Page 20 - BRN April 2021
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 • # Autumn Sage and Texas Blue Sage (Salvia greggii and S. farinacea) Hummingbirds, hawk moths, bees, carpenter bees, large and small bee flies are attracted. Neither of these species is native here in southern New Mexico, but they are excellent flowering plants for the landscape.
Succulents
• # Parry Agave (Agave parryi) A striking landscape species that ultimately creates a spectacular flower stalk before the plant dies. Many pollinators visit flowers. Birds relish young flowers and may strip buds before seeds can be produced. It is host for the orange giant skipper
• # Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri). Dioecious plants with showy inflorescences which are attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators.
• # Hesperaloe, Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora). A native of Texas and northern Mexico. Hardy
plants with a long bloom period. Red
flowers are very attractive to hummers.
Foliage and internal stem are attractive to a variety of animals including pack rats and gophers!
• # Beargrass (Nolina texana). A very hardy succulent with the appearance of a large grass. Nice planted in clusters. A variety of insects are attracted to flowers. Unlike Agave; Nolina, Yucca and sotol flower frequently. Host for the Sandia hairstreak.
• # Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata). Succulent plant with upright flowering stalk that can grow as tall as 5’. Large showy, fragrant flowers, followed by large edible fruits. Specific host of a yucca moth.
• # Palmilla, Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata). A variety of insects nectar on the large showy flowers, seeds are an important food source for wildlife. Host plant for the yucca giant butterfly. Prefers desert locations with well-drained soils. New Mexico State flower.
Note: Native cacti are excellent landscape plants. Heat and drought tolerant, their spectacular flowers are excellent for a wide variety of pollinators. Succulent fruits are relished by wildlife.
Perennials
It is important to consider flowering time when planning your perennial garden so it will have blooms (and food sources) from spring through fall. This will help provide nectar throughout our warm season for birds and insects. Hummingbirds love red, tubular flowers such as the beard-tongue penstemon, but they will also visit columbine,
desert willow and other flowering plants, so a variety of blooms are important.
# Sunflower Family: What you see as one flower in any member of this family is actually a cluster of tiny flowers. (Sometimes there are hundreds.) Most sunflower family members are great for butterflies and bees because these insects love the broad, sunny landing perches. Most species here have a wide range of tolerances:
• Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata). A spring blooming plant for desert locations.
• Chocolate flower (Berlandiera lyrata). These plants come in and out of bloom from mid-spring to fall. The name describes the fragrance of the flowers!
• *Arizona Thistle (Circium arizonicum). Red flowers are clustered in a tight head, very attractive to hummers, two- tailed swallowtail butterflies and others for nectar.
         Two-tailed Swallowtail nectaring on Arizona Thistle, Cirsium arizonicum.
 Photo Mara Trushell Guerrero
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