by 505 Outside | Aug 2, 2018 | Turf
Full Sun
Medium Water
Mature Size: 3- 8”
This native prairie grass is an excellent replacement for water thirsty Kentucky Bluegrass. Buffalo Grass doesn’t tolerate a lot of shade, but when grown in a sunny location it forms a durable turf able to withstand moderate foot traffic, pests and diseases. It is a robust, sod forming species that spreads quickly with vigorous runners, creating an inviting soft blue green lawn. When dormant in late fall through spring it turns a soft beige color. Buffalo Grass requires minimal mowing and fertilizing once in spring. It’s a warm season grower perfectly adapted to central New Mexico. To stay green in the hot summer months, this grass needs only two inches of water per month! Buffalo Grass grows quickly. It can be planted using seed or “plugs” of starter plants. Seed should be sown in the spring or early summer; plugs can be planted in spring or in the fall, four to eight weeks before the first expected frost date. Once established, you’ll enjoy a beautiful, low-maintenance lawn with drastically lower water bills for years to come. Buffalo Grass grows best on heavier soils. Use Blue Grama on sandy soils or mix Buffalo Grass and Blue Grama.
by 505 Outside | Aug 2, 2018 | Turf
Full Sun
Low Water
Mature Size: 4-12”
Blue Grama is another warm season grass that thrives in New Mexico. Its thin pale green blades give a Blue Grama lawn a pleasing, fine texture. Its distinctive seed heads, which appear in mid to late summer, resemble tiny purplish eyelashes. Blue Grama thrives in hot microclimates, and it’s tough enough to survive subzero winter weather. It establishes most quickly in well drained soil. A dense lawn of Blue Grama will need watering only about once a week during the hottest summer months. Blue Grama establishes itself faster than Buffalo Grass, so the two species are often combined to quickly form a thick, drought-tolerant lawn.
by 505 Outside | Aug 2, 2018 | Groundcovers
Full Sun
Rainwater Only
Mature Size: 4”X 6”
Blooming Season: Summer
Flower Color: Yellow
This diminutive wildflower thrives in some of the most inhospitable terrain imaginable. This plant can be a challenge to get established, but it will delight you with its bright yellow flowers in late summer. Prairie Zinnia is long lived and spreads slowly by rhizomes. This plant has interesting needle like foliage on trailing stems. It won’t green up until early summer arrives, so be patient. Once it starts to bloom it’s colorful through summer and early autumn.
by 505 Outside | Aug 2, 2018 | Groundcovers
Full Sun, Part Shade
Medium Water
Mature Size: 3”X 18”
Blooming Season: Early Spring
Flower Color: Blue
Speedwell is unique because of its dense growing wooly gray green foliage. The 4-inch-tall spikes of deep blue flowers with a white eye appear in early spring usually a few weeks before Veronica liwanensis. A good rebloomer in late summer when given encouragement with a bit of extra water. A very vigorous, long bloomer when planted into good garden soils enriched with compost.
by 505 Outside | Aug 2, 2018 | Groundcovers
Full Sun
Medium Water
Mature Size: 9”X 18”
Blooming Season: Summer
Flower Color: Lavender to Red
Verbena is a vigorous spreading ground cover. Extensive trials across the U. S. have proven its value as a heat-loving, profuse- blooming favorite. The large bright lavender-purple flower clusters keep coming all summer. Let it go dry as fall comes to a close to harden off for winter. Makes a colorful foundation for taller growing perennials like Achillea “Moonshine” and Coreopsis “Sunray.”
