Main Nature Shop Wildlife Yard
Wildlife Yard of the University Blvd. Nature Shop–300 E. University Blvd., Tucson
Lynn Hassler
Our yard has experienced a renaissance since 2012 when Lynn Hassler, an expert in native plants and gardening for birds, agreed to oversee a team that improves and diversifies the landscaping. These improvements have lead to other donations and we now have a beautiful fountain, a bench and an improved drip irrigation system. Read more about Lynn on page 11 of the summer 2014 Vermilion Flycatcher and see the classes she teaches at our education program page. If you would like to volunteer, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@tucsonaudubon.org or 520-209-1811 for more information. |
Years ago Tucson Audubon volunteers started planting bird-friendly plants in the front yard of the Nature Shop. In 2008 we added new plants and increased the rainwater harvesting capacity of the landscape. In recent years gardening expert Lynn Hassler and a team of volunteers has been overseeing and improving the garden (see box to right).
Below is a list of native plants that have been used in the yard. But using native plants alone is not everything required for a bird-friendly, sustainable yard, so see additional information about landscaping for wildlife and sustainability on our Bringing Birds Home Program page. You can have a yard like the Nature Shop yard, and Tucson Audubon will recognize your efforts through our Habitat at Home Program. This program gives you advice on creating safe, sustainable bird habitat in your yard and then recognizes your efforts with a beautiful sign that tells your neighbors what you are up to!
Please visit the shop and its front yard when ever you like. The shop is located at 300 E. University Blvd. and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Front yard of the University Blvd. Nature Shop,
a demonstration site for urban landscaping
Plants in the Front Yard of the Nature Shop
Click on a species to see a photo!
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Blue mist flower, Ageratum corymbosum
Fragrant beebush, Aloysia gratissima
Flame anisacanthus, Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
Queen’s wreath, Antigonon leptopus
Wooly butterfly bush, Buddleia marrubifolia (close-up)
Baja fairy duster, Calliandra californica
Desert willow, Chilopsis linearis (Texas variety) (close-up, native variety)
Little-leaf cordia, Cordia parvifolia (close-up)
Yellow cosmos, Cosmos sulphureus
Twin dropseed, Dicliptera resupinata
Flaxflowered gilia, Ipomopsis longiflora
Chuparosa, Justicia californica (close-up)
Mexican honeysuckle, Justicia spicigera
Fremont wolfberry, Lycium fremontii
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Blackfoot daisy, Melampodium leucanthum
Firecracker penstemon, Penstemon eatonii
Parry penstemon, Penstemon parryi
Paperflower, Psilostrophe cooperi
Wild petunia, Ruellia nudiflora (close-up)
Texas sage, Salvia coccinea (close-up)
Slimpod senna, Senna leptocarpa
Desert globemallow, Sphaeralcea ambigua (close-up)
Arizona yellowbells, Tecoma stans
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