70%

Fendler’s Sundrops (Calylophus hartwegii fendleri)
flourishing along our front walkway.
The oldest of 6 plants has bloomed for months already
without any human watering.

There is research coming out about the necessity of local native flora for fauna.It is finding that the bare minimum of natives plants to support the local native fauna is 70% when landscaping one's yard. 

"Landowners are using nonnative plants in 

their yards because they're pretty and exotic, 

they're easy to maintain, 

and they tend to have fewer pests on them. 

But it turns out that a lot of those insects they see as pests 

are actually critical food resources 

for our breeding birds. 

For landowners who want to make a difference, 

our study shows that a simple change 

they make in their yards 

can be profoundly helpful for bird conservation." 

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute researcher. 

The study is the first 

to directly link the decline of common resident bird species 

to the lack of insect prey 

that results 

from the use of nonnative plants in landscaping.

At a recent local gathering I was talking with an individual who works for the National Park Service and he reiterated that at least 70% natives in the garden is needed for the health and well BEing of our native fauna. It seems those interested in curbing the radical decline of diversity in our birds, insects and animal are well aware of the importance of native habitat. Intuitively it has always made sense to me to grow what is native to the area in which I was gardening rather than nonnatives, aka exotics. I have found it very exciting to learn about the plants of the Southwest and all the visitors they invite. And these plants are beautiful to the human eye, as well, which numerous passerbys comment to me if I am working out in the front garden.

Here at MuRefuge 6970' the front is 100% native flora so no worries about welcoming birds, insects, including butterflies and moths, as well as rabbits, skunks and raccoons. I see hummingbirds nectaring on the plethora of blooming penstamons. There is a pair of Lesser Goldfinches who I have observed eating the seeds from the dried flower pods of the Rocky Mountain Penstamons. And Dwight in the late evening has seen a hawkmoth on the Tufted Evening Primrose which is larva food for a specific type of this awesome BEing.

Praying Mantis on our adobe wall.
I have also seen one of these stunning BEings 
in the Paperflower blossoms (the mound of yellow flowers pictured below).

Since I am growing food in the back yard, however, it is a different story. 

In addition to annual edibles (pictured above) an orchard has been planted as well as berries.

Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens)

which gets its name from the

white dusting that covers the leaves

as the plant ages.

This is a nitrogen fixing plants so 

it is extremely beneficial 

to the well BEing of all the fruit trees

and berries.

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)
which is also a nitrogen fixing plant
hence the reason to plant it amidst the
red raspberries (depicted here) 
as well as blackberries.

I also grow herbs for salve making as well as two Chinese yellow flowering Chrysanthemums from which I gather the flowers in the Fall and dry for making a tea. This is a wonderful potent for the liver so I drink it daily to keep my exfoliating glaucoma in check. The eyes are the opening for the liver meridian in the view of Oriental Medicine.
These exotics are balanced with a variety blooming native perennials and grasses which I find very pleasing to my senses. And Shasta loves lying in the midst of the Desert 4 o'clocks which surround the Desert Willow.

Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis ‘Bubba’)
which is not really a willow at all
but of the Catalpa family. Looking closely at the
above flowers you will notice they look remarkably
like the Catalpa tree flowers as do the seeds pods
which develop in the Fall.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
with her berries just ready for the
enjoyment of the fruit eating birds.

at absurd human behavior.