Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa) is a beautiful shrub native to higher elevations in the western United States. Its native range is 3,000-8,000 feet, so it’s a bit borderline for our area, but should do well in higher areas of the valley.
The shrub can apparently grow as high as 12 feet, but in the wild, most specimens are around 3-6 feet tall and about 3-5 feet wide. Because of its penchant for high elevations, it is extremely cold tolerant (to -30 F). It also loves our poor dry alkaline soils. It can bloom for much of the year (May to December); flowers are somewhat reminiscent of the off-white flowers of wild roses (it’s a member of the rose family).
Besides flowers it also produces beautiful pinkish feather-like fruits which look like tiny pink feather dusters and give the plant softness, dimension and movement. Seen against the sun, these little fluffy dusters are truly a spectacular sight. The flowers attract bees and butterflies. Small birds like to shelter in its branches.
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Apache plume forms beautiful feathery fruits which look spectacular in the landscape, particularly in the sun.
It doesn’t require much water, and recommendations on sun exposure vary. Some say it will tolerate full sun, while others say it prefers part shade. I would split the difference and plant it where it will get morning sun but will be protected from afternoon sun. It may reseed itself in your yard, but it is not invasive.
You don’t need to prune it, but after a couple of years it may look a bit scraggly. If so, you can cut the woodiest stems down to the ground and let them regrow; don’t prune more than ⅓ of the vegetation per year. The plant is a fairly fast grower, particularly with some supplemental irrigation. Do not overwater it, however; if it does not have good drainage and if overwatered it will die.
In the wild it’s frequently found on rocky slopes, like canyons and in mountainous areas. For this reason, it’s a good plant to use if you need to have some erosion control on a slope in your yard.
These plants can be tricky to find, but I have found them at Civano Nursery, Spadefoot Nursery, and Desert Survivors.
Find out if whispering sweet nothings to your leafy friends encourages them to grow faster.
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