My contribution to the solar eclipse photos

The setting solar eclipse behind Picacho Peak, AZ

Solar Eclipse 2012

Notice two sun spots in the lower right

The setting solar eclipse behind Picacho Peak

Vegetable gardening timetable for the Tucson area

 Here is a timetable I created to help me plan for my vegetable garden that I thought others might appreciate.



My Favorite Flowering Smaller Shrubs

We last looked at my favorite trees and shrubs, so now it is time to look at my favorite lower shrubs and groundcovers.  Like the last post, I am focusing on regionally native and locally native plants that are beautiful, but have other uses as well.

1.     Blue mist or Gregg’s mist flower (Conoclinium dissectum): This low growing perennial has pale blue puff-like flowers that are great attractors for the Queen butterfly as well as others.  It is native to the Chihuahua Desert so does well on our local rainfall, although a little extra water will help it maintain blooms longer.  It also can slowly spread from underground rhizomes.  The stems are only a foot to a foot and a half high and form a nice looking ground cover.

2.     Autumn sage (Salvia greggii): This, too, is an evergreen perennial.  This woody plant grows about two and half feet tall and wide and usually has red, sometimes white, flowers punctuating the ends of the branches.  It blooms throughout the year except in the coldest times and hummingbirds absolutely LOVE them.  This is a great plant in a mixed border to provide not only color, but to feed your hummers.

3.     Blackfoot daisies (Melampodium leucanthum):  This somewhat dainty looking plant is a hardy perennial with white daisies similar to Shasta daisies.  This plant can be mixed in a border, but really stands out en mass and the flowers can be cut to bring indoors.  It is not often mentioned as a butterfly plant, but all daisy-like flowers will be visited by butterflies.

4.     Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata): This is a widespread perennial wildflower in our deserts around here.  It only shows itself in the wilds after good rains and in the spring when the bright yellow daisy flowers pop above the low growing basal leaves.  However, in a landscape that receives some regular water, it will bloom throughout the year.  It makes a good cut flower, rare for desert flowers and the butterflies also like them.  It is definitely a ray of sunshine!  Reseeds easily.

5.     Sacred Datura (Datura metaloides):  This unusual plant grows in areas where it receives a little extra water (like along the edges of roadsides) and does not look like it should belong here.  It has large green leaves and large white trumpet shaped flowers that open over night.  The flowers are extremely fragrant and pollinated by Sphinx moths.  It can die back in severe frosts, but often will return; otherwise it is an evergreen perennial.

 

6.     Golden fleece (Dyssodia pentachaeta):  This small plant of less than one foot all around usually grows in large masses and should be used as such.  They make great understory to larger upright plants or in rock gardens.  They bloom throughout the warm times of the year and will often die back in the winter.  Reseeds easily.

7.      Penstemon (lots of types):  I have tried only two penstemons, firecracker and parryi.  Both have done well, but the parryi has stood out as more reliable year after year.  Penstemons are perennials, but the flowers only tend to bloom in the spring.  Still, they are quite striking and the hummingbirds love them.  They are best planted with other flowering shrubs that hide the main plant, but allow the flower spikes to stand out above them, in rock gardens, or en mass.  Reseeds easily.

I hope you have a great week and if you are interested in my favorite trees and shrubs, please see the previous posts.  There is more to come, so please stay tuned!