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Top 3 insects found in El Paso
1) Fire Ants
2)Viceroy Butterfly
3) Carpenter Bees

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What insects live in the desert? How do insects survive in the desert?

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Recognized for species diversity the garden inhabits more than 700 species

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The University of Texas at El Paso's Chihuahuan Desert Gardens is a participant in the Lark Label Loves Gardens Sweepstakes that continues through the end of August.

The garden, which boasts more than 700 species of plant life over 1.5 acres, is among nine specialty public gardens from around the country in the competition.

The garden that earns the most online votes will receive $1,000 in signage from the event sponsor, Lark Label Co. of Wichita, Kansas.

The Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, which surrounds UTEP's Centennial Museum, was dedicated in 1999. It is likely the country's only garden that promotes plants from the northern Chihuahuan desert, said John White, the gardens' lead curator.

"That's what makes us unique," said White, who added that organizers picked the finalists from a list of 40 nominees.

People can vote once per day via this link. The contest began August 1 and ends on the 31st.

For more information about UTEP's Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, visit their website.

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UTEP's Chihuahuan Desert Gardens in National Competition | El Paso Herald-Post

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The garden, which boasts more than 700 species of plant life over 1.5 acres, is among nine specialty public gardens from around the country in the competition. The garden that earns the most online votes will receive $1,000 in signage from the event sponsor, Lark Label Co. of Wichita, Kansas.

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1) Lots of rocks
2) Temperature: Mostly dry
More on El Paso weather and its impact on our environment

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As of 2 December, 2019 @ 4:51 pm EST
(48 Minutes Ago)

Scattered Clouds

Sunrise/Set
08:49 am
07:01 pm

Local Time 5:38 pm EST

2 December, 2019

429 Too Many Requests You (or your application) are issuing too many requests and have been throttled. Please reduce the amount of traffic.
As of 7:00 pm 11/29/99 EST

Forecast data from The Norwegian Meteorological Institute; Current conditions data from the National Weather Service
All historical data and normals © Weatherbase

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El Paso, Texas Travel Weather Averages (Weatherbase)

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As of 2 December, 2019 @ 4:51 pm EST(48 Minutes Ago) Scattered Clouds Sunrise/Set 08:49 am 07:01 pm Local Time 5:38 pm EST 2 December, 2019 429 Too Many Requests You (or your application) are issuing too many requests and have been throttled. Please reduce the amount of traffic.

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1) Is known as Silty Loam Clay
2) Irrigation system plays a big role in soil quality. Water for irrigation comes from the Rio Grande and Elephant Bute
3) Soil in El Paso as well as surrounding states, the soil goes through certain phases where texture and characteristics may change over time therefore giving room for other species to grow

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Also known as the Baja Red
1) Usually found in Baja California which is why it is known as the Baja Red
2) Similar to California, El Paso have similar soil contents which is usually sand soils or the soil has few minerals
3) The reason they are able to grow in this climate is because they don't require much water or sunlight
4) This plant species usually dies in the winter but blooms in the spring again. The one I saw was unfortunately dead.

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Antigonon leptopus 'Baja Red' | plant lust

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This is the selection with the deepest red color comes from seed collected in southern Baja California. It flowers all summer and fall. It dies to the ground in winter but faithfully returns from the ground each spring. An easy to grow and drought tolerant heirloom plant.

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Also known as the Dotted Blazing Star
1) Grows in bunches along the stem (the one I saw did not have that many bunches)
2) Can grow up to 1 to 2 feet
3) Is able to grow in sand soils

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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Liatris punctata

Liatris punctata Hook.

Dotted Blazing Star, Dotted Gayfeather, Dotted Liatris

USDA Symbol: lipu

The erect, unbranched stems of this perennial may be solitary but are usually in clusters, 1-2 ft. tall.Several stems bear narrow, crowded heads with rose-lavender flowers arranged in slender wands. Numerous narrow leaves are crowded along the stem as they intermingle with the tufted flowers. Disk flowers crowd together to form a lavender spike encompassing the top third or half of the stem.

Rayless heads of purple flowers and slender, often plume-like bristles on the fruits generally identify this complex genus of the East that barely extends into the West.

The species name punctata means dotted and refers to the speckled leaves.

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Well-drained, sandy, calcareous soils.
Conditions Comments: A long taproot makes this the most drought-tolerant of the gayfeathers. A bushier plant is formed if it is cut back or mowed during the growing season. This is a long-lived plant that is tolerant of alkaline soils.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: This plant makes an excellent cut flower and, if cut at the beginning of its bloom, will retain its purple color and make an excellent dry flower for arrangements. Gay feather is also a good choice for container gardens.
Use Wildlife: Liatris spp. attract butterflies.
Use Medicinal: Pulverized roots eaten to improve appetite. Powdered entire plant for tea for heart pains. Boiled root applied to swellings. Tea for stomachache, bladder and kidney problems.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Description: Scarified seeds may be sown outside in late fall or stored, stratified and sown the following spring. Some sources suggest spring seedlings will appear by simply laying the flowering stalk in an outdoor seedbed and covering with 1/2 in. of soil in the fall. Gay feather can also be established by dividing corms in late fall to early spring. Lift the mature clump and separate the corms with a sharp knife: replant and water thoroughly. Allow 2 feet between plants in a perennial border.
Seed Collection: Wait until the flower heads on the entire stalk have turned fluffy tan before collecting. Bring the stalks inside to air-dry then shake or brush the nutlets from the heads. Seeds can be stored with chaff in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Scarification (lightly nick with knife) and stratification (3 months at 40 degrees).
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Staking the stems will keep the flower spikes from falling over. A moist, fertile soil may cause a plant to develop long, slender spikes which flop over. They sometimes can be prevented from falling over by keeping the plant dry in July and August. Volunteer plants can be limited by cutting stalks to the ground after the bloom fades. New stalks grow in the spring.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin

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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center focused on protecting and preserving North America's native plants through native plant lists and image galleries, conservation, education, natural landscapes, seed collection - Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) Project, preserving and restoring native communities, spreading awareness on invasive species and gardening to attract wildlife.

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One of the most prominent plants that I saw was the Rock Rose
1) Grow up to 4 feet (a few were pretty tall while others were a bit short)
2) Is grown in various colors (the many I saw were a pinkish purple)
3)Grows in dry and rocky soils

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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Flaigg, Norman G.

Pavonia lasiopetala

Pavonia lasiopetala Scheele

Rock Rose, Rose Pavonia, Rose Mallow, Pavonia

Synonym(s): Pavonia wrightii

USDA Symbol: pala13

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A small shrub, usually woody at the base only, with stems up to 4 feet tall. Found in shallow soil on limestone, in rocky places in woodlands, and at the edges of thickets. Leaves with petioles sometimes as long as the blade; blade up to 2 1/2 inches long, but mostly shorter, ovate to 3 lobed, with a pointed or blunt tip, flat or slightly lobed base, coarsely toothed or wavy margins, dark green on the upper surface and lighter on the lower. Flowers showy, rose colored, roughly 1 1/2 inches wide with a yellow column formed by the pistil and stamens, appearing from spring to fall. Fruit a 5-lobed capsule with remnants of the flower at its base, separating into 5 units at maturity.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: In TX, from Edwards Plateau through Rio Grande Plains to adjacent Mex.
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky woods and slopes. Pastures, Savannas, Ditches, Ravines, Depressions Open woodlands.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Prefers well-drained, limestone soils. Also Medium Loam Rocky, Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type.
Conditions Comments: Herbaceous stems rise from a woody base. Pink hibiscus-like flowers. Velvety, scalloped leaves. The flowers attract hummingbirds.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Pavonia makes an excellent choice for landscaping. Able to survive the summer heat, its profusion of brilliant flowers adds a colorful touch to a dry landscape. Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Easily grown, Perennial garden.
Use Wildlife: Nectar-butterflies, Nectar-moths, Hummingbirds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Softwood Cuttings
Description: Sow and lightly cover seed with soil. Pavonia can also be propagated from softwood tip cuttings. Take cuttings in spring before plant starts to bloom, or on nursery plants kept cut back. Cuttings with big buds or blooms are at a disadvantage. They root and grow fast in hot weather. Cut a stem three to six inches long, just below the node. Remove all but the top leaves and place in vermiculite.
Seed Collection: Seeds can be collected from the capsule when it turns brown, but before it becomes dry and splits. Spread in thin layers to thoroughly air-dry. Dust with Sevin dust and store in ventilated containers at room temperature. Will remain viable up to two years.
Seed Treatment: Germination may be staggered due to differences in seed coat thickness. More uniform germination rates may be achieved by first soaking the seeds in hot water.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Cut back the shrub each year to encourage bushy growth. It may tend to become leggy during the growing season, so additional pruning may be necessary. Water intermittently to ensure blooming. Mildew is unavoidable - sometimes more sun seems to make it go away, sometimes not.

Mr. Smarty Plants says

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin

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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center focused on protecting and preserving North America's native plants through native plant lists and image galleries, conservation, education, natural landscapes, seed collection - Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) Project, preserving and restoring native communities, spreading awareness on invasive species and gardening to attract wildlife.

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List of all plant species in the gardens 

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List of all plant species in the gardens 

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Every April, the Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens hosts "FloraFEST," a two-day sale featuring thousands of native plants. The event began more than 20 years ago to provide customers an opportunity to purchase native plants and promote responsible ecology and water conservation.