Summer Garden: Native Plants and Wildlife
Summer Garden even in hot dry climates can be full of life and color. A gardener also evolves with the growth of the garden.
Episode 21
Email me if you have questions on the topics covered on podcast or websiteA Southwest native plant garden can be full of vibrant color and abundant wildlife, even during the hottest days of summer. As a native garden matures, it becomes richer in beauty, biodiversity, and seasonal interest. At the same time, the gardener's perspective evolves—shifting from focusing on plants to appreciating the relationships between native plants, birds, pollinators, and the entire ecosystem. In this episode, I share what is growing in the garden in July. Also, how both the garden and the gardener continue to grow together over the years.
Native plants mentioned in this episode
- Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)
- Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
- Gregg's Dalea (Dalea greggii)
- Hairy Five Eyes (Chamaesaracha sordida )
- Rock Penstemon (Penstemon baccharifolius)
- Blanketflower (Gaillardia )
- Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata)
- Chocolate Daisy (Berlandiera lyrata)
- Scarlet Hedgenettle (Stachys coccinea)
- Woolly Butterfly Bush (Buddleja marrubiifolia)
- Mexican Elder/Mexican Elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. cerulea)
- Wild Tobacco (Nicotiana )
- Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana)
Wildlife mentioned in this episode
- Tarantula Hawk Wasps (Pepsis spp. and Hemipepsis spp.)
- Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre)
- Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps)
- Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)
- Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
- Tiger Whiptail lizard /Western Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris)