Mystery mailbox flowers could be lavender cotton

Q: We have several plants growing in the area that surrounds our community mailbox. They are polite mounds, about a foot tall, and if I remember correctly they had lots of small bright yellow globe-shaped flowers in the summer. The major parts of the plants are what you would call a cool-gray color, but it’s not a “leafy” looking plant at all. Actually sort of spiky looking, yet not mean, if you will. They must be very drought-tolerant because they seem to survive without any help from anyone. Do you maybe know what plant this might be from our description? Thanks! — M.C., Albuquerque

A: Polite mounds of a cool-gray color, sort of spiky looking plant that is known to wear bright yellow wee flowers in the summer, I’m going to say that you have a grouping of plants known commonly as lavender cotton.

Santolina chamaecyparissus is the botanical name. They are considered evergreen sub-shrubs, and you are correct that once they get a good foothold they seem indestructible. I have no explanation available as to how they got that foothold in the space below the mailbox, but lucky you!

I will suggest that if these plants still have the spent blooms on them from last year’s flowering, you take the time and give them a wee haircut. You could cut back these mounds, keeping the mounding shape in mind, taking off an inch to an inch and a half as a cleaning up. If you’re of a mind to do that sort of project now, go for it. When you do give them what will be a much appreciated clipping, be sure to notice the scent of the plant. When roughed up or “bruised” the lavender cotton does offer a nifty clean herbish scent.

As the growing season goes on, especially if it stays hot and dry, you could offer a smidgen of water when you’re picking up the mail. Don’t go nuts and overdo the watering, especially since they seem to be dealing with their environment pretty well, but as an every three week to once a month treat, what do you have to lose?

I think you’re lucky to have these cheery, sturdy plants growing where you can pet them every day and be rewarded for it. Hope this helps!

Q: I have several roses that were planted last year that seem to be starting to bud already. Isn’t it too early for them to be doing that? — I.H., Los Lunas

A: It’s the relatively mild weather and the lengthening of daylight that is bringing on what seems to be this rush to wake up for the season.

Since roses are quite sturdy plants, I wouldn’t be too overly concerned with how they are behaving. I will remind you to not do any pruning on the roses yet, it’s still far too early to do that garden chore.

I will suggest that you mark your calendar for the last two weeks in March if these young roses, actually any roses, anywhere, need any pruning. Being barely the beginning of February, I know some of us are so ready to be back outdoors, but the time is not right. If we don’t get much more precipitation, go ahead and offer a drink perhaps every two weeks and just be patient. The time to get our hands dirty will be upon us soon enough.

Meanwhile, get out there and do some young weed hunting and enjoy dreaming about being Happy Diggin’ In!

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.