March is the month that spring begins to make its presence known here in Tucson, so in celebration we’re featuring three beautiful plants of the month. They are the Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla), Lady Banks Rose Vine (Rosa banksiae), and the Gopher Plant (Euporbia rigida). Let’s find out what makes each of these remarkable plants perfect fits for your Tucson landscaping.
The Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
The fairy duster is a semi-evergreen, densely branching shrub that grows to about three feet tall and is native to our very own Sonoran desert. The most distinctive feature of this plant has to be the dense clusters of pinkish white blossoms that bloom sporadically, starting in early spring. The fairy duster is a great choice for people who need a plant that is easy to grow, hardy to 15 degrees, and that can attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Lady Banks Rose Vine (Rosa banksiae)
This popular plant has been used in many Tucson landscaping projects, and it’s easy to see why. It is a good choice for erosion control, as as for a burst of color in your landscaping. The Lady banks rose will reach heights of twelve to twenty feet and has long, glossy leaves which will defoliate at lower temperatures. Unfortunately, this plant is susceptible to damage from harvester ants, so make sure to apply Amdro insecticide around anthills to prevent the ants from stripping the plant’s leaves.
Gopher Plant (Euporbia rigida)
The gopher plant may have a funny name, but it is an extremely hardy plant (to 0 degrees) and features attractive, blue-green leaves. This native of South Africa and the Mediterranean region.
It performs best in full sun to partial shade, and although it’s drought-resistant, it prefers supplemental irrigation during the warm weather. Do not over-water this plant, however. The gopher plant works well in containers as a specimen or a low foundation plant in combination with other desert natives. It can also be used in perennial gardens and low planters or as a border or background planting. It reseeds naturally in desert landscapes after the summer monsoons.
Are you interested in featuring any of these three wonderful plants in your Tucson landscape design? If you are, give us a call at 520-321-4678 or contact us on the web. We’ve been in business since 1979 and are experts on creating beautiful landscapes for residences and businesses alike!