Harlow Gardens Newsletter

Issue 38                                                                                              June 2008

Summer Superstars
'Gold Star'
'Baja Fairy Duster'
'Red Yucca'
Quick Links
Red Yucca
hesperaloe
HARLOW GARDENS
5620 E. PIMA ST.
TUCSON, AZ 85712
520-298-3303
 
Greetings!

San Juan's Day is June 24. As a tradition, many people on this day come together to celebrate San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist), bless their crops, and pray for rain and relief to come to the desert. Although we're often just teased this early in the season with a smattering of clouds and a little humidity, the familiar question begins to circulate: Think it'll rain soon? So in the midst of the summer heat with temps already climbing to 110, don't get too discouraged as you toss yet another plant into the compost bin, and read on for some true summer star performers.
'GOLD STAR'
Tecoma stans 
 
Tecoma stansTecoma stans 'Gold Star' comes highly recommended by the Texas A&M Agricultural Program. It is a wonderful plant that is very heat-tolerant and produces an abundance of bright yellow flowers in April through October. It grows quickly to 4' tall and wide and can be used beautifully in mass plantings or as an accent plant. It loves full sun but accepts reflected heat, is hardy to 20 degrees F, and is highly resistant to pests. To encourage new growth, cut this plant back annually. And remember, if it doesn't say GOLD STAR, it isn't a Tecoma stans 'Gold Star.' If yellow's not your color, however, ask for the Tecoma hybrid 'Sierra Apricot.' This plant is as hardy as the 'Gold Star' and with similar features, but the flowers are an unusually beautiful shade of apricot.
'BAJA FAIRY DUSTER'
Calliandra californica 
 
fairy dusterThis Baja California native is an open, vase-shaped shrub that is highly drought-tolerant and semi-evergreen in Tucson. Calliandra blooms year-round with the showiest display during the spring and through the fall. It will bloom even more if given supplemental water during the hot summer months. The outstanding flowers are sure to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, always a plus! Calliandra californica can be used as an accent or specimen plant or in informal hedges. It is hardy to 20 degrees F, a slow grower reaching 4-6' tall and wide, performs well in full sun or filtered shade, and is highly pest resistant--you can't go wrong!
'RED YUCCA' 
'Hesperaloe parviflora' 
 
Hesperaloe2This evergreen shrub is commonly seen planted in the medians and along roadsides here in town. Don't be fooled by the name, however, because this "yucca" is actually a succulent native to Texas and Mexico. It is a sun lover, highly drought- and wind-tolerant, and deer resistant. Some folks choose to remove the spent flower stalks (try them in a dried floral arrangement), but removing them is not necessary making this plant virtually maintenance-free! Inverted bell-shaped flowers spring forth from the center of the grasslike mound of leaves in the spring and continue blooming throughout the summer. The flowers are also highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. Mature size for Hesperaloe is 3' wide x 3' tall, and they are hardy to 12 degrees F.
 
On a final note this month, don't forget your hats! Protect your skin (and be stylish, too!) with one of our many attractive sun hats from Sunday Afternoons, San Diego Hat Co., and Tula. We have a wonderful selection. And for added peace of mind, did you know that many hats come with an SPF factor?
 
Need gift ideas or wanting to "go green"? Pair a hat with a walking stick, stylish straw carryall bag, or one of our many other reusable totes. 
 
Come in from the heat and visit our ultra cool Gift Shop to find all of these items and much, much more!
Catch Harlow's own DEBBIE MOUNCE on the Channel 4 News at 4 p.m.
as the 5-MINUTE GARDENER.
 
UPCOMING EPISODES:
Thursday, June 19: "How to Cool Your House in Summer With Plants" 
Thursday, July 3: "How (or if) to Water Your Plants During Monsoon Season"