Apache plums, yarrows catch the eye of new West Side residents

Q: We recently moved here to Albuquerque’s West Side and noticed all the different plants that we’ve never seen before. First, there is a big church at the corner of St. Josephs and Atrisco drives. In the landscaping are several shrubs that right now have pink puffy blooms all over them. The green leaves aren’t green-green, rather a cool gray color. Then, along Fifth Street, just south of the railroad tracks, are several businesses on the west side of the street. In that landscaping are mounding plants that are covered with the most brilliant yellow flowers. The mounds are about a foot and a half tall, maybe two feet at most, with the leaf part being a true green color. Could you maybe tell us what these two plants are so we can put them on our planting wish list? Thanks! — N.C., Albuquerque

A: I do drive by the big church fairly often, so I’m confident that the shrubs with the pink puffy blooms you’ve described are commonly called Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa). The Apache plume zones really well here, making it a good choice if you want to plant a shrub that is fairly indestructible. Just know that if it likes where it’s planted, it could easily grow to be 8 feet tall. This plant is in the rose family and maybe you didn’t notice it when it was wearing a bunch of small single blooms. The pink puffs you are noticing now is really the fruit of the Apache plume that happens after the white rose-looking blooms.

“Western Garden Book” says they grow great planted in a good amount of sun and can take the heat and drought. That does not mean you can plant and forget about them. They will grow best with maintenance watering. After blooming, the Apache plume is a rather drab looking plant, but nonetheless it is a sturdy plant for sure.

I had an idea about the next plant you’re wondering about so took a drive and you are right, the blooms are the most remarkable color yellow right now. This plant, I believe, is another sturdy individual for these parts. It’s commonly known as yarrows (Achillea). “Western Garden” calls them “the most carefree and generously blooming perennial for summer.” I mean really, how can you miss with a reputation like that?

Now the ones you’ve noticed are newly planted in that landscaped area and they are watered with a drip system, so we’ll see how well they stay tended. One nifty thing about yarrows is it can be considered a fire-resistant plant.

It is recommended to cut the plants back after the bloom is finished. If it can, it will set another bloom series. Perhaps every other year it’s recommended dividing the clumps, so the mother plant stays its healthiest.

Like the Apache plume the yarrows thrives in the sun and is defined as perennial, so it should last, with proper care, for years. Hope this info helps you put them on your plant wish list.

Happy Diggin’ In while keeping your eyes open to the glory that you can see!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.