-
- Articles
Index : Landscape Plants
-
-
- 28. Choosing the Right Landscape Plants - Top
Before spring planting season arrives, give some thought to your future landscape plans. Before going out to buy trees and shrubs, have an idea which plants will work in your yard. Take into account such factors as cold hardiness, sun and shade tolerance, plant function and available space.
Choose plants adapted to the desert and to our climate zone. The most accurate climate map is the Sunset Western Zone Map which places Tucson in Zone 12 and Green Valley in Zone 10 or 12 depending on the elevation. Nogales, and Sierra Vista are both in zone 10. Before purchasing any landscape plants check the Sunset Western Garden Book to see if the plants your thinking about buying are adapted to our region.
Use the zone map as a general guide. But also determine the plants cold and heat tolerance. For instance, cape honeysuckle is a shrub listed for zone 12, however if you live in a colder part of town, along a wash or low area where cold air drains, this plant will freeze.
Summer heat can be just as much a problem as winter cold. Plants planted in areas of reflected heat and sun, such as west facing walls, will need to be tolerant of reflected heat. Reference books such as "Plants for Dry Climates" by Duffield & Jones and "Landscape Plants for Dry Regions" by Jones & Sacamano list heat tolerance information.
If your fortunate enough to have shade in your yard, take advantage of the plants which need protection from strong sunlight. It doesn't have to be dense shade, the light canopy of a Mesquite or Palo Verde can provide just enough protection for all but the most delicate plants. Many of the Mediterranean species we like to use so much here in the desert either thrive in, or absolutely require mid-day and afternoon sun protection. Keep in mind, shade-loving plants will not adapt to full sun. Planted in direct sunlight, they will continually look faded and scorched.
If you want a reasonably care-free landscape, be sure to allow enough space for plants to grow. They may look little and cute in their nursery pots, but once they start growing, watch out. That little stick of a 5 gallon Mesquite tree will eventually turn into a sprawling 30 foot monster! If you've planted it under utility lines or right up against the house, figure on regular heavy pruning and a badly misshaped tree. If you've planted it too near your walk or patio, expect the concrete to crack and be pushed up off the ground as larger roots near the soil surface continue to grow. For these reasons, plant trees no closer to walks, walls and patios than half their ultimate size. If, for instance, you plant an Arizona Ash which has a mature spread of 30 feet, set it no closer than 15 feet from obstructions.
The ultimate size of shrubs should also be taken into account. Many Texas Ranger varieties will grow to a height and spread of 10 feet. Planting them beneath a window or in a 3 foot planting strip is not a good plan. If you have limited space and you want a Texas Ranger, choose a variety like Leucophyllum frutescens ‘Compacta' (Compact Texas Sage) which grows only 3 feet high and wide.
"Form follows function" is as true with plants as with other objects. If shade is what you want, then select trees large enough and with dense enough growth to do the job. Place them where they will effectively shade. Most heating occurs along the west facing wall of the house, so placement of the tree to shade that portion is most critical. In terms of shading outdoor use areas, such as patios, the placement may be determined by the time of day the patio is frequently used. Keep in mind that the angle of the sun will be much different in February than it is in June. Placement of shade trees should be determined using June sun angles.
Plants for screening and visual barriers need to have foliage dense enough to do the job. If hedging is to be done, they should be small-leafed plants that lend themselves to clipping with hedge shears. Large-leaved plants look unattractive when pruned with shears.
Finally, consider the aesthetics of plants in the landscape as a whole. Contrast is a pleasing feature of any landscape design, but don't overdue it. The use of too many plants with differing or dis-harmonious flower colors, leaf colors and overall texture (course or fine) can be visually disturbing.
"Growing Patio & Garden Tomatoes" will be the topic for this week's garden demonstrations. They will be presented on Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Pima County Extension Center, 4210 N. Campbell Ave (central); and at 1 p.m. at the Wilmot Library (east), and on Friday at 1 p.m. at the Oro Valley Public Library (northwest).
Written by John Begeman, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Arizona, 520-626-5161. - Updated: February 15, 2004
-
-
[e-Mail me
the Articles] - [Search
the Articles]
-
|
