Who can resist the home supply stores, nurseries, and even supermarkets all seeming to burst with eye-catching blooms, winter vegetables, shrubs for every nook and cranny, and trees? Fall is by far the best time to plant in the Valley of the Sun—the young plants have three seasons to establish before brutal heat, and you have time to assess their needs for water and shade before things get desperate (summer).
It has taken me years of trial and error, thousands of sacrificial plants, and even completing a course or two before feeling equipped to navigate the halls of temptation, and I still succumb. My gardens provide me with great joy not to mention food for my family and much needed resources for local birds and pollinators. Soon you may find yourself face to face with seemingly irresistible (and potentially expensive) choices, and it may be helpful to keep the following suggestions in mind:
Arizonans need to know their ZONE—USDA Plant Hardiness Zone, that is. Arizona is a surprisingly diverse state! Even within the Phoenix greater metro area, there are 3-4 hardiness zones meaning what will do well in north Scottsdale may be very unhappy in Buckeye. Find your planting zone here and check the plant’s tag (or Google it) before you fall in love.
Right Plant, Right Place. Prickly Pear cacti are drought tolerant, produce lovely blooms, as well as edible fruit—but you probably don’t want one right next to your pool or jungle gym. Think ahead and know how broad, tall, messy, or spiny the innocent-looking specimen will become.
Use native plants for landscaping. Once established, native plants are easy to care for and provide birds and other pollinators with resources they desperately need. Without sacrificing function or attractiveness, the below three native plants provide both practical landscaping value and ecological services.
Instead of Bougainvillea (native to South America), try Native Passion Vine (Passiflora arizonica)
Need a fast-growing vine? Trade Bougainvillea’s obnoxious thorns and worthless flowers for butterflies! A fast grower, a single Passiflora plant can spread and grow 20 by 15 feet in a year. The plant is covered with blooms from March to first freeze and produces odd-looking (edible!) fruits that ripen in summer. These strong climbers are easy to prune, and can die back to the ground in cold winters—only to resprout with vigor in early spring. The remarkable flowers bloom at night, attracting sphinx and other moths and last into the daylight hours when a colorful array of butterflies visit, most notably the Gulf Fritillary. This medium-sized orange beauty lays its tiny eggs on the foliage, and soon you’ll see caterpillars and finally more butterflies!
Instead of Hesperaloe (a native to Texas), try Chuparosa (Justicia californica)
If attracting hummingbirds is your goal, look no further! You don’t have to settle for the plant of parking lots and medians—Hesperaloe–for long-suffering hummingbird food. Chuparosa, tolerant of poor soils, sun and long hot summers, treats human observers to a feast for the eyes—and hummingbirds to a real feast! The lipstick-like blossoms bloom almost year-round and are edible—they have a delicate cucumber flavor. Seed pods look like tiny boxing gloves that will burst apart when ripe. No more need for you to clean and fill hummingbird feeders endlessly with this plant in the yard—you’ll likely see Anna’s, Black-chinned, and possibly even Costa’s come visit. Thanks to Chuparosa’s profuse blooming habitat, there is plenty for all.
Instead of Oleander, try Desert Hackberry (Celtis pallida)
Need a screen? Skip the tired old Oleander: poisonous and invasive; many older plants suffer from Oleander Leaf Scorch (OLS)—a disease common in the Phoenix valley. A great alternative is the attractive Desert Hackberry—a sturdy shrub or small tree that keeps its leaves all winter and gives you something to enjoy every season. Tiny white flowers smell delightful in spring, attracting small flower flies and other pollinators. The flowers give way to small red (edible) berries prized by birds, especially Northern Mockingbirds, House Finches, and migratory birds like White-crowned Sparrows, and Hermit Thrush. Still not convinced about the Desert Hackberry? Consider that due to the dense growth habit and thorns, this hackberry provides ideal nesting spots for our native birds—a fortress from predators. Despite all it gives, this sturdy plant requires little care, tolerates poor soil, and prefers full sun.
With all native plants, a period of patience is required—it is not recommended to expect them to thrive immediately upon installation with no action on your part. “Drought-tolerant” does not mean they are magical and can survive without water. Expect to water regularly and monitor for signs of stress. If things don’t look right, contact your local nursery sooner rather than later for advice and early intervention.
Now that you are armed with some suggestions and resources, you’ll likely be better able to withstand that impulse plant purchase—or at least know what you are getting into. Happy planting!
