A friend told me about her Anacacho Orchid Tree (Bauhinia sp) that was growing in her mainly shaded, deer accessible yard. She wondered if it was okay to cut it back now.
Since mid February is the time to cut back your roses, I replied that I was cutting mine back. In past years after frigid temperatures I have cut my Anacacho back and it returned.
Anacacho Orchid Tree is not native, but it does well here and most importantly it becomes drought tolerant after it is established. The deer do not seem to like it but the butterflies and bees do like it. Anacacho is from the warmer regions of Asia. It can grow in full sun but will tolerate bright shade. Because it freezes back when the temperature dips under 15 F, it never grows too tall. If the bottom branches are not cut back it will become shrub-like. It blooms in the spring and then off and on in the growing season, depending on the weather.
Now is a good time to plant perennials as the roots become established before the hot weather arrives. Always water occasionally when you introduce a new plant.
My friend also wanted to know what other plants would likely survive the shaded, deer accessible environment. I suggested Mountain Laura, Agarita and Lantana. All three of these perennials are native and can also be grown in the sun.
Two native wildflowers the deer do not like that grow in the shade are Heartleaf Skullcap and Cedar Sage. The blue Heart-leaf Skullcap flowers appear in the late spring. It has fuzzy leaves and if it is happy it will readily spread. Cedar Sage has bright red tubular flowers that the Hummingbirds like. Both of these wildflowers are between 8 and 12 inches tall. Heart-leaf Skullcap dies down in the winter, but the Cedar Sage is visible year round.
