Go wild for wildflowers in Santa Fe’s high-desert climate
This time of year, the rhythm of the quiet desert has shifted to a busy pace as tourists fill the streets and city gardens spill over in louder shades of softer textures. Fall’s famous aspens may be a big attraction for painters and photographers, but never discount what’s underneath the canopy during the summer months. From jewel-toned annuals like petunias, salvias and cosmos brimming from area window boxes and planters, to majestic perennials like phlox, red hot pokers and hummingbird mint spiking up in gardens all over Northern New Mexico, the scene has become a little wilder and a lot more alive as the temperatures rise.
The high-desert climate is infamous for its inhospitable soil, yet it has been known to make an exception for certain plants, given that proper nutrients are added. Savvy gardeners have figured out what works and what doesn’t and that adding compost and organic matter can increase soil’s water-holding capacity. Some non-natives have even learned to adapt to the high altitude and arid soil, but this is an area where one needs to tread lightly. By introducing exotic or foreign plants to our microclimate, you may also be introducing diseases and pests that can affect our local and native plants. The best bet when in doubt? Go native.
Perfectly manicured gardens are best left for cities where there are no water restrictions. This is where xeriscape and drought-resistant plants tags come in handy. If you are lucky enough to have protected and shady areas in your garden, you can experiment with a few more varieties like ground covers and shade dwellers. But if you are like most Santa Fe residents, you may only have full sun areas in your garden, which means you will have to pick plants that can handle the harsh elements that come with living at higher elevations. But don’t worry, there’s plenty to choose from. Just remember that you want to fill in space and once you pick the right plant, nature will take its course.
There are over a hundred varieties of hearty, drought-tolerant plants and flowers that do
very well in Santa Fe’s grow zone (6a-6b). If your goal is to have plants that spread out, the key is to buy several quantities of the same plant to ensure they will take. Good perennial choices include Achillea (yarrow), Aquilegia (columbine), Agastache (hummingbird mint), Asclepias (butterfly weed), aster, blue flax, buttercups, Campanula (clustered bellflower, Canterbury bells and cup-and-saucer bellflower), chamomile, Dianthus (sweet William), Delphinium, Digitalis (foxglove — flowers appear in the second year), Echinacea, forget-me-nots (good for rocky niches), Gaillardia (blanket flower), gooseneck loosestrife (can be invasive), Gypsophilia, Helianthus (sunflowers), heliotrope, hollyhocks, ice plant, iris (Siberian and bearded), lavender, Liatris, Lathyrus (sweet peas), lupine, phlox, poppies (Iceland/Oriental), Plumbago, red hot poker, red yucca, Shasta daisies, sedum, tiger lilies and Viola (Johnny jump-ups).
Popular annuals for high elevations — like Amaranthus, bachelor buttons, California poppies, Celosia, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Dahlias, larkspur, marigolds, gladiolus, petunia, salvia, snapdragons and zinneas — are wonderful choices for a cutting garden.
Not all of these are wild, but thanks to the wind and our winged creatures, many of these seeds travel long distances and flowers can show up in unexpected places. Hollyhocks are infamous for this. It is not unusual to see them in sidewalk cracks and in arroyos, which has become part of their charm. Flax and asters are also known travelers that can show up and thrive in disturbed environments. In addition to their adaptability to the high-desert climate, many of these local and native plants are great attractors of bees, hummingbirds, butterflies and bats.
So, if you love the look of a full and lush garden but came from a lusher place, adjust your perspective a bit and go for a walk on the wild side. There is truly nothing prettier than a field of wildflowers. Many of these plants can be incorporated into structured gardens as well. Just know they will spread to create their own identity.
All plants listed may be found at local nurseries like Agua Fría, Plants of the Southwest, Newman’s and Payne’s. For more plant suggestions, just ask their staffs; they are very knowledgeable on regional options and very helpful to newcomers. Bob at Aqua Fría Nursery is a walking native plant encyclopedia. Carole Langrall has been in the floriculture industry, from international wholesale and retail sales to event planning, for over 20 years. She has floral studios in Santa Fe and Baltimore, was a Santa Fe Master Gardener, and supports local/national flower farms and beautification projects. She is available for demonstrations and lectures. Contact her at clangrall@gmail.com or visit www.flowerspy.com.