PLANTS for the Albuquerque area.
Two tips... 1. One plant might have many names, both common and latin, which can cause confusion and 2. Time is best spent researching plants before buying, instead of replanting after they have died. The best place to see pictures of preferred plants is found at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center online. For additional help
making choices, contact GG.
To choose the
right plants for your space and lifestyle, make a list of what you would like to do in your garden. Focus on how the garden can work for YOU and your family, then move on to plant selection. Gardeners'Guild understands that the right plants can improve the results so the support group's policy is to suggest options that are better suited to this arid, high desert area.
Here is a short list of recommended plants for ecology-conscious landscapes. Many
of these have beneficial properties for people and wildlife, in addition to
resilient and decorative qualities:
FLOWERING VARIETIES - allysum(sweet) bee balm, black-eyed susan, blanket flower/gallardia, blue flax california poppy, purple coneflower/echinacea, coreopsis, jupiter's beard, larkspur, mexican hat, oriental poppy, rudbeckia
ORNAMENTALS of mention - agave (parryi), cholla, ocotillo, yucca
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES (varying water needs) - big bluestem, bushy bluestem, NM feathergrass, indian ricegrass, little bluestem, mannagrass, miscanthus, muhly, northern sea oats, sedges, sandlove grass, threadgrass and many more.
PERENNIALS that are edible - anise hyssop, calendula, chives, cilantro, fennel, feverfew, hollyhock, lavender, marjoram, mints, nasturtium, oregano, rosemary, sage, scarlet globemallow,
tansy, viola, yarrow +++
PERENNIALS for habitat - agastache, butterfly
bush, butterfly weed, columbine, evening primrose, flax blue, goldenrod, lamb's ear, lavender hyssop, marigold, mints, nicotania, penstemon, rosemary, salvias, and verbena/vervain.
SHRUBS and TREES for structure or interest - apache plume, bird of paradise, cliffrose, desert willow, golden current,
littleleaf mockorange, mesquite, mimosa, mountain mahogany, mexican elder, oaks (check for the best in your conditions) redbuds of many kinds, redtip fotinia, smoketree, sumac, sycamore and vitex. NOTE that the many varieties of ash are great for city settings.
GROUND COVERS to shade soil - cat mint, creeping rosemary, clover, germander, thyme,
hens and chicks, sedums, and datura (large, beautiful and poisonous if ingested
- do not burn datura as a method for removal!)
VINES best choices - cardinal climber, hummingbird vine, some ivies, morning glory, moon flower, silver lace, trumpet vine, vinca, virginia creeper
+++(annual or perennial designation depends on your location and the temperatures in winter. if your area temps are cold enough to kill the plant, that plant is not a 'perennial' in your area. Experiment with covers in winter to extend the possible life of your plants!)
Some recommended by Desert Spring Nurseries. Many of these varieties are
very xeric, and can be over-watered. Soil with good drainage can help.
Ground Covers - sea foam or artemesia, james' buckwheat, ice plant and heron's
bill (in shade)
Easy-grow perennials - mexican evening primrose, big bend penstemon, horned
poppy, desert 4 o'clock, chocolate flower, sand lovegrass, giant sacaton,
northern sea oats (in shade)
Arid adapted - palmer penstemon, desert 4 o'clock, chocolate flower, giant
sacaton, james' buckwheat, algerita, sotol
Some 'special needs' plants worth considering:
Flowering varieties - penstemon (native and very xeric), columbine
More perennials - berries, currant, cherry, pear, quince, pomegranate
Shrubs and Trees - gingko, loquat, fig, plum,mugho pine
Ready to buy? The following are a few of the places to find good
quality plants that work for NM conditions.
Rehm's Nursery, closest to Nob Hill residents
The Great Outdoors, a beautiful place to visit and find great plants!
Jericho Nursery,
new on Alameda near 1st St NW
Watch for a variety of seasonal plant sales at the Albuquerque Garden Center
throughout the year. Find interesting specimens, locally grown.
RECOMMEND YOUR FAVORITES!
Email to ask a question, or to send a contribution! info@gardenersguild.org
