What can I grow in my Southern NM yard of rocks and sand?

I'm guessing cactus would be the first choice. They have a wide variety of flowering cactus, that are very pretty. But by putting in some soil and mixing it up to maybe 3/4 planting soil and some of the sand, I imagine you'd be able to plant some attractive flowers and maybe even a few types of shrubs. Depending on whether they a full sun or partial, I'm sure there are plenty of things you could get to grow, by changing the dirt to a mixture of mostly soil, but adding some sand in for better drainage..Good luck

Blanket flower should be able to thrive in those conditions.

Can you give a better idea of what type of landscaping or plants you want? There are ground covers, flowering plants, shrubs and even wild grasses that grow incredibly well in NM. I live in NM also and have much the same conditions as you do.

So give some idea of what look you want and no doubt you'll end up with a slew of choice suggestions.

Also, a great way to make sure you get the right plants is take some pictures of your house. Make sure you not only include ones of your land but how the sunlight hits during different times of day. Take those to a local nursery and ask them for suggestions.

If you're closer to Carlsbad you're in zone 7b. If you're closer to Las Cruces and west of there then you're zone 8a.

Caramel Sur manzanita is a lovely ground cover that takes full sun well and is drought tolerant.

The Pigeon Point plant is a totally remarkable ground cover. It takes a while to grow but well worth the wait. It's foliage is such a pretty green and it takes the heat of the NM summer sun well. Add to that it's also drought tolerant which you'll need.

Both of those have small blooms you'll enjoy.

If you want splashes of color try the Threadleaf coreopsis, it looks like clumps of bright yellow daisies or California Fuchsia ( don't let the name fool you) which has bright red tubular shaped flowers and grows in large clumps. It's also a favorite of hummingbirds! I grow it in my yard for that very reason. I love the hummingbirds it attracts. Well, that and it's out & out a stunning statement plant. I love the silvery foliage in contrast with the red blooms.

All is not lost with our crummy hard packed rocky clay ground. Nature loves us to! All of the plants I've listed will work in any of the southern NM zones. Can take our full hot afternoon sun, our awful rocky hard soil and are within reason drought tolerant. Although we don't escape the hard work of digging the big holes we need to plant these gems through what feels like concrete at times we're not destined to just live with cactus after all! ( I break up my soil using a pick axe. It makes it SO much easier! )

I hope that helps.

Happy planting!

With NM, its all about the exact location to know what can grow there. Love, love, love Ruidoso.