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OTHER COMMON NAMES: Stickleaf, Adonis Blazing Star, Adonis Stickleaf, Desert Blazingstar, Manyflowered Mentzelia, Prairie Stickleaf (Spanish: Pega-pega, Rama Pegajosa, Buena Mujer)
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
Unusual in home landscapes but an important bee plant that thrives in hot dry places in the garden
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Small shrub |
2'X1' |
Yellow |
Direct sow or scatter in Fall |
Full sun, low water once established |
Special value to bumblebees and native bees, nectar |
No |
Biennial (only lives two years) but likely reseeds Flowers open in the afternoon and close in the morning Not generally available at nurseries
|
Sharp leaves |
Recommended use in the landscape:Plant with other highly drought tolerant plants such as cacti, succulents and shrubs such as brittlebush, creosote, odora, and San Felipe dogweed.
For further information
SEINet. 2020. Mentzelia longiloba profile
Other common names: American Trixis, California Trixis, Trixis (Spanish: Hierba del Aire, Santa Lucía, Hierba del Pasmo, Ruina)
Difficulty level (when growing from seed): Easy
American Threefold, by Danielle Carlock. 
Bright green leaves and yellow flowers provide visual interest in this uncommonly grown shrub
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Small shrub |
2’X2.5’ |
Yellow (Feb-Oct) |
Direct sow in soil or scatter |
Partial sun, low water once established |
Nectar |
No |
Not generally available at nurseries |
None |
Recommended use in the landscape: In nature, American Threefold likes to grow under trees with filtered shade (ex: Paloverde), but do not place in full shade. Would pair well with red flowered plants such as chuparosa (Justicia californica)
For further information
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Trixis californica profile.
SEINet. 2020. Trixis californica profile.
Southwest Desert Flora, 2020. Trixis californica profile.
OTHER COMMON NAMES: narrow leafed milkweed (Spanish: Talayote)
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
Arizona milkweed, Danielle Carlock
One of our native milkweeds, plant to support and attract Monarch and Queen butterflies
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Small shrub |
Up to 3'X3' |
White |
Soak seeds in warm tap water for 24 to 48 hours before planting |
Partial sun, especially in summer, medium water |
Nectar, host plant for Monarch and Queen butterflies |
No |
n/a
|
Milkweeds are poisonous and sap can irritate skin |
Recommended use in the landscape: Group several together in a partially sunny spot, especially under a native tree such as palo verde.
For further information
Native Plants of North America Database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Asclepias angustifolia profile.
SEINet. 2020. Asclepias angustifolia profile.
Southwest Desert Flora, 2020. Asclepias angustifolia profile.
OTHER COMMON NAMES: None
Difficulty level (when growing from seed): Medium
One of our native hibiscus plants with showy flowers that attract bees and butterflies
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE |
WILDLIFE BENEFITS |
EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Small shrub |
2'X2' |
Yellow |
Slight scarification |
Full or partial sun, |
Nectar |
No |
No thorns May dieback in winter and resprout at the base in spring Reseeds in favorable conditions Not generally available at nurseries
|
None |
Recommended use in the landscape: As a small plant with showy flowers and no thorns, Arizona Rosemallow is best enjoyed by placing near walkways or patios.
For further information
SEINet. 2020. Hibiscus biseptus profile.
Other common names: Brownplume Wirelettuce, Brown-Plume Wire-Lettuce, Desert Straw, Fewflower Wirelettuce, Prairie Skeletonplant, Wire lettuce, Wire-Lettuce
Difficulty level (when growing from seed): Difficult
Uncommon landscape plant with dainty flowers that attract pollinators
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Small shrub |
2'X2' |
White/pink/ |
Cold moist stratification for 30-60 days |
Full sun, low water once established |
Special value to native bees, nectar |
No |
Not generally available at nurseries May also act like vine, climbing other plants |
None |
Recommended use in the landscape: Since the plant and its intricate flowers are small, plant where it will stand out, such as near walkways. Its (predominantly) purple flowers make a nice contrast with orange flowered plants such as blanketflowers (Gailardia) or Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
For further information
Native Plants of North America Database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Stephanomeria pauciflora profile.
SEINet. 2020. Stephanomeria pauciflora profile.
Southwest Desert Flora, 2020. Stephanomeria pauciflora profile.
Other common names: Coues' Cassia, Coues' Senna, Dais, Rattlebox Senna, Rattleweed (Spanish: Ejotillo, Hojasèn, Daisillo, Ojosón, Oyasón, Rosamaría)
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
A small, long blooming, low maintenance shrub that attracts butterflies
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Small shrub |
2'X2' |
Yellow |
Direct sow into well drained soil. |
Very low water; full sun. |
Host plant for Sleepy orange and cloudless sulphur butterflies Attracts carpenter bees and bumblebees |
No |
May be Can be |
None |
Recommended use in the landscape:Tuck into small spaces in the garden; can be planted in areas without supplemental water. Pairs well with red flowered plants such as Chuparosa (Justicia californica).
For further information
SEINet. 2020. Senna covesii profile.
Southwest Desert Flora, 2020. Senna covesii profile.
Other common names: Flat-top buckwheat, Mojave buckwheat, flattop buckwheat, yellow buckwheat (Spanish: maderista, valeriana, gordo lobo)
Germination Difficulty level: Easy
Eastern Mohave Buckwheat, Danielle Carlock 
A pollinator super-plant great for small spaces
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER |
|
Subshrub |
Up to 3'X3' |
Pink (Mar-Jun) |
Scatter or sow |
Low water, |
Nectar, Special value to native bees, host plant for several butterfly species, |
No |
This is our native variety (poliofolium), often difficult to distinguish from the California variety which has been planted in restorations and can be weedy. Generally the native variety has darker green leaves and is smaller than the California variety. Both are excellent plants for pollinators. |
Recommended use in the landscape: This is a hardy plant which can survive without much supplemental water. Seed can be sprinkled or sowed in gaps in the landscape that you'd like to fill in with this small plant. It lends nice color to the landscape, but more importantly, it supports many pollinators.
For further information
SEINet. 2020. Erigonum fasciculatum
Southwest Desert Flora, 2020. Erigonum fasciculatum profile
Other common names: Slender Poreleaf, Yerba del Venadov (Spanish: Hierba del Venado)
Difficulty level: Easy
Odora, by Jeny Davis. Used with permission.
Uncommon in gardens but an important wildlife plant
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Subshrub |
2'X2' |
White/Purple |
Direct sow or scatter |
Full or partial sun, low water once established |
Host plant for Dainty Sulphur butterfly and several species of owlet moths; nectar |
No |
Not generally available at nurseries |
Has a fragrance some like and some do not, but fragrance does not carry from the plant |
Recommended use in the landscape: Blends well with other native plants including cacti and succulents.
For further information
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Porophyllum gracile profile.
SEINet. 2020. Porophyllum gracile profile.
Southwestern Desert Flora, 2020. Porophyllum gracile profile
Other common names: Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf, Dahlberg daisy, Dogweed, Five-needle Pricklyleaf, Fiveneedle Fetid Marigold, Golden Dyssodia, Golden Fleece
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
Small, easy care long bloomer
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Small shrub |
1'X1' |
Yellow
|
Direct sow or scatter in Fall |
Full or partial sun, low water |
Special value to native bees, nectar, and host plant for Dainty Sulphur butterflies |
No |
Long bloomer Often reseeds in the landscape Can be grown in containers |
Has a fragrance that some find unpleasant, but it doesn’t carry from the plant All parts of the plant, including seeds poisonous if ingested |
Recommended use in the landscape: Mass for effect or mix in with cacti and succulents. Can also be used as a groundcover, container plant, or in rock gardens.
For further information
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Thymophylla pentachaeta profile.
SEINet. 2020. Thymophylla pentachaeta profile.
Southwest Desert Flora, 2020. Thymophylla pentachaeta profile.
Other common names: San Felipe Dyssodia, San Felipe Dogweed
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
San Felipe dogweed, by ezpixels.
Nectar plant uncommon in gardens
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Small shrub |
2'X2' |
Yellow/Red/ |
No pretreatment need; direct sow |
Full or partial sun, low water once established |
Nectar, eaten by birds and small mammals, likely host plant of Dainty Sulphur butterfly |
No |
Aromatic leaves liked by some, but not others Not generally available at nurseries |
None |
Recommended use in the landscape: This subdued shrub will pair well with cacti or succulents.
For further information
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Adenophyllum porophylloides profile.
SEINet. 2020. Adenophyllum porophylloides profile.
Southwest Desert Flora, 2020. Adenophyllum porophylloides profile.
Other common names: Branching Fleabane, Desert Fleabane, Fleabane Daisy, Spreading Fleabane
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
A dainty, beautiful daisy-like plant whose name doesn’t do it justice
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER |
|
Small shrub |
1'X1.5' |
Shades of white, pink or purple |
Direct sow or scatter in Fall |
Low water once established, full or partial sun |
Top nectar plant attracting butterflies and bees; host plant for Hooded owlet moth and flower moth |
No |
Long blooming Can be short lived but reseeds in favorable conditions Not generally available at nurseries |
Recommended use in the landscape: Use as a groundcover or tuck into small spaces in the garden
For further information
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Erigeron divergens profile.
SEINet. 2020. Erigeron divergens profile.
Southwest Desert Flora, 2020. Erigeron divergens profile
