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Other common names: None
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Difficult
Desert passionflower, by Danielle Carlock. 
Beautiful vine which supports fritillary butterflies
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Vine |
up to 20' |
Blue with white |
Scarify and then soak the seeds for 24 hours before planting |
Full or partial sun, low to medium water |
Host for Gulf fritillary, Mexican fritillary, Variegated fritillary butterflies, Attracts night flying moths |
Fruits edible, but they MUST be ripe (turns yellow and falls off the vine)
|
Not generally available at nurseries Dies to the ground during hard freezes |
All parts are poisonous except the ripe fruit Leaves have unpleasant odor May become weedy |
Recommended use in the landscape: This large showy vine has flowers that open in the evening, so consider placing near a patio, pool, or other area where it can be enjoyed in the evenings.
Other common names: white winnia, spinyleaf zinnia, dwarf zinnia, Southern zinnia (Spanish: zinia, hierba del burro)
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
Desert zinnia, by Danielle Carlock.
One of the zinnias native to the Southwest, it makes a very good drought hardy ground cover
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE |
WILDLIFE BENEFITS |
EDIBLE | OTHER |
|
Groundcover |
1'X1' |
White
|
No pretreatment; direct sow or scatter in Fall |
Full sun, low water |
Nectar, attracts butterflies, special value to native bees |
No |
Long bloom period |
Recommended use in the landscape: Fill in hot spaces in the landscape with this groundcover. Does well in rocky soils, and would look good amongst boulders or in rock garden with other drought tolerant species such as Chuparosa (Justicia californica), Salvias (Leucophyllum sp), and Penstemons (Penstemon sp).
For Further Information
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Zinnia acerosa profile.
SEINet. 2020. Zinnia acerosa profile.
Other common names: Palmleaf Thoroughwort, Palm-leaf Mistflower, Palm-leaf Thoroughwort, Purple Palmleaf
Mistflower, Purple Palmleaf Eupatorium, Boneset
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
Gregg's mistflower, by Danielle Carlock.
If you want Queen butterflies in your yard, this is the plant!
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE |
WILDLIFE BENEFITS |
EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Groundcover |
2'X2' |
Purple/blue
|
Direct sow or scatter seeds in the Fall |
Partial sun, medium water |
Nectar, host plant |
No |
Can be grown in containers |
Frost sensitive but comes back in Spring |
Recommended use in the landscape: Plant in mass to attract butterflies and plant where they can be easily enjoyed. Can also be grown in containers.
For Further Information
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Conoclinium greggii profile.
SEINet. 2020. Conoclinium greggii profile.
Other common names: Vine milkweed
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
Hartweg's twine vine, by Danielle Carlock.
Unusual vine that hosts Queen butterflies
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Vine |
Up to 15' |
White/pink |
Soak seeds in warm tap water 24-48 hours |
Partial sun, low water once established |
Host to Queen butterflies and apparently Monarchs (but only as a last resort) |
No. Poisonous |
Twines on fences and other plants
Not generally available at nurseries |
Plants in this family are poisonous Sap may irritate skin May become weedy; recommend cutting off seed pods (you can donate them to the seed library if you'd like!) |
Recommended use in the landscape: Plant against a wall or other climbing surface or near a shrub it can climb. If you mass them, the flowers will stand out even more and help butterflies locate them.
For further information:
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum profile.
SEINet. 2020. Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum profile.
Other common names: Roving Sailor, Climbing Snapdragon, Little Snapdragon Vine
Difficulty level (when grown from seed): Easy
Snapdragon vine, by Danielle Carlock.
Dainty, easy growing vine that supports pollinators
| TYPE | SIZE | FLOWERS | GERMINATION | CARE | WILDLIFE BENEFITS | EDIBLE | OTHER | CAUTIONS |
|
Vine |
Up to 8' |
Purple or red |
Direct sow or scatter |
Full or partial sun, low to medium water once established |
Host plant for common buckeye butterflies; hummingbird pollinated |
No
|
Does well in containers Not generally available at nurseries |
Dies back to ground during winter |
Recommended use in the landscape: Since this vine is very dainty, grow in a location where it will be easy to view. Does well in containers.
For further information
Native North American Plant database, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 2020. Maurandella antirrhiniflora profile.
SEINet. 2020. Maurandella antirrhiniflora profile.
Southwest Desert Flora, 2020. Maurandella antirrhiniflora profile.