Few plants can endure the “inferno strip” — that crispy sliver of lawn between the sidewalk and street. But this hardy native can handle all the heat it can dish out.
When talking to folks about their landscape struggles, the conversation inevitably turns to the infamous strip of grass by the street. Also known as the inferno strip, radiant heat from the concrete and asphalt creates very inhospitable conditions, and few plants can tolerate such high temperatures.
Naturally people are stumped when looking for new ways to landscape this scalding sidewalk strip. So, what should go there?
Firstly, safety is the main consideration when landscaping this narrow strip. It’s important to choose low-growing plants that won’t obstruct pedestrians’ or drivers’ views.
Unfortunately, xeric plants that can tolerate the dry heat — such as yucca, cactus, agave, agarita and sotol — are prickly and potentially dangerous for pedestrians and pets. And other tough shrubs, like cenizo and esperanza, can grow large and self-seed, meaning regular trimming is required to keep the sidewalk accessible.
But there is one underrated native plant that will tolerate all the sun and heat this hellish locale has to dish out — and that’s damianita.
This native subshrub is abundant in the wild on the north and west sides of town and is now easy to find in nurseries too. It can be seen happily blooming right out of the caliche in full sun throughout spring and summer. This mounding, compact perennial tops out at 1 to 2 feet and fits nicely by the mailbox, in a rock garden or along a limestone roadcut along 281 North.
Its twiggy, upright stems emerge from a woody base and sport slim, fragrant, dark green leaves. While we humans may enjoy the delightful fragrance of the leaves, deer have no interest in them — yes, even those crazed Hill Country Village deer.
Each stem bears a single yellow daisy a few inches from the top, creating a stunning umbrella of sunny flowers. A member of the Asteraceae family, damianita flowers have a classic composite flower structure, with each bloom consisting of many central disc flowers surrounded by about eight ray flowers — the outer portion commonly referred to as the “petals.” Like so many in the Asteraceae family, damianita’s nectar-rich flowers boast a bountiful butterfly buffet!
So, why are we talking about this summer stunner right now? Because it tolerates the extremes of every season — even winter. Last month, temperatures plummeted and much of the area was blanketed in freezing rain and snow. Did damianita complain? Not even a little. The icy spectacle eventually melted and revealed the predictable shriveled aftermath leaving San Antonians with the nagging maintenance dilemma: to trim frost damage or to wait? (I vote for waiting, but that’s another article!)
Like other year-round rock stars such as cenizo and agarita, damianita can take both fire and ice. But unlike cenizo and agarita, damianita will never need to be cut back or thinned out. It’s maintenance- and pest-free, drought- and freeze-hardy, pollinator friendly and deer-resistant. Oh yeah, and it’s beautiful to boot.
Of course, it doesn’t have to go by the street, but it does need full sun. It also doesn’t like soggy roots, so provide soil with decent drainage and go easy on the watering.
Use our WaterSaver Landscape Coupon and pair it with little bluestem, nolina, black dalea, snakeherb, blackfoot daisy and woolly ironweed. It’ll transform the inferno strip into a beautiful slice of Texas Hill Country heaven!