For Arizona’s Mid and High Elevations

WHAT TO PLANT
(Mid and High Elevations)
Perennials—Transplant butterfly milkweed, columbine, evening primrose, goldenrod, hummingbird mint, penstemon, prairie zinnia, spreading phlox (Phlox diffusa), scarlet gilia, western wallflower and yarrow. All are well-adapted to a wide range of elevations and attract butterflies or hummingbirds. Water perennial transplants every three to four weeks in winter if the ground is not frozen or precipitation is scant.
Bulbs—Plant traditional spring bloomers such as crocus, daffodil and grape hyacinth. In mid elevations, add lesser-known bulbs adapted to sunny arid climates, such as drought-tolerant oxblood lily and lycoris. Scilla peruviana showcases bright-blue flowers that retain color for dried arrangements. Gardeners at high elevations can try pink lycoris (Lycoris squamigera), also called naked lady, and surprise lily because bulbs unexpectedly send up tall bloom stalks after foliage dies back. The bulb takes desert heat and is also the most cold-tolerant lycoris. Find bulbs at easytogrowbulbs.com.

For wildflower meadows and naturalizing (where plants spread by themselves), seek unusual native bulbs such as blue dicks (Dichelostemma), wild nodding onions (Allium) and western blue flag iris (Iris missouriensis) at local botanical garden sales or specialty growers such as californianativebulbs.com or telosrarebulbs.com.
Vegetables—Sow seeds for such fast-growing cool-season crops as carrot, kale, leaf lettuce, radish and spinach.

GARDEN MAINTENANCE
(High Elevations)
Mulch—Prepare for winter by spreading 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch around shrubs and trees. Keep mulch away from trunks and stems. Mulching maintains warmer soil temperatures for continued root growth during fall and reduces frost heave, which forces roots out of the ground, in winter.

(Mid and High Elevations)
Tree and shrub scouting—Be on the lookout for plants with striking autumn foliage, seeds or berries. Add their names to your plant wish list to research mature size and other characteristics required for your landscape.
Reinvigorate perennial beds—Perennials that benefit from dividing every few years include aster, bee balm, daylily, hosta, iris, phlox and yarrow. Stepping on garden beds compacts soil, so avoid walking there as much as possible. Dig a circle around each plant with a spade or garden fork, and lift the entire root ball. Set plants in the shade and sprinkle roots with water to prevent drying. Spread 4 to 6 inches of compost on the bed, turn it under, and rake smooth. Divide perennial clumps by pulling apart with your hands or cutting through roots with a sharp knife. Each new division should have roots and a portion of the crown or top growth. Discard dead plant material.

Mix a phosphorus fertilizer in the bottom of each planting hole to promote blooming. Transplant perennial sections at the same depth in which they were previously growing. Moisten thoroughly after planting, and top off with 3 inches of organic mulch to maintain warm soil temperatures for fall root growth.