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Natives that are great landscape plants π΅ , butterfly magnet π¦, summer fun begins! π, and more
Published about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi, Desert Gardener,
I learned (or should I say "relearned"?) an unpleasant gardening lesson this week.
I trimmed a few rangy stems off my blackfoot daisy and developed an intensely itchy rash on my hands and wrists. Looking back I recall having had a similar reaction to blanket flower and Gregg's mist. (Notice a pattern?) Well, it finally dawned on me that these are all members of the same plant family -- the Asteraceae. Duh! I've since learned that contact allergy to members of this family that includes asters, daisies, and sunflowers is fairly common. So please don't let this happen to you.
When in doubt, assume that everything in the desert is out to get you and never assume a plant is "friendly", even when it looks as innocuous as blackfoot daisy.
Mexican sunflower is a large, shrub-like annual with eye-popping, red-orange flowers that pollinators canβt resist. Bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies will frequent its flowers and may be visited by beauties such as monarchs and tiger swallowtails. Read more ββ
Fun Flower Facts!
Asteraceae is commonly known as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family. It is one of the largest plant families. Figures vary, but it has around 32,000 species that worldwide account for 10% of all flowering plants!
Native Desert Plant List
If youβre looking to add more native plants to your southwest garden, but arenβt sure what plants to include, check out this list of over 120 native plants that make attractive, low maintenance, wildlife-friendly landscape plants. Read more ββ
As the weather heats up in May, gardening activity winds down. Discover what you can still plant, prune, and fertilize (and what you shouldnβt), how to adjust your watering schedule as you head into summer, and more. Get the details here ββ
Upcoming Tucson Events
There are lots of interesting garden events and classes coming up soon! Upcoming highlights include: * Chillin' at the Chul @ Tohono Chul (now through August) * Landscape Gardening in the Desert @ Pima County Master Gardeners (5/25) * Hydroponic Herb Jars @ Green Things (5/30)
Not in Tucson? Look for online classes.Anyone can participate in these.
Gardening Quote
"I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs." β Joseph Addison, essayist, poet
Be a successful desert gardener. Find everything you need to know to create and maintain a beautiful, carefree desert landscape in our weekly newsletter.
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