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Hi, Desert Gardener,
I hope you and your plants are staying warm and healthy during these chilly nights.
There were a lot of questions this week about cold damage to perennials, vines, succulents, and shrubs, and whether it's OK to prune damaged plants now.
I understand the temptation to cut back dead and damaged growth. After all, we want our gardens to look their best at all times! But trimming now encourages new growth, which is very cold-sensitive. It's much better to wait until the danger of frost has passed. (In Tucson, the generally accepted last frost date is March 15.) So wait as long as you can stand it. π
However, there is one type of plant that you should consider pruning now which we'll discuss below.
In this week's newsletter, we cover:
- A stunning wildflower that's blooming now (or soon, depending on where you live)
- Plants you should prune now
- The truth about desert "wishing stars"
- What to do in the garden this month
- Upcoming gardening classes
- and more!
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Featured Plant:
Parry's Penstemon
This stunning perennial wildflower is normally a harbinger of spring, but I already have 3-foot stalks covered with vibrant pink flowers! (This is earlier than usual.) Parry's penstemon truly is a "no-care" plant that you can easily grow from seeds.
βRead more ββ
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It's Time to Prune Deciduous Trees
By the third week in January, you can start pruning dormant deciduous trees. Once trees have lost their leaves, you can readily see their branch structure to determine what needs pruning. Pruning dormant trees now should not stimulate new growth nor lead to dripping sap. This is also a good time to prune established roses by one-half to two-thirds.
You can always prune any dead or broken branches, suckers, or water spouts on shrubs or trees, especially if they pose a hazard.
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Desert Broom: Maligned Native Shrub
Have you noticed white "wishing stars" floating in the air? Wishing stars may mean something different in other parts of the country, but in the desert, they're the seeds of desert broom. This native shrub is often accused of being invasive (it's not) and for causing winter allergies (it doesn't). Discover the truth about this important desert "pioneer" species.
βRead more ββ
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Garden Events
There are lots of upcoming classes to get your garden ready for spring. Some of this week's highlights include:
* Edible Landscape Tour @ University of Arizona π
* Arizona Native Bees @ Tucson Botanical Gardens π
* Spring Soil Preparation @ Green Things π©πΌβπΎ
Find more & get the details in our Tucson Gardening Events Calendar β
Not in Tucson? Look for classes offering Zoom calls.
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January Gardening Guide
Hereβs a quick recap of what to do, and not do, in the garden this month:
- Be prepared for frost
- Cut back on watering
- Plant bare root plants
- Plants you can now prune
βGet the full details here ββ
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Garden Quote
"There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder."
β Alfred Austin, English poet
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Before You Go...
Do you have a gardening question you'd like to see answered here? Send it to ask@swgardener.com.
If you found this information helpful or interesting, please share it with friends! They can sign up for this newsletter here.
And please stop by the new Southwest Gardener Facebook page and "Follow", "Like", or "Share".
Keep growing and learning,
βDesert Dee
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113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
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