Plant of the Month,(Noverber 1997)

by Kerry Krumrine*, member of the Mesilla Valley Landscape Association
. Las Cruces New Mexico and co-owner of J & K Growers, Inc

Winterfat, or Ceratoides lanata.

The Plant of the Month for November chosen by the Mesilla Valley Landscape Association is Winterfat, or Ceratoides lanata. This unique native plant was chosen for its very beautiful display of woolly seed heads that appear in the late fall and winter. Winterfat is very beautiful when the sun shines on it, because the tufts on the tips of the branches appear to glow. The name "Winterfat" came to be, because grazing herds preferred this plant for winter forage.

Winterfat grows to about three feet tall and two feet wide. It is evergreen, but will require a little extra water during the hottest time of the year to prevent its leaves from thinning. Its leaves are silvery gray, and its upright arching branches are woody.

This native plant occurs naturally in elevations between 2000 and 8000 feet as far north as Canada and south into Mexico in the western part of Northern America.

Winterfat will need a little relief from the hot summer sun. It is best to plant it where it will get some shade or filtered sun during the hottest time of the day. It survives the coldest winters in the Las Cruces area, hardy to -30 degrees. Regular deep monthly watering will promote the plant to grow faster, but once established will survive on rainfall alone. This is the perfect time of year to plant Winterfat. Purchase a one gallon container and plant it now, so that its roots will become established before the harshest cold weather sets in. Prune Winterfat in the early spring to keep it looking full and bushy. It is an excellent plant choice for erosion control, due to its deep and spreading roots.

The new brochure "Simply Enchanting" by the City of Las Cruces is now available. This guide to xeriscaping is available through the City of Las Cruces, members of the Mesilla Valley Landscape Association, and your local nurseries. It is an excellent source of information (with beautiful photographs) of everything you need to know about how to xeriscape your garden.

(Members of the Mesilla Valley Landscape Association include: Mountain Gardens, Naturescapes, High Mesa Composters, The Greenhouse Nursery, Green Thumb Nursery, Mallscapes, and J&K Growers, Inc. For more information please contact Kerry at 521-4698. All businesses pertaining to the "green industry" are welcome.)