Grasses
The City of El Mirage used these fountaingrass plantings along some of their streets. Although it is a lovely grass, fountaingrass is a non-native species of grass in Arizona. It is native to Africa and was introduced into Arizona for landscaping purposes. It has since spread throughout wild areas in southern Arizona. They compete with native species for nutrients in the soil, for sunlight, and for moisture, and can cause dramatic changes to the natural landscape.
Grasses
Deer grass: Native species. This row of deer grass at El Mirage Park is an example of a good use of native grasses for urban desert landscaping. Deer grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) is a dependable ornamental grass for the Valley, adapting to many different uses in gardens and landscaping. It grows rapidly and becomes thick and lush in full sun, even doing well in high-heat reflective exposures, and in shade. It grows to about 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide and is drought-tolerant. In the fall, the plant grows long, thin green flower spikes. These spikes dry and weather to a tan color, giving the plant a lovely “halo” look. Deer grass is recommended for use in Valley gardens and landscaping.
Grasses
This lawn is a mixture of Bermuda grass and Arizona fescue, aka Arizonica. Bermuda grass has long been a staple for lawns in the Valley. But it has been established as an invasive, non-native plant in Arizona. It competes with native plants for survival, and it is the leading cause of hay fever in our Southwestern deserts. Fescue, on the other hand, is native to the U.S., and is hardy in heat or shade. It is drought tolerant but is not invasive or threatening to grass species native to Arizona. Fescue or rye grass (a close relative of fescue) is recommended for cooler-weather lawns.
Margaret Francis
Posted: Sunday, September 22, 2013 9:15 am
Your West Valley
Grasses go native
Grasses are wonderful additions to our gardens and yards. The numerous ornamental varieties that are native to our Valley deserts are generally large and hardy and easy to find at your local nursery. They are perennial evergreens that grow rapidly. There are also grasses good for use as lawns in our desert Valley of the Sun.
The tall ornamental grasses can be planted in the ground or grown in pots. Their height and fullness give a lush look to our gardens. These plants also provide graceful movement amongst our flowers, rocks and trees. Grasses invite birds and other garden critters to come for shade and food. Many of these grasses grow very large and can be depended upon to fill empty spaces in our gardens with flair. They will also stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
Ornamental grasses for the desert are hardy, drought tolerant and easy to care for. I highly recommend them for any garden or yard. Plant them behind flowers or around accent stones. Plant them against walls and posts, in corners or on raised areas. Grasses can also be used to surround a patio or sitting area for privacy.
When considering growing ornamental grasses or lawns, all Arizonans are encouraged to make sure they use only native grasses in their gardens and yards. Non-native grasses that begin as ornamentals in yards are finding their way into wild areas of the state and are greatly damaging the delicate ecosystems so vital to the health of our state’s unique native plants.
Arizona is the third-most biodiverse state in the U.S. These non-native species are such a threat to Arizona’s natural habitats that a number of concerned groups around the state are encouraging the public to learn about native and non-native species before planting new grasses in gardens. For information about native and non-native plants in Arizona, here are a few of the 35 or so groups who can help:
• Arizona Native Plant Society, based in Tucson
• Desert Survivors, a non-profit organization based in Tucson; see a complete list of native grasses on their website
• Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, in Tucson
• Nature Conservancy in Arizona
• University of Arizona Desert Laboratory
• Margaret Francis lives in Sun City.
Sponsored by:
Posted in
Columns
on
Sunday, September 22, 2013 9:15 am.
Speak Your Mind