September 2011

Shrubs in the common area landscape set the theme of the community. Choosing shrubs of different sizes, colors and on different bloom cycles is critical to keeping the community looking alive in every season. With the right shrubs, your common areas will have color and diversity all year. Below a few recommendations:

	Texas Sage - Leucophyllum frutescens Texas Sage tend to be hardy down to 10 degrees, so fall is a great time to get them planted. Plan on a mature size of 5x5 and purple blooms in the summer to fall. Sages are native to the Chihuahuan desert and require little irrigation water and can sustain full and reflective sun planting locations.
	Feather Cassia - Cassia artemisiodes Feather Cassias can provide some winter color to your landscape with their yellow flowers that bloom in late winter. This plant is usually a pretty quick grower and matures at about 6´ x 6´. Cassias require low water use and because of their desert origins, tolerate areas of full and reflective sun.
	Valentine Bush - Eremophila maculate A winter bloomer, this plant produces vibrant red flowers in late winter when it is not regularly sheared. Mature size is about 4x5. This plant does require a little more water than Sage and Cassia, and works well in full sun locations.
	Outback Sunrise - Eremophila prostrate This groundcover plant will spread wider and lower than the options listed above. Plant Outback Sunrise in full to partial sun locations and ensure the soil drains well to prevent over watering. Expect each plant to spread 6´ to 15´ and yellow trumpeted shaped flowers in the spring and early summer.

To learn more about common area planting, request a proposal for plant installation or common areas maintenance, or learn more about DLC Resources, email Rebecca Herro (RebeccaH@dlcresources.com).

For more planting recommendations and information on desert landscape, check out Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert by the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AZMUA).

Tree Replacement >

Winter Annuals >