Selecting appropriate woody plants for urban and suburban landscapes in Utah requires addressing unique environmental challenges. According to Utah State University, shrubs in these areas must be able to withstand intense sunlight, low relative humidity, drying winds, and limited seasonal precipitation.
Choosing Plants for Utah Climates
Homeowners often seek plant materials that provide season-long interest through varying colors. For those looking for specific species, the university highlights several options.
Ornamental Crabapple Tree Features
Crabapples (Malus sp.) are ornamental trees closely related to common apple trees and are distinguished by fruit size, with any apple fruit smaller than 2 inches considered a crabapple. These plants are native to both North America and Kazakhstan.
Native Gambel Oak Varieties
Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii Nutt.), which is also known as scrub oak, Rocky Mountain white oak, or Utah white oak, is native to the western United States, including Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
Water Conservation in Landscaping
Effective landscaping in Utah can also focus on water conservation. Research indicates that designing low water use landscapes helps manage water, which is a limiting resource in the state. Established water-wise landscapes may require less time and money to maintain than traditional landscapes, provided that plants are adapted to the local climate.
Prioritizing Irrigation During Drought
Additionally, trees should be prioritized for irrigation during drought conditions because grass can recover more easily from long periods of drought.
University Resources for Plant Care
Utah State University offers various resources for plant care, including a Tree Browser containing photos and descriptions of 245 tree species found in Utah and the Intermountain West. Other available information covers topics such as pruning techniques, managing pests, and preventing deer damage to woody plants.
