Xeriscape - Drought-Adaptive Horticulture
The Gone Native Drought Adaptive Garden
Scenes from Early March, 2006
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Sandsage is native to deep sandy soils. Galleta grass is native higher elevations in New Mexico in more gravelly soil. Galleta remains at 6 inches tall (with seedspikes of 6 inches more), and makes a dense turf.
This pointilist scene of the new leaves of fruiting mulberry, the berries of chinaberry, and the branches of Arizona Cypress gave a cheerful spring feeling.
Green Afghan Pine, gray texas sage, white bark of anisicanthus, large pad prickly pear, and an ornamental barb wire fence surround a trail just north of the firepit meadow.
Deborah Williams took a standard pre-fab storage shed and gave it character with paint and ornamentation.
Despite the adaptability of the plants at Gone Native, some species do suffer some insect damage. The native oyster scale that often attacks native mesquite sometimes damages Mexican Buckeye.
The sweet scent of the blooms of Mexican Plum fill the air of the grove, pulling a person to find it.
Mexican redbud blooms sometimes pop out of the bark of the trunk of the tree, as well as along its branches.
Gyp mountain laurel from the Guadalupe Mountains has bright new green growth that fades to silver.
Redoak blossoms swing in the wind - a soft fluff in counterpoint to the sharp blades of Agave.
The openness of the leafless grove allows for longer vistas in the winter.
Pocket gophers remained outside of the planted area until 2006. Filling the tunnel with a constant dribble of water forced it to return to the prairie. They perform a version of the job of earthworms, turning and mixing soil and organic material and improving the tilth of the prairie - but will molest the roots of delectable tasting annuals and perennials in the garden.
The bright green of the new leaves of weeping willow provide a strong contrast to the white bark of the cottonwood over the bog garden.