AZ Concepts LLC

Shrubs

Winter Color Combinations

We often think of winter as a down time for color in the landscape. However, there are numerous desert-adapted plants that provide a wealth of color to our desert gardens during this cooler part of the year. Here are some suggested plant combinations to consider for a colorful winter display.

• Chuparosa (Justicia californica) & Brittle Bush (Encelia farinosa)
These two Arizona native shrubs provide great contrasting color. The bright red flowers of Chuparosa, which attract hummingbirds, provide marked contrast to the brilliant yellow flowers of Brittle Bush.

• Red & Yellow Chuparosa (Justicia californica)
The brilliant red flowers of typical Chuparosa interplanted with its yellow-flowered clone, create a striking combination from early winter through mid-spring.

• Pea Bush (Dalea pulchra) & Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
The Fairy Duster's deep green foliage and pink flowers, which attract hummingbirds, together with the gray foliage and purplish–pink flowers of Pea Bush, an Arizona native, make an excellent combination.

• Lilac Vine (Hardenbergia comptoniana) & Trailing Gazania (Gazana rigens)
The iridescent purple flowers and the deep green of the Australian Lilac Vine contrast well with the gray foliage and yellow flowers of Trailing Gazania.

• Desert Lavender (Hyptis emoryi) & White Plumbago (Plumbago scandens) Plumbago develops a bronze-purple foliage in the winter, offering a great contrast to the soft gray-silver leaves of Desert Lavender.

Although winter is typically thought of as a dormant time for gardens, in Arizona it’s the ideal time to sow some drama and color into your landscape. The outdoor water use section of the Water – Use it Wisely Web site, www.wateruseitwisely.com, provides a wealth of information regarding winter color combinations.

Here in Arizona, winter is an active time for landscaping. It’s also the time to make adjustments to your watering schedule. Make sure to visit the Water – Use it Wisely Web site to determine the proper amount and frequency for watering your plants.

There are numerous desert-adapted plants that provide a wealth of color during the cooler months of the year. As an added bonus, they also attract hummingbirds! Following are just a few suggested plant combinations to consider for a colorful winter display.

Chuparosa and Brittle Bush – These two Arizona native shrubs provide great contrasting color. The bright red flowers of provides a marked contrast to the brilliant yellow flowers of the Brittle Bush.

Red and Yellow Chuparosa – The brilliant red flowers of the typical Chuparosa, interplanted with its yellow-flowered clone, create a striking combination from early winter through mid-spring.

Pea Bush and Fairy Duster – The Fairy Duster’s deep green foliage and pink flowers pairs beautifully with the gray leaves and purplish-pink flowers of the Pea Bush,.

Lilac Vine and Trailing Gazania – The iridescent purple flowers and the deep green of the Australian Lilac Vine contrast well with the gray foliage and yellow flowers of Trailing Gazania.

Desert Lavender and White Plumbago – Plumbago develops a bronze-purple foliage in the winter, offering a great contrast to the soft gray-silver leaves of Desert Lavender.

Purple Prickly Pear and Damianita – During winter, Purple Prickly Pear turns a deep purple color. The intense green foliage and yellow flowers of Damianita, a ground-covering shrub, provide distinctive contrast.

Firecracker Penstemon and Angelita Daisy – The brilliant red Arizona native perennial Firecracker Penstemon, set among the intense yellow flowers of Angelita Daisy, creates a stunning combination.

Firecracker Penstemon and Golden Barrel – The deep yellow of
the Golden Barrel, contrasted with the brilliant red flowers of the Firecracker Penstemon, creates a unique floral and foliage combination.

Firecracker Penstemon and Desert Marigold – The gray foliage and yellow flowers of the Desert Marigold contrast with the green foliage and red flowers of the Firecracker Penstemon.

Aloe and Blue Euphorbia – One of the best early winter color combinations, the brilliant red-orange flowers of the Tree Aloe, a South African leaf succulent, contrast with the outstanding citron-yellow flowers of Blue Euphorbia, a groundcover from the Mediterranean region.

Trees

TREES

Winter months are the quietest months in the garden. Nature seems to take a breather, and we tend to have more time to discover areas that may need attention. If you need some ideas or suggestions for your landscape this winter, contact us for a free consultation and landscaping estimate.

Time to Take Care of Trees

Winter is an excellent time in the greater Phoenix area to take care of your large tree projects. Our certified arborist team has had a busy season pruning trees. We can thin any tree, prune large branches, or grind an old stump that has become an ugly fixture in your yard. Call us for a consultation and free estimate for your tree work.

Plan Ahead for Spring

January and February are great months to plan ahead for spring. There is still a big selection of annual color plants available. Flower gardens need replenishing after colder temperatures. Other gardens and containers can be filled using a variety of annuals. Available plants include pansy, petunia, snapdragon, alyssum, calendulas and cyclamen.

Fertilize Rye Grass Lawns

Rye grass lawns have been depleted of nutrients this winter. With all of the rain, wet conditions, and cold temperatures, they need fertilizer. We are using a great product called Calcium nitrate. This product works better in cooler weather. As soon as the temperatures warm up, lawns should green up dramatically. We currently fertilize all rye grass lawns every 4-6 weeks.

Winter Weeds

Winter rains can create a lot of weed problems in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. After significant rainfall followed by warmer temperatures, we see a lot of unsightly weeds in the landscape. Weeds can be controlled by spraying an herbicide called Roundup. When sprayed effectively, Roundup will kill weeds in 7-10 days. If weed problems are more substantial, we can use a pre-emergent herbicide for total prevention.

Citrus Tree Maintenance

After thorough irrigation of the root zones, we will apply Ammonium phosphate fertilizer to the base of each citrus tree. Trees will be watered again after feeding. When night temperatures are below 28 degrees, citrus trees should be covered with sheets to protect them from frost damage. Frozen growth will be cut back in early spring.

Caring for Roses

In late January and early February, we will begin to prune roses. This will include pruning older gray, woody looking canes. We will cut up to a third of the older canes back to the ground to open up the middle of the rose bush, then remove crossing and rubbing branches. Any old flowers and blackened winter damaged tips will also be pruned. All pruning will be done above an outward-facing bud. Roses should be fertilized in February with a complete fertilizer.

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