Trees That Please Nursery

New Zealand White Clover ( Trifolium repens ) is a perennial nitrogen fixing legume that reaches about 8-12 inches in height.   New Zealand White Clover is more tolerant of heat and drought than larger clovers, is more vigorous, and tolerates a wide range of soils. New Zealand White Clover forms a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen fixing soil bacteria called Rhizobium trifolii . Rhizobium bacteria are found in root nodules of clover and other legumes. The Rhizobium bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium that the plant uses for growth and development. The plant in turn provides a suitable growth environment (root nodule) as well as other nutrients such as carbohydrates and protein.   New Zealand White Clover is used as green manure as it fixes up to 170 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Excess nitrogen is released into the surrounding soil where associated plants use it for growth and development. Local Orchards, Valencia County Extension Service, and Homeowners use New

Yellow Bird of Paradise ( Caesalpinia gilliesii ) is a small shrub that may reach 6’-8’ tall and wide. It is a member of the legume family (related to peas and beans). It is commonly known as bird of paradise , but more specifically Yellow Bird of Paradise. The Yellow Bird of Paradise has yellow petals with bright red stamens (see photo). Two other commonly grown related species are Red Bird of Paradise ( Caesalpinia pulcherrima ) that has red flowers and Mexican Bird of Paradise ( Caesalpinia mexicana ) that has all yellow flowers . Yellow Bird of Paradise is the hardiest of these three species. The plant has a light feathery appearance because of its leaves. Leaves are structurally bipinnate, with 3-10 pairs of pinnae, each bearing pairs of thin leaflets (photo). These leaves are similar to those of the mimosa tree (photo). Flowers are found on short stalks and begin blooming in late spring or early summer and then occasionally through the rest of summer. Yellow B

You are invited to The Arboretum Tomé   to enjoy our   unique collection of native high desert trees during our annual ‘Spring Fling in the Trees’ open house.   The Arboretum Tomé is a collection of rare trees endemic to the desert Southwest.   The collection includes a huge variety of Oak trees, the genus Quercus , along with Redwoods, Giant Timber Bamboo, and Maples, including a Western native sugar maple called the Bigtooth Maple, Acer grandidentatum . The Arboretum is a great place to spend some time under the shade of mature native trees, to study and observe, to be inspired, or to see the great variety of native landscaping trees the southwest has to offer. The Arboretum is also used as an outdoor classroom where lectures are performed. Tours are available for school field trips, students, academic professionals, and individual showings. Our Spring Fling is Free May 19 th   9:30 to 4:00 Located at 9 Gilcrease Road, Los Lunas, NM 87031 Bring your sack lunch a

Spanish Broom ( Spartium junceum ) is a perennial, evergreen, nitrogen-fixing (leguminous) shrub native to the Mediterranean area of Southern Europe, Asia, and North Africa. In its native habitat it is found growing in full sun on dry, sandy soils. Spanish Broom does well in many New Mexico landscapes which have characteristics similar to its native habitat. It is used as an ornamental in the garden, around the house, or xeric landscape plantings. Spanish Broom can grow 1’-1.5’ annually reaching up to 10’ tall and wide.   It grows as an upright shrub with green trunk and stems with occasional small leaves during spring and summer. In late spring Spanish Broom is literally covered with very fragrant yellow pea-like flowers.   As a nitrogen-fixing legume it is related to plants in the pea family which is easily seen by a close look at its flower (photo). Spanish Broom is best grown in well-drained soils in full sun and can be grown with low to regular water after estab

You are invited to  The Arboretum Tomé  to see our unique collection of native high desert trees during our annual ‘Spring Fling in the Trees’ open house.   The Arboretum Tomé is a collection of rare trees endemic to the desert Southwest. T he collection includes a huge variety of Oak trees, the genus Quercus , along with Redwoods, Giant Timber Bamboo, and Maples, including a Western native sugar maple called the Bigtooth Maple, Acer grandidentatum . The Arboretum is a great place to spend some time under the shade of mature native trees, to study and observe, to be inspired, or to see the great variety of native landscaping trees the southwest has to offer. The Arboretum is also used as an outdoor classroom where lectures are performed. Tours are available for school field trips, students, academic professionals, and individual showings. Our Spring Fling is Free May 19 th   9:30 to 4:00 Located at 9 Gilcrease Road, Los Lunas, NM 87031 Bring your sack lunch and en

The Arboretum Tomé is a collection of rare trees endemic to the desert Southwest. Started by the founder of Trees That Please Nursery and Soil Secrets in the 80′s, the collection includes a huge variety of Oak trees, the genus Quercus , along with Redwoods, Giant Timber Bamboo, and Maples, including a Western native sugar maple called the Bigtooth Maple, Acer grandidentatum . You are invited to see this unique collection of native high desert trees during our annual ‘Spring Fling in the Trees’ open house. After 25 years the Arboretum is known worldwide for its collection of Oaks and the remediation of the saline sodic alkaline clay of the site that exemplifies sustainable biological management of soil using techniques that meet the benchmark of organic. The Arboretum is a great place to spend some time under the shade of mature native trees, to study and observe, to be inspired, or to see the great variety of native landscaping trees the southwest has to offer. The Arboretu

The Austrian (or European) Black Pine ( Pinus nigra ) is a tree with strong character and visual interest. Pinus nigra is a native tree of the Mediterranean region, from southern Europe into Northern African and Western Asia. It grows up to 1′-1.5′ per year reaching 25′-35′ tall and 15′-25′ wide. It usually grows with a rounded conic form, becoming more irregular in older trees. The Austrian Black Pine has a lifespan of several hundred years with some trees living over 500 years. It is best grown in full sun on a well-drained soil, so is ideal for properties with sandy soils like the local mesas (see photo above). The Austrian Black Pine can also be grown on light clay soils with good drainage. This tree does not tolerate shade. The trunk bark is greyish to yellow-brown, and fissured (see photo below) . The Austrian Black Pine is a great landscaping tree. Even when young and small they are considered cute and have a dense canopy (photo).   If the lower branch

The Arboretum Tomé is a collection of rare trees endemic to the desert Southwest. Started by the founder of Trees That Please Nursery and Soil Secrets in the 80′s, the collection includes a huge variety of Oak trees, the genus Quercus , along with Redwoods, Giant Timber Bamboo, and Maples, including a Western native sugar maple called the Bigtooth Maple, Acer grandidentatum . You are invited to see this unique collection of native high desert trees during our annual ‘Spring Fling in the Trees’ open house. The Arboretum is a great place to spend some time under the shade of mature native trees, to study and observe, to be inspired, or to see the great variety of native landscaping trees the southwest has to offer. The Arboretum is also used as an outdoor classroom where lectures are performed. Tours are available for school field trips, students, academic professionals, and individual showings. The Arboretum is the proving ground for Soil Secrets and contains a produ

You are invited to see this unique collection of native high desert trees during our annual ‘Spring Fling in the Trees’ open house. After 25 years the Arboretum is known worldwide for its collection of Oaks and the remediation of the saline sodic alkaline clay of the site that exemplifies sustainable biological management of soil using techniques that meet the benchmark of organic. Our Spring Fling is Free May 19 th   9:30 to 4:00 Located at 9 Gilcrease Road, Los Lunas, NM 87031 Bring your sack lunch and enjoy the shade of Fruit Trees, Redwoods, Maples, & Oaks. Lectures at 10 am on Soil Building, Landscape Design, and How to Successfully Plant Trees. In the afternoon enjoy live music by Mike Montiel. Visit our Website for more information and directions:   www.treesthatpleasenursery.com

Apache Plume ( Fallugia paradoxa) is a native plant of the southwestern United States including New Mexico. It grows throughout all four of the southwestern deserts: Chihuahuan, Great Basin Mojave, and Sonoran.   Apache Plume is a small, drought and heat tolerant shrub, normally growing to about 3’-4’ tall and wide. It is at home in the xeric landscape or any hot, dry, exposed place in your yard (see photo). L eaves are small, dull green, lobed and curled (see photo). A pache Plume is a member of the rose family (Rosaceae). The flowers of Apache Plume are white and rose-like in appearance (photo).   Its flowers attract both bees and butterflies to the landscape. After the white petals fall away the elongated plume-like styles (plumes) become very apparent and most often have a pinkish color (photo) but sometimes they are white (photo). These styles are part of the female portion of the flower and are attached to a developing fruit (carrying a single seed

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           Autumn Sage ( Salvia greggii ) is also commonly known as Cherry Sage owing to its flower color. Autumn Sage is native to the Chihuahuan desert. It is a small, evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub reaching 2’-3’ tall and wide. It blooms repeatedly through summer until frost making it a great addition to the garden or xeric landscape. It has one inch red to pink flowers that are found on spikes up to 10 inches long and are attractive to hummingbirds (see photo below). The red and pink flowered varieties are the most common but Autumn Sage can also be found in white, yellow, and orange flowered types. Autumn Sage is very heat tolerant and best grown in full sun on well-drained soils. It is a low water use plant once established but flowers more regularly with extra water.   Care consists of late winter pruning to remove dead wood and dead tips to encourage lush regrowth (see photo below). Autumn Sage is hardy to USDA zone 6. Autumn Sage makes a colorful addition to

            The Shantung Maple ( Acer truncatum ) is also known as the Purple Blow Maple due to the color of its newly emerging leaves which are red-purple (see photo below). These young expanding red-purple leaves change to green as they mature. Leaves are small, about the size of Japanese Red Maple leaves, perhaps 3’-4’ wide at maturity.   The Shantung Maple grows 1′-2′ annually reaching 25″ tall and wide.   This is our tree for all planting situations. This Maple does well in heavy clay, sandy soils, full sun, or part shade. It can be planted in a lawn or next to a hot asphalt street (see photo below). It seemingly is a happy tree enjoying life wherever it is placed.   One place we would not recommend planting this tree is in a rockscape which is just too hot and inhospitable to support this beautiful tree.              A smaller tree, the Shantung Maple can be planted closer to structures. Its fall color is a brilliant golden yellow. The Shantung Maple produces a winged fr