The desert ecosystem is filled with a variety of plants.
The desert ecosystem is thought of as barren and desolate, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the desert is teeming with life and is second only to the tropical rain forest in the variety of plants and animals that thrive in the ecosystem, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Desert plants know store water, prevent excess water loss and survive in extreme conditions. Depending on where you live, you can transfer these traits to your own garden by adding desert plants to dry spots. Does this Spark an idea?
Barrel Cactus
Barrel cactus plants are native to desert areas.
The barrel cactus is a common sight in American deserts, growing throughout the Southwest and in Mexico. Named for its barrel-shaped body, the cactus grows as high as 11 feet, with a central trunk as thick as a person. Long, vertical ridges run down the sides of the barrel cactus. Each ridge is covered with long spines that grow 3-4 inches long. Flowers in shades of yellow-green and red blossom at the top of the barrel cactus. Barrel cactus is found in desert washes and near the base of mountains in the desert ecosystem.
To cultivate barrel cactus in the garden, purchase potted cacti in a nursery; do not remove any plants from their native setting. Barrel cactus have a natural lean; plant the specimen facing south to protect it from sunburn. It needs well-draining, sandy soil. Like all desert plants, barrel cactus needs very little water to survive. Barrel cactus is is best grown in United States Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9-11.
Brittlebrush
Brittlebrush shrubs are covered with silvery green foliage. The leaves are oval-shaped and covered with fine hairs that give them a soft, fuzzy texture. The shrub produces yellow flowers in late winter and early spring. Brittlebrush grow near sheltered areas like slopes, washes and hillsides, because the plants are sensitive to frost. Plant cultivated brittlebrush against a wall to keep it protected. The shrub reaches 2 to 5 feet in height and width. Brittlebrush grows best in zones 9 and 10, though it may be grown in zones 11 through 13 as well. The plant is hardy to 26 degrees Fahrenheit. Best grown in full sunlight, brittlebrush needs good drainage but very little water to survive. Too much water will make the plant look overgrown and wild.
Cottonwood
Cottonwood trees tower over desert landscapes, growing from 60 to 100 feet high, with an upper canopy spread just as wide. The trunk itself may be up to 6 feet in diameter. The tree may live as long as 100 years. The name cottonwood is derived from the seeds of female cottonwoods, which are covered with a cotton-like fluff. Cottonwoods, like most trees, grow near sources of water but do very well in dry soil conditions. The Eastern cottonwood is the state tree of both Kansas and Nebraska, while Wyoming claims the Plains cottonwood.
Plant cottonwood trees in zones 3 through 9, preferably near a stream, river or other natural source of water. The cottonwood grows best in well-drained soil and can tolerate dry conditions if that's what they were originally planted in.
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