   Drought Tolerant Shrubs for the Verde Valley - April 25, 2001 Jeff Schalau, County Director, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County We live in a beautiful, mid-elevation desert environment and there is no reason we can't conserve water and have attractive, interesting landscapes. Water conservation in urban landscapes is a practice everyone needs to consider. In the past, landscapers had a limited palate from which to design xeriscapes. However, nurseries are now propagating many native species that conserve water, have interesting features, and thrive on native rainfall once they are established. Let's look at some drought tolerant shrubs that are suited to our area. Indigo bush (Dalea pulchra) is a southwest native shrub that tolerates temperatures down to 0 degrees F. The foliage is silvery-gray in color, about on-half inch long, and composed of 5-9 leaflets. Indigo bush will reach 4 feet tall and gets clusters of pink-purple, pea-like flowers in the fall, winter and spring. These flowers also attract bees, so keep this in mind when placing next to high pedestrian traffic areas. It should be planted in full sun and can tolerate reflected heat. Soils should be well-drained and plants should not be over watered. Flame Anisacanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus) is another southwest native shrub that tolerates temperatures down to 5 degrees F. It has rich green leaves that are 2 inches long by 1 inch wide and goes deciduous during winter. During summer, flame Anisacanthus produces spikes of red-orange, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It reaches 4 to 5 feet tall with a round to irregular shape. It can tolerate partial shade and will benefit from winter irrigation if rainfall is lacking. Some protection from rabbits may be necessary on young plants. Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) is a small shrub that reaches 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide. It produces prolific yellow daisy-like flowers in spring and fall. The dark green, needle-like leaves are also very fragrant. Damianita should be planted in full sun and is hardy to 0 degrees F and tolerate most well-drained soils. It should be sheared back once a year to encourage new growth. Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla) is a southwest native shrub that reaches 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. This is a very tough shrub that tolerates temperatures down to 10 degrees F. Pink fairy duster has fine textured green leaves that gives it a "ferny" appearance. The flowers are most prolific in spring, are showy and pink (stamens). It can survive on 11 inches per year of rainfall, but will flower more profusely with additional irrigation. Rabbits may browse on tender shoots of fairy duster, so some protection may be needed. Hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia) is a large, evergreen shrub to 12 feet tall and 10 feet across, hardy to 15 degrees F, and prefers full sun. The flowers are inconspicuous but resulting fruits offer some interest as they persist on the plant. The fruit are aromatic and have been used as a substitute for hops in brewing of beer. Hopbush makes a nice screen hedge for privacy. It can be sheared, but looks better when allowed to take its natural form. It is a clean plant suitable for planting near pools and patios. Beware of planting hopbush in very cold locations. These shrubs are being propagated by wholesale nurseries and offer some alternatives to the omnipresent Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens). Not that Texas Ranger is not an excellent drought tolerant shrub. We simply need to expand our palette. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on horticulture and landscaping. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 or E-mail us at mgardener@kachina.net and be sure to include your address and phone number. Find past issues of Backyard Gardener and other horticultural information at the Yavapai County Cooperative Extension web site at http://ag.arizona.edu/yavapai/. |