is Ruella or Mexican petunia. After two years testing, it has proven itself one of the winners. Its original form, does invasive spreading by underground roots and seeds, but dammit, worth it. Its flowers are various shades of lavender and pink, and do resemble a small flowering petunia. In the sun, with ample water, their three foot tall plants with broad dark bronze green leaves are spectacular daily. Blooming less in shade, nevertheless, they adapt and multiply. The ones in the sun, watered daily are covered up and down the plants in a cascade of blooms. Meanwhile a dwarf type, available in pink or lavender, doesnt get so tall, merely 12 to 18 inches and isnt as invasive. Two year old plants evolve from single flowers to crowns of many flowers certainly refreshing in desert heat. No special soil for either, just water faithfully, daily. They do have problems with whiteflys, but using a canola oil solution has nearly solved all of my garden insecticidal problems. Put in 1/4 cup of canola oil to at least a quart container of water, shake to mix. Apply to plants with a squeeze type bottle.
I simply dont need poisenous insecticides except on rare occasions. At nurseries can be found, various varieties of Ruella. An excellent plant for flowers in the desert in your garden. TWO: Mexican Primrose (Onerthera) grows about 18 inches tall, and once established wickedly spreads by underground seedlings with enthusiasm. It has masses of shell pink flowers, with yellow pistil centers, a buttercup flower, it attracts hummingbirds. Once established, it can go long periods without a lot of water, But if supplied, flourishes and rewards with wonderful masses of its flowers for a long period of time. Needs no special care, whatsoever, except, if it stops blooming, trim it all the way to ground, and it will begin all over again. THREE: Silver Trailing Gazania: From Africa, there are bunch types of this plant in glorious riotius colors. This particular one has bright single yellow flowers and silver foliage. It spreads rapidly, and is a great groundcover. Planted with the above Mexican Primrose, they would be a battle of contrast. Again no special care or soil needed. WHAT A GLORIOUS DESERT< WE WOULD HAVE IF EVERYONE PLANTED MASSES OF THESE*, along with our other beloved annuals. we do each season. J.B. *For those of you who have evergeen type shrubs, with a water attachment at the base, plant either Two or Three at base of shrub. Its growing wont affect shrub plant and you will add color. Plus as it spreads, it will tie the landscape effect together pleasantly,lovely draping over low walls.
*4/7/05:
A NEW EASY WAY TO GROW VEGETABLES!!
I am apalled, at all the houses, I pass by on the transit, and never see any vegetable growing.
Its so easy, especially, if you use my Reverse French Indonesian Method. You lay out your garden hose in a large oval shape, as large as you wish, 10 feet diameter is good. You then dig out the soil, and slope the sides, good not more than 12 inches ht, if that. the slope inside will reveal a middle depression, in which you will put now and over time, mulching materials. As well as about 2 inches to start on the sloped sides. Watering?, well, you can bury in the slope, an upside down soaker or sprinkler hose, for saturation, with some of it covering middle. Weeds, you can cover all soil with black plastic film, cutting slits on slopes to plant seeds such as lettuce, or carrots, anything that grows under 18 inches ht. In the depression, in the middle, you can plant tomato, or squash, or even melon. But be advised this method will grow super plants, because, water seeks its own level, ah yes, be sure if using plastic film, use pitchfork to put holes in it, especially on lower inside slopes and middle depression. As time goes on, you add mulch and even kitchen wastes in center area. It doesnt hurt to sprinkle area once in a while either. NEXT YEAR, You will have a composted mulch, even if not aged, to dig in and do all over again! The memories of the abundance this method produces will haunt you for years. J.B.
