Vibrant Desert Garden Discoveries: New Plants for Southwest Landscapes

Southwest gardeners now have an ever-expanding palette of desert-adapted plants to choose from, thanks to the dedicated efforts of plant collectors and nurserymen like Ron Gass of Mountain States Wholesale Nursery in Glendale, Arizona, and Greg Starr of Starr Nursery in Tucson. These experts have introduced remarkable new varieties that combine toughness with stunning blooms.

We asked Janet Rademacher, marketing director for Mountain States, to share her top picks among the newly introduced plants discovered by Gass and Starr. "There are so many good ones," says Rademacher, "but these plants are outstanding for their resilience and attractive flowers." Look for them at local retail nurseries or—by appointment only—at Starr Nursery (520/743-7052).

Spring Through Fall Color

Angelita Daisy (Hymenoxys acaulis)

Native to Arizona and Texas, this perennial forms a compact mound of bright green leaves, reaching 12 inches tall and 15 to 18 inches wide. Daisy-like golden yellow flowers appear over an exceptionally long season, with the heaviest flush in spring. For repeat blooming, shear off spent flowers before seeds form. "Tuck into tight places or use en masse," advises Rademacher. Plant in full sun with well-drained soil and moderate water. Suitable for Sunset climate zones 10–13.

Spring and Fall Color

Dalea capitata 'Sierra Gold'

Collected in Mexico by Gass and Starr, this lush-looking, semi-deciduous ground cover grows 8 to 12 inches tall and spreads 3 to 4 feet wide. Yellow flowers bloom on 1-inch spikes. Cut back halfway in late winter to maintain vigor. "One of the most durable ground covers for desert gardens," says Rademacher. Thrives in full sun with low to moderate water. Zones 10–13.

Eupatorium greggii 'Boothill'

Collected by Gass in southeast Arizona, this herbaceous perennial features fuzzy light green leaves and reaches 2 feet tall by 2 to 3 feet wide. Fuzzy lavender-blue flowers appear on branch tips in late spring and fall (and even in summer where temperatures stay below 100°F). "Attracts clouds of butterflies," notes Rademacher. Cut back nearly to the ground in late winter. Grows in full sun or partial shade with moderate water. Zones 10–13; dies back to roots when temperatures drop to the mid-20s.

Fall Color

Dalea frutescens 'Sierra Negra'

Collected by Starr in west Texas, this partially deciduous shrub grows 4 feet tall by 6 feet wide, with 1-inch compound leaves and nearly white branches. Brilliant rose-purple flowers bloom on 1½-inch spikes. "One of our best fall bloomers," says Rademacher. Prune severely in late winter to encourage bushiness and flowering. Requires full sun and low water. Zones 12–13.

Muhlenbergia capillaris 'Regal Mist'

Native to southeast Texas and collected there by Benny Simpson, Lynn Lowrey, and Shannon Smith, this clumping grass forms a 3-foot-tall-by-3-foot-wide mound of glossy dark green blades. Deep pinkish-red flower spikes rise 1 foot above the foliage. Prune in late winter to remove spent spikes and brown foliage. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Grows in full or filtered sun with moderate water. Zones 10–13.