The Texas Rose penstemon for spring color

Lantana species, both the shrub and ground cover, and warm weather plants that are completely dormant in the winter. Their main show of flowers is during the hottest part of the summer, something us desert dwellers can appreciate. Planting penstemons near your lantana is a good way to add color while the plants are winter dormant.Dalea capitata is an underused ground cover suitable for both Green Valley and Tucson. While it is mostly evergreen, it will lose about half of its very tiny leaves during extreme cold weather. This low ground cover only reaches 6 inches or so, and the minute leaves are a good back drop for bolder textures.View the list »
Prickly pear cactus is the easiest to grow of all cactus species, and one of the fastest as well. Adding penstemons with complementary flower colors to the prickly pear’s flower color is a way to add interest to your landscaping. Choose from a number of hardy prickly pears, including the Santa Rita and the Engelmann’s.

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The Texas Rose, or Penstemon wrightii is a large species of penstemon for desert landscapes, and suitable for both Tucson and Green Valley as it is cold hardy down to zero degrees.

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This is a must-have penstemon for hummingbird and perennial gardens, since the coral-colored flowers are a nice addition to any garden filled with yellows and purples. The Texas Rose can take full sun, but must have good drainage. It will reseed itself when conditions are favorable, so you can share extra plants with friends and neighbors.

Planting penstemons among other shrubs, cactus and succulents will make your desert landscaping extra special come spring, and will hide its dormant period. While there are always leaves on penstemons when dormant, they are not much to look at when not blooming.

Plants to use with penstemons include ground covers such as lantana and Dalea capitata, and prickly pear species.

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

View the list
  • Prickly pear cactus is the easiest to grow of all cactus species, and one of the fastest as well. Adding penstemons with complementary flower colors to the prickly pear’s flower color is a way to add interest to your landscaping. Choose from a number of hardy prickly pears, including the Santa Rita and the Engelmann’s.
  • Dalea capitata is an underused ground cover suitable for both Green Valley and Tucson. While it is mostly evergreen, it will lose about half of its very tiny leaves during extreme cold weather. This low ground cover only reaches 6 inches or so, and the minute leaves are a good back drop for bolder textures.
  • Lantana species, both the shrub and ground cover, and warm weather plants that are completely dormant in the winter. Their main show of flowers is during the hottest part of the summer, something us desert dwellers can appreciate. Planting penstemons near your lantana is a good way to add color while the plants are winter dormant.
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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