Perfect Plants To Attract Birds & Butterflies!

Butterflies and birds provide a source of enjoyment and education for many of us.  

Here are some of the plants, usually found in this area, that attract them.

For Butterflies:

Butterfly Bush

Buddleia davidii

It's all in the name!

This variety reaches 5 x 5 feet with clusters of fragrant dark purple flowers in summer. Likes full or part sun well-drained soil and moderate water. Cut back heavily in early spring. Feed with Dr. Q's Rose & Flower Food.

Halls Honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica 'Halliana'

Vigorous fast-growing vine with fragrant white and yellow flowers that attract many butterflies. Used on walls fences or trellises, good ground cover on slopes. Full sun any soil and deep infrequent water once established. Prune heavily in early spring.

For Birds: 

Chilean Mesquite Tree

Prosopis chilensis

This complex hybrid is the most frequently used landscape variety.  Grows rapidly to 20 x 20 feet and produces a seed pod that provides food for birds. Young trees may have thorns. Best in full sun with good drainage and deep infrequent water. Prune to open canopy and prevent wind damage.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Opuntia phaecantha

Spreading spiny variety to 4 x 10 feet! It has large yellow flowers followed by rose-red fruit in late spring and early summer that the birds will love. Give this one some room in any desert landscape. Deep water every 2 weeks; withhold water in winter.

For Hummingbirds:

Autumn Sage

Salvia greggii

Hummingbirds adore this popular desert shrub! It grows to 3 x 3 feet and has tube shaped red flowers most of the year. Also comes in coral, pink, white and purple. Plant in full sun amended well-drained soil, water moderately. Prune after bloom cycle to keep active.

Cape Honeysuckle

Tecoma capensis

This vigorous heat-loving vine is a winner to attract hummingbirds in the cooler months. It grows to 8 x 8 feet and has clusters of red- orange tubular flowers in spring thru fall; colorful accent. Prefers amended well-drained soil and moderate water. Prune as needed for form and control. Protect from frost & freezing.

For more plants that attract wildlife to 

your yard see Star Note #545.

3 Things That Are Killing Your Houseplants!

We've all been there. 

You buy a beautiful houseplant and put it in the prettiest pot and it makes you so very happy.

 It's one of the quickest and easiest ways to brighten the mood of any space.

Then, almost as quickly as it came, that happiness fades 

with the wilting and eventual death of your cute little desktop plant. 

::Play sad violin tune::

Here are the three things that you need to do to end this plant killing cycle:

Embrace the Cactus

Rainbow Giant Cactus

Well, not literally, because that's a bad idea. 

Seriously though, the beauty of cactus and succulents are underestimated and underused in the landscape.
 Their prickly charm can add interest and depth and are about as drought tolerant
as you can possibly get.
These plants have undergone some pretty amazing transformations to be able to not only survive in this inhospitable home, but thrive here.
 The truth is, we have a lot in common with these masters of resource.

Rainbow Giant Cactus

If you think about it, their strategies for getting through the extremes are not unlike our own.

Succulence: Cactus, agave, and succulents have the ability to store water in special cells in their stems, leaves, or roots.
We also store water; only we do it in water bottles and coolers to get us though the dry periods.

Fire Barrel Cactus

Skin: Most of these plants have a thin and delicate skin with a layer of waxy coating for protection.

We tend to cover our skin with lightweight clothing and hats when we need protection from the sun.

Roots: The root systems of cactus and succulents are shallow and wide-spreading so that they can collect every drop of rainwater around them.

As residents of the desert southwest we are happy to accept every bottle of water when offered.

Beavertail Cactus

If you're new to the desert and need some advice; always accept the bottle of water when offered!