some frost damage may occur, although we have not experienced any injury even in the low 20’s. If you do see foliar dieback, simply prune in late winter to encourage new growth. Best growth is achieved if ‘Edith’ is planted in fall to allow for complete establishment before the onset of summer. Early spring would be the second best time for planting. USDA Zone 9. |
| Verbena x Summer Beauty TM |
| Summer Beauty TM is our newest addition to the Mountain States lineup. This plant also has been trialed at the nursery and has certainly lived up to its name. The appearance is quite similar to that of ‘Edith’, growing as a low mound to 8 inches in height and up to 5 feet across. In contrast it has dark purple velvety flowers produced nearly year round. While purple Verbena cultivars are fairly common, we feel this particular selection is as durable as any other on the market. It is a fairly fast grower with little maintenance requirement. Summer Beauty TM thrives in full sun, even in Phoenix. We are now releasing this selection for sales in the southwest. USDA Zone 9. |
| ACCENT PLANTS |
| Agave
palmeri Palmer Century Plant |
| Agave palmeri forms compact medium-sized rosettes to 3' tall by 4' wide. In the wild it doesn’t produce offsets, but occasionally produces them in cultivation. Agave palmeri has beautiful blue-green leaves with many reddish brown teeth along the margins. The leaves are lance-shaped, about 2' long by 4'' wide, and have a strong terminal spine up to 2'' long. At the end of its life cycle Agave palmeri will send up a spectacular branched flower stalk to 10 to 18' tall with the branches in the upper one-half of the stalk. The greenish yellow flowers are clustered at the ends of the lateral branches. Flower stalks begin to appear in late spring, with full flowering occurring in mid-summer. This high-elevation agave tolerates temperatures as low as 5° F. Plant Agave palmeri in full sun and well-drained soil, and away from high traffic areas, as it’s terminal spines are wicked. As with other agaves and yuccas, this species is susceptible to the agave snout weevil. USDA Zone 7. |
| Agave schidigera Durango Delight TM |
| Agave schidigera Durango Delight™ is a symmetrical compact small to medium sized plant, growing to 2-3' wide by 2' tall. The dark green leaves are 1 to 1.5' long and 1'' wide at their widest point. They are decorated with white markings and thin white marginal fibers. Plants that are five to ten years old consist of 100-150 leaves which radiate uniformly from the center, giving the plants a very symmetrical shape. There are no marginal teeth on the leaves; however, the tip is very sharp and can inflict some damage. The flower stalk is 10 to 12' tall and is densely loaded with dark purple flowers. This selection of Agave schidigera is sure to become a favorite for tight planting spaces, and as a container plant. Plant Durango Delight™ in full sun or part shade exposures, and in well-drained soil. Hardy to 15° F. USDA Zone 8. |
| Hesperaloe
funifera Giant Hesperaloe |
| Giant Hesperaloe is an excellent, low-maintenance accent plant with a bold, striking form. This clumping, stemless, upright plant grows to 6' tall and wide. Giant Hesperaloe has stiff, broad, lime green leaves with coarse white fibers along the margins. In the summer it blooms, sending up a 12-15' tall flower spike of creamy white flowers. Giant Hesperaloe should be planted in full sun and well-drained soil. It tolerates reflected heat exposures like a champ, and is hardy to 0° F. USDA Zone 7. |
| Nolina
nelsoni Blue Nolina |
| This Nolina has a bolder look than other Nolina species, and is often mistaken for a Yucca species. The 2 to 3' long, 1'' wide leaves range from grey-green and flexible (juvenile foliage) to powder blue and less flexible (mature foliage). The leaves are edged with tiny teeth that can inflict cuts on an unsuspecting gardener. Blue Nolina grows at a moderate rate, eventually developing a 10 to 12' tall trunk, crowned by a 4 to 5' rosette of foliage. Old leaves persist along the trunk, resulting in a naturally shaggy look. These dead leaves can be removed for a neater appearance. In the summer Blue Nolina sends up a 10' tall spike of small tan flowers. Blue Nolina is very adaptable, tolerating full sun and reflected heat, as well as part shade. Withholding irrigation in the fall and winter will harden off Blue Nolina, and prevent most frost damage. This native of Mexico is hardy to 10º F. USDA Zone 8. |
| Yucca
rostrata Beaked Yucca |
| The blue leaves, tall narrow trunk, and spectacular summer display of creamy white flowers all combine to make this one of the finest yuccas for ornamental landscapes. Yucca rostrata forms a trunk to about 10' tall. Young plants are usually unbranched, but older plants may develop a few branches near the top. The narrow blue leaves are up to 2' long by ½ '' wide, and end in a sharp terminal spine. Young plants are similar in appearance to Yucca rigida, but their mature forms are quite different. Beaked yucca grows taller, with a narrower form, while Yucca rigida is shorter, with a bulkier crown. Yucca rostrata prefers full sun or very light filtered shade, and a rocky, well-drained soil without supplemental organic matter. As with other yuccas, roots are susceptible to attack by the grubs of a desert beetle. A good program is to treat plants with an approved insecticide once in the spring, and once in the summer. Check with your county agent to determine the best product to use. Yucca rostrata is hardy to -20° F. USDA Zone 5. |
| Yucca
thompsoniana Thompson’s Yucca |
| One of the smaller trunk-forming species, Yucca thompsoniana grows to 6' tall, often with 3 branches or more. In youth, it can be confused with Yucca rigida, due to its stiff powder blue leaves with yellow margins. However, the leaves of Thompson's yucca are shorter, to only 12'', and have serrated margins. It would be a great substitute for Yucca rigida if that species were not available! In the late spring, it sends up 3 to 5' tall flower spikes. This plant is native to rocky slopes in west Texas and adjacent northern Mexico. It is probably hardy to 15º F. USDA Zone 8b. |
Return Home Mountain States Wholesale
Nursery webmaster george@mswn.com
January 06, 2009
|