Heavenly Bamboo/Nandina

So you may see a theme this week:)  That's right....I'm presenting shrubs from my garden journal.  From all the plants covered in my series, the shrubs are some of the hardiest and best lived plants in the desert that require almost absolutely zero maintenance once established.  Most of these require some sort of pruning, but other than that, they do well with or without that extra watering.  Nandina, or Heavenly Bamboo, is a lush and green bush that is a great plant to use in either repetition or sporadically throughout the garden as a reoccurring  plant.  At El Presidio, it's used in our northern borders as a hedge and in our courtyard as a green background to accent the focal plants.  Here are some tips on pruning because I think it's important.  It can grow slowly at first so be patient.  But once it gets going, there's no holding this beast back.  It loves a springtime haircut and will get bushier. If you want a lush and tropical green look, make sure you include this plant in your landscape.  It stays green all year round.  During winter, it will turn purplish under extreme cold temps.  It will develop red berries that birds eat.  Sticking with Cathy Bishop.....here is her write on this amazing plant.....

"What is green and bushy and red all over? The answer is one of my favorite plants – heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica). Not a bamboo at all (and I’m not so sure why it’s heavenly), this is one of the greatest no-prune, low-care shrubs of all time! There are numerous varieties, each with its own characteristics, and once you have chosen the correct one for the place you intend to plant, the hard part is pretty much over. The most important characteristic to start with is how big do you want it to become. If you want to screen out the view of your neighbor’s yard from your patio – go for the original Nandina domestica. This will easily become 5 feet tall or more and dense enough that you will never see into the next yard again. If the purpose is a foundation planting that will never edge above the window sills, then Nadina domestica compacta is the right plant for the job. There are a couple of splendid groundcover Nandinas – Harbor Dwarf and Harbor Belle – that will make a neat, carefree 18-inch planting. The next characteristic of importance has to do with their gorgeous winter coloration. This is where the entire genus really shines as they are one of very few plants that turn intense russet, scarlet or burgundy for the winter and then revert to green in the spring without losing a single leaf to do it. Some of the finest cultivars have turned this into an art. The cultivar Gulf Stream becomes sizzling scarlet, Moon Bay is a rich plum shade, Plum Passion is the darkest burgundy and Sienna Sunrise is perfect autumn henna. These are all varieties that are grown by tissue culture. Their color will be uniform throughout the series. If you like a tad more mystery and a bit more of the hands of nature in your plantings, the species domestica and compacta will give you a blend of all of these colors in a mix of the plants.  No matter which variety you choose, they are all easy-to-grow plants, with moderate water and nutrient demands. You will have virtually no pruning to do if you pick one that is the correct height for your desired use. " End of article.  Source: http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2006/11/10/32001-low-care-no-prune-bamboo-heavenly-idea/

Spring Cleanup

Peach Tree, Red Baron, blooming

El Presidio Gardens

Ash Tree Where do I begin? Over the past several days a lot has gone on in the Presidio gardens. Spring is now officially here!! Or so say the trees and bushes:) Our ash tree has new leaves. Yesterday there was NOTHING on the tree. Today, there are signs of life all around from the ash tree to our crape myrtle trees. This is exciting because they are just sticks in the ground and with that little bit of green begins that joy gardeners feel when they see that the garden resting period is over. How tall will a tree grow this year? How many buds will it have? The flowers? Nothing, and I really do mean this, is more exciting than spring and seeing your garden awake. So today it begins on my very appropriate "spring break".

For inspiration today and design ideas, I went to the Tucson zoo. While it's not large like the big city zoos, it still has a nice layout for the animals. One of the things I find fascinating about the gardens at the zoo is that there are VERY LARGE bamboo plants all over which gives the zoo a bigger feel and provides privacy for the animals. Here in Tucson, we are able to grow several types of bamboo which include the Alfonse Kerr Bamboo. On the Presidio grounds, I have planted the Buddha's Belly variety because of the way the culms bulge out during times of stress. At the zoo, there were bamboo specimens taller than the trees themselves.....at least 4 stories high. I sat at the park bench and just watched and listened to how the wind blew through the culms making that hollow wood rubbing sound. It is really quite lovely and I highly recommend it for everyone if an opportunity arises. Another tree that I don't see here in Tucson often is the Silk Tree which has thorns on its' bark. These trees were mixed in with the bamboo and offered a really nice contrast with one another. If you do go to the zoo, head towards the South American entrance first and you'll find this private and beautiful section very inspiring.

Speaking of bamboo, which is not really bamboo at all, is the Nandina or Heavenly Bamboo. On the Presidio grounds we have several "bushes" of these lush plants. But as with every year, comes that painful trimming. I trimmed everyone of those bushes and it was difficult as they provide a lot of privacy. Now some of them look like sticks in the ground....but I know they will come back green and fuller than ever.....they just don't look so great right now.

Our live oaks which are very large and amazing (the whole reason why we bought our place.) are starting to lose their leaves. You see most trees drop their leaves in fall and winter, but not these lovely trees. They decide to drop in March. When I say drop, I mean DROP. Thousands of leaves all over the patio/courtyard....I just cleaned it yesterday!! And if you think that's bad, wait until the pollen drop....what an ugly mess!!! Acorns, leaves, and pollen...extremely messy tree but also a very noble tree that has earned its' right to protect us from the desert sun:)

Finally with our winter rains, weeds have had a blast establishing themselves all around the grounds. I spent several days pulling weeds and more still seem to be popping up!! Roses have buds on them...once the flowers are on the bushes, I'll snap a couple photos. I can't wait to see what happens. It's the first rose garden I have planted and I named it after my favorite librarian at the school where I work. She inspired me with her own rose garden. During April, she brings in all of her rosebuds and puts them on the desk for the students and staff to smell. Every color and every smell....I hope to have created the same feel on our grounds. That's all for today....spring is here folks in the Southwest!! Happy gardening!