Q: I am looking for a list of ground covers that grow and cover rapidly and that survive desert winters.
A: Here are a few ideas from the “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” publication from AMWUA.org. All are hardy to at least 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fast Growth:
- Trailing acacia (Acacia redolens) β Look for the prostrate form.
- Trailing desert broom (Baccharis hybrid) β Look for non-seeding selections.
- Bush morning gory (Convolvulus cneorum).
- Saltillo primrose (Oenothera stubbei).
Moderate Growth:
- Trailing dalea (Dalea greggii) — Also try Dalea capitata.
- Trailing gazania (Gazania rigens) — look for a variety of flower and foliage colors.
- Tufted evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa).
- Trailing rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) ‘Prostratus.’
- Creeping germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) “prostratum.”
- Find the entire publication online at amwua.org .
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Email: plwarren@cals. arizona.edu
