Our desert native: Paperflower

Prickly pear cactus love to be here, and thrive in full sun with minimal water. Accenting prickly pear cactus with perennials adds interest, especially if you combine a purple pad species, such as the Santa Rita Prickly pear with yellow flowered perennials such as the Paperflower. The agave species is a wonderful addition to desert landscaping, adding both textural and color interest. Depending on the species, you can choose plants with either green, blue-green, or dark green leaves. Check for cold hardiness and mature sizes, as both of these factors are important considerations for survival. View the list »
Barrel cactus are also suitable plants for your desert landscaping, provided you are selecting one that will take the cold and heat. Not all cactus like sun, and many do not like temperatures below freezing. For Tucson and Green Valley, choose the Fishhook, Golden or Fire barrels for best results. 

Gardening newsletter

Sustainable landscaping is the new Xeriscaping, still incorporating the use of low water use and natives along with water harvesting. Landscaping your Tucson or Green Valley area home with desert natives does not mean a boring yard by any means, as there are plenty of native plants available to provide color, texture and food for wildlife.

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The Paperflower, Psilostrophe cooperi, is a perfect flowering native perennial. This small 2 foot tall and wide perennial works well in any landscape, requiring minimal water and perfectly drained soils to thrive. It must have full sun. The Paperflower blooms from spring into summer with a profusion of yellow flowers drying to a papery seed head. Water carefully, as overwatering can kill.

Plant Paperflower with other desert plants. It is well suited as a companion to the agave species, barrel cactus and prickly pears. Choose cold hardy species so you will not have to worry about cold temperatures.

Reference: Mountain States Wholesale Nursery and Gregg Starr Nursery Plant Info Sheet, 1999.

View the list
  • Barrel cactus are also suitable plants for your desert landscaping, provided you are selecting one that will take the cold and heat. Not all cactus like sun, and many do not like temperatures below freezing. For Tucson and Green Valley, choose the Fishhook, Golden or Fire barrels for best results. 
  • The agave species is a wonderful addition to desert landscaping, adding both textural and color interest. Depending on the species, you can choose plants with either green, blue-green, or dark green leaves. Check for cold hardiness and mature sizes, as both of these factors are important considerations for survival. 
  • Prickly pear cactus love to be here, and thrive in full sun with minimal water. Accenting prickly pear cactus with perennials adds interest, especially if you combine a purple pad species, such as the Santa Rita Prickly pear with yellow flowered perennials such as the Paperflower. 
View the list

, Tucson Gardening Examiner

This author has lived in Arizona since 1972 and has been gardening for more than 28 years. A landscape architect and certified arborist, Linda teaches classes for everyone in desert plant care for Green Valley Recreation, and provides services in landscape design. Contact her at Linda...

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