I’m pretty convinced that to be a successful gardener in New Mexico, you have to look at all the advice dispensed by popular garden experts – and then do the opposite. There is the obvious problem – the lack of rainfall. But, we have a few other challenges as well. Our springs have always been volatile and it’s not uncommon to get a freak snow storm in late April after a couple weeks in the high 70’s. And then things go from really chilly to really, really hot in a matter of weeks. So, the warm season veggies don’t get planted until early May and they have to have some shade or they will sizzle. Anyone advising full sun has not met New Mexico summers.
“Three Sisters and Green Tractor”
New Mexico soils range from sand to heavy clay and are very salty. The mainstream garden advice to avoid adding acidic things to the soil (pine needles, coffee grounds, etc.) is just plain wrong for most of us – we need the acid things to balance the salt. And, we need to put in as much effort – if not more – into building soil structure as we do with planting. So, yeah, unless you are an avid composter, expect to spend a lot of money on dirt. The lack of rainfall is the easiest problem to solve – I use drip irrigation and a hose timer.
Left to right: “Yarrow”, “High Desert Garden” and “Coneflowers”
One of the best ways to overcome our gardening challenges is to focus on native high desert plants. Native plants have evolved to adapt to our soils, the high altitude sunshine and low rainfall. They also provide habitat and food for our native wildlife. We often talk of xeric gardening – xeric plants require less water and include desert plants but also many Mediterranean herbs. Cacti are very striking structural plants in our gardens but blooming plants such as salvias, coneflowers, and penstemons bring the color – and food for visiting hummingbirds.
Left: “High Desert Spring”. Right: “Yucca and Roadrunner”
Our state flower is the yucca. The yucca flowers, a tower of white on a narrow stalk, are pollinated by the yucca moth. It is a symbiotic relationship where the moth needs the flowers for food and the yucca needs the moth for pollination. How cool is that?!
I use floral and desert backdrops a lot in my illustrations. Typically, I use watercolors because they provide a soft background allowing the illustration to pop. But, sometimes, I want a little plant pizazz in the foreground. Last year, I finally did a full-on high desert garden illustration which quickly became a favorite. I have used the illustration in my normal suite of products: cards, prints and pillows. But, I also did a fabric panel set that I sell exclusively through my amazing fabric store partner Hip Stitch (www.hipstitchabq.com). The panel set includes a large 22”x27” High Desert Garden panel and 6 coordinating 9”x9” garden scenes. Within the illustrations, I’ve used some of my favorite floral repeating patterns so it coordinates with Olivia’s Garden, Green Chile, Chamisa, California Poppies, Sweet Yellow Flowers, Oh, and I threw an adorable little toad in there. And some bees. Below: High Desert Garden panel set (available through Hip Stitch) and floral textile designs (available in store and online).
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