Plant Picks 2

    This week for my Plant Picks I have chosen Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) and Rugosa Rose. These two plants are on the Utah Water Wise list and easy to find at most nurseries and home improvement stores. They flourish in our climate, providing color and interesting texture to a landscape.

     Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) is a perennial with a daisy like head that comes in bright shades of pink, yellow, red, and orange. They are drought tolerant needing to be watered only once a month after established. They get 8"-12" tall and wide and are zones 2-10. They bloom from later spring to frost if deadheaded. They make a colorful addition to a water wise landscape. http://www.waterwiseplants.utah.gov/default.asp?p=PlantInfo&Plant=167&Cart=

   Rugosa Rose is a flowering shrub that is covered with simple formed flowers and comes white, pink, red, and lavender.  They get 4'-8' tall and 4'-6' wide and are zones 3-8. This shrub provides color and textural interest throughout the growing season with flowers from spring to fall, tomato colored hips in the fall and verdant green textured leaves. It is drought tolerant and only needs to be watered once a month after established. I will be planting the white variety of these roses with Lilac and Mock Orange in the flowering shrub hedge that will follow the East and West fence lines.  They will make a great addition to a water wise landscape. http://www.waterwiseplants.utah.gov/default.asp?p=PlantInfo&Plant=328&Cart=