Newberry’s Velvetmallow: A Desert Gem for Water-Wise Gardens
If you’re looking to add some southwestern charm to your garden while keeping water usage to a minimum, let me introduce you to a delightful little shrub that might just become your new favorite: Newberry’s velvetmallow (Horsfordia newberryi). This native beauty proves that desert plants can be both tough and gorgeous, bringing a touch of the wild Sonoran Desert right to your backyard.
Meet This Desert Native
Newberry’s velvetmallow is a perennial shrub that’s perfectly at home in the arid landscapes of the American Southwest. You might also see it listed under its former scientific name, Abutilon newberryi, but don’t let the name changes fool you – this is the same wonderful plant that desert dwellers have been admiring for generations.
Where It Calls Home
This charming shrub is native to Arizona and California, where it thrives in the harsh yet beautiful Sonoran Desert regions. It’s a true local, having evolved to handle everything from scorching summers to chilly desert nights.
What Makes It Special
Newberry’s velvetmallow is like that friend who looks delicate but can handle anything life throws at them. Here’s what makes this plant so appealing:
- Soft, heart-shaped leaves with a distinctive velvety texture in an attractive gray-green color
- Small but cheerful orange to reddish flowers that add pops of warm color
- Compact shrub form that typically stays under 13-16 feet (though usually much smaller in garden settings)
- Multi-stemmed growth habit that creates natural, informal structure
Perfect for Desert and Drought-Tolerant Gardens
This little shrub is absolutely perfect if you’re creating a desert garden, xeriscape, or any water-wise landscape. It plays well with other native desert plants and can serve as an excellent specimen plant or work beautifully in groupings. Think of it as the reliable supporting actor in your garden’s desert drama – not necessarily the star, but essential to making the whole scene work.
Growing Conditions and Care
Here’s where Newberry’s velvetmallow really shines – it’s incredibly low-maintenance once you understand its needs:
Climate and Hardiness
This desert native thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, making it perfect for the hottest, driest parts of the country where many other plants would simply give up.
Sun and Soil Requirements
- Full sun is essential – this plant wants all the sunshine you can give it
- Well-draining soil is absolutely critical; soggy conditions will quickly spell doom
- Sandy or rocky soils are ideal – think desert conditions
- pH isn’t particularly important as long as drainage is good
Watering Wisdom
Once established, Newberry’s velvetmallow is extremely drought tolerant. During the first year, provide occasional deep watering to help roots establish, but after that, natural rainfall should be sufficient in most areas. Overwatering is much more dangerous than underwatering for this desert specialist.
Benefits for Wildlife
Don’t think this little shrub is all about looks – it’s also a valuable resource for local wildlife. The flowers attract bees and other small pollinators, making it a great choice for gardeners who want to support local ecosystems while maintaining a water-wise landscape.
Planting and Care Tips
- Plant in fall or early spring when temperatures are moderate
- Dig a hole only as deep as the root ball but twice as wide
- Backfill with native soil – no need for amendments in most cases
- Water deeply but infrequently during the first year
- Skip the fertilizer – desert natives prefer lean conditions
- Pruning is rarely necessary, but you can lightly shape in late winter if desired
Is Newberry’s Velvetmallow Right for Your Garden?
This native shrub is perfect for you if you’re gardening in the Southwest, love low-maintenance plants, and want to create habitat for local wildlife while conserving water. It’s not the right choice if you’re looking for a lush, tropical look or if you garden in areas with heavy clay soil and regular rainfall.
Newberry’s velvetmallow proves that native plants can be both practical and beautiful. By choosing this desert native, you’re not just adding an attractive, low-maintenance plant to your garden – you’re also supporting local ecosystems and embracing the natural beauty of the American Southwest. Sometimes the best gardening choices are the ones that work with nature rather than against it, and this little velvetmallow is a perfect example of that philosophy in action.
