MVPs (Most Valuable Plants) for Your Landscape
Written by Jennifer Patton / Photography by Ben Wilder. Published in Tucson Lifestyle, April 2020.
Nothing says Tucson like the raspy call of the cactus wren, the ‘love chatter’ of a pair of Abert’s towhees, or the site of baby quail trailing behind their parents. Encourage these birds into your yard by providing the food, shelter and nesting habitat they need.
The following plants have earned our MVP (Most Valuable Plant) ranking for providing food, cover and nesting sites for our native birds. All MVPs are Sonoran desert natives that are real workhorses. They provide berries and or seeds for wildlife, are pollinator attractors, can be used for defensive plantings around homes, and more. They are ‘desert survivors’ surviving on rainfall once established. These are all mid-story plants that are often excluded in the landscape, but that play a critical role for wildlife, especially birds. Plant one or several of these MVPs in your yard to get the party started.
Whitethorn Acacia
(Vachellia constricta) Size (HxW) 10’x12’
Deciduous medium shrub to small tree that provides vital habitat and food for many native birds, insects and mammals. Fragrant, yellow, puffball flower displays in spring and late summer. Hosts a variety of insects for insectivores like the verdin, vireos and warblers; seeds are favored by Gambel’s quail. Larval host plant for a variety of butterflies and moths.
Wolfberry
(Lycium species) Size (HxW) 6’x6’ (dependent on species)
Lavender flowers are popular with hum- mingbirds and other pollinators. It flowers in the winter, as well in the summer in response to rain. Large orange or red berries in the spring and fall provide food for birds and animals, and are tasty for people, too. This dense, thorny shrub is perfect for protected nesting space. Drought deciduous.
Fragrant Bee Brush
(Aloysia gratissima) Size (HxW) 8’x6’
Like goldfinches? Plant an aloysia. They cannot resist the vanilla-scented spikes of flowers that bloom from spring through fall (they eat the flower buds). This delicately textured thornless shrub is host to the rustic sphinx moth and a favorite nectar source for butterflies and a variety of native and European bees.
Graythorn
(Ziziphus obtusifolia) Size (HxW) 8’x7’
A long branching shrub with stout thorns. Covered in black berries in the spring feast- ed upon by many species of bird, including phainopepla. Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds. Fruits several times each year in response to rainfall. Very popular with insects and pollinators.
Desert Hackberry
(Celtis pallida) Size (HxW) 12’x8’
This dense, evergreen thorny shrub pro- vides food and shelter to numerous species of birds, insects, and other wildlife. The one in our yard is a favorite roosting site for a covey of quail. Abundant orange fruits in the fall are edible by humans and wildlife. Butterfly larval host plant to the American snout, hack- berry emperor, Empress Leila and more.
Catclaw Acacia
(Senegalia greggii) Size (HxW) 10’x15’
Deliciously fragrant oblong puffballs grace this small tree in late spring. It is a favorite of many caterpillars, a great nectar plant, and wonderful forage source for insect-eating birds. Its gnarled growth form is beautiful in the landscape. Plant this where you can enjoy the fragrance, form, and many wildlife visitors while avoiding its thorns.
Butterfly and Caterpillar Buffet
These Sonoran Desert natives add color to your garden and are butterfly larval hosts as well nectar favorites.
Dalea
Dalea hosts Blues (pictured) and hairstreaks, and is a reliable winter bloomer.
Justicia
Chuparosa has a long flower- ing season, and varieties are available with red or yellow flowers. This plant is the host of the Checkerspot and Texas Crescent butterfly larvae, and is a favorite of hummingbirds.
Milkweed
These plants host Queen and Monarch butterfly larvae. Try either the desert milkweed or pine leaf milkweed in your yard. Both butterflies’ larvae eat the leaves and stems.
Honeysuckle
Butterflies and hummingbirds love desert honeysuckles, and the plant also is host to several varieties of Checkerspots. Queen butterflies mate on desert honeysuckle leaves.