Regional Picks: Focal-Point Plants – Southwest

1. Blue Oat Grass

Name:Helictotrichon sempervirensand cvs.

USDA hardiness zones:4 to 9

Size:4 feet marvellous and 2 foot broad

Conditions : Full sun ; well - drained grease ; moderate water

This explosive weed seems to mull the looking at of a partly nebulous sky . relish it all wintertime by waiting to cut it back until new growth appears in spring . This plant life is less drought liberal than the other plant discuss here , so do n’t skimp on mulch , and divert runoff water to it if potential .

2. Red-Hot Poker

Name:Kniphofia uvariaand cvs.

Zones:4 to 10

Size:3 feet marvelous and across-the-board

Conditions : Full Dominicus ; tolerates dry , alkaline , and clay grease ; piffling water system

crimson - raging poker might be the most sensational focal - pointedness plant life for the Southwest . Even with our wry and high - alkaline grunge , it ’s relatively wanton to establish this South Africa native . It expect so bizarre that , without the support of other plant , it can impart an almost pinkish - flamingo , in - your - grimace gumminess . Because there ’s not much to face at when it ’s not in bloom , avoid using red - spicy salamander for focal point in areas that require something outstanding year - circular .

3. Century Plant

Name:Agave parryi

Size:18 inches tall and 2 feet wide

Conditions : Full sun to fond shade ; well - debilitate , alkaline land ; very little water supply

Great for small , Confederacy - present beds , century flora boasts a enchantment - inducing turquoise beauty . Its razor - crisp foliage requires deliberate placement — far from children and walkways . This plant persist compact for most of its 10- to 12 - year life sentence twain . In its last year , it produce one of the most salient bloom on earth before dutifully leave behind healthy issue at its base .

4. Globe Thistle

Name:Echinops banaticusand cvs.

Zones:5 to 9

Size:3 understructure magniloquent and 18 inches wide

Conditions : Full sun ; all stain conditions ; little water

take world thistle where a dynamic conversation patch is desired from summertime to fall . Certain to dazzle the eye as well as the imagination , its otherworldly , urchinlike bloom of youth hover high above its jagged , low - develop foliage . Rarely finicky when it come to soil , globe thistle can come through long periods of drought once institute .

Melissa McDonaldis Centennial State - owner of Santa Fe Permaculture and frailty hot seat of the City of Santa Fe ’s Water Conservation Committee in New Mexico .

photo : # 1 and # 3 , Jennifer Benner ; # 2 , Charles Mann ; # 4 , www.botanypictures.com

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