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plants
Desert Fern
Lysiloma microphylla var. thornberi
Height: 15 feet
Spread: 15 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 9a
Other Names: Feather Bush syn. Lysiloma watsonii
Description:
This large shrub is perfect for planting on steep slopes or areas where erosion is a problem; creates light, dappled shade in garden settings; an attractive and durable plant
Ornamental Features
Desert Fern features dainty panicles of white pincushion flowers at the ends of the branches in mid spring, which emerge from distinctive chartreuse flower buds. It has attractive green deciduous foliage. The tiny ferny bipinnately compound leaves are highly ornamental but do not develop any appreciable fall colour. The fruits are showy brown pods displayed in mid summer. The mottled gray bark is extremely showy and adds significant winter interest.
Landscape Attributes
Desert Fern is an open multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Desert Fern is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Hedges/Screening
Planting & Growing
Desert Fern will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is not originally from North America.
This plant is not reliably hardy in our region, and certain restrictions may apply; contact the store for more information.
