Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - October 16, 2007
From: Havasu Lake, CA
Region: California
Topic: Invasive Plants, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs
Title: Landscaping in the Southern California desert.
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
We are located in southern California in Lake Havasu. I'm trying to landscape sloping areas. I have arrow weeds (Pluchea sericea) and want to get rid of them permanently. How can I achieve this or what other plant can I use that requires low maintenance?ANSWER:
You don't say how many (5? 100?) plants of Pluchea sericea (arrowweed) that you have and their size (they can grow as tall as 16 feet). However, your best bet, no matter how many you have or how large they are, is to cut them off and dig out the roots if you want to be rid of them permanently. Even then you will need to watch for seedlings and dig or pull them out as well. If digging out all the roots is too daunting, you might try cutting them off as close to the ground as possible and continue cutting off any new sprouts. If you are persistent in doing this, you might eventually kill them—at least you won't have their tall presence.
Here are some plants suited to your desert landscape that should work in the area in question. I have included large (shrubs or small trees) and small (herbaceous perennials and annuals) plants.
You can search in our National Suppliers Directory for nurseries and seed companies specializing in native plants in your area.
Acacia greggii var. wrightii (catclaw acacia)
Artemisia tridentata (big sagebrush)
Artemisia ludoviciana (white sagebrush)
Ephedra trifurca (longleaf jointfir)
Psorothamnus fremontii var. fremontii (Fremont's dalea)
Purshia stansburiana (Stansbury cliffrose)
Yucca schidigera (Mojave yucca)
Sphaeralcea ambigua (desert globemallow)
Lupinus sparsiflorus (Mojave lupine)
Geraea canescens (hairy desertsunflower)
Abronia villosa (desert sand verbena)
Erysimum capitatum (sanddune wallflower)
Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa var. nauseosa (rubber rabbitbrush)
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Spotted spurge in Dublin GA
June 05, 2011 - I noticed that you did not have a "Spotted Spurge", or "Chamaesyce maculata" listed. My Aunt asked me for help identifying it, until she remembered what it was.
view the full question and answer
Overwintering a Juncus effusus in Great Neck, NY
October 23, 2008 - Can I over winter a juncus effusus spiralis indoors or must it be kept outdoors? Whether indoors or outdoors, what is the proper way to keep it alive during the winter months?
view the full question and answer
Choosing the right Coreopsis species for Tennessee
November 28, 2015 - I live in Bristol Tennessee and have replaced most of my lawn with native plants. I have been trying to learn more about the Coreopsis genus. In TN, we have C. auriculata, grandiflora, lanceolata, m...
view the full question and answer
Penta and licorice plants for Austin
May 04, 2009 - For Austin location
Are you familiar with a small flowering plant called Penta?
How about Licorice?
If yes, could you provide growing conditions.
Thanks
view the full question and answer
A Bounty of Edibles for New Braunfels Texas
October 25, 2013 - I was hoping you could suggest a few plants that would serve several purposes. I live in New Braunfels, TX and would like to incorporate as many drought tolerant plants which would support birds, but...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |