Peruvian Apple Cactus
A tall, branching South American cactus with ribbed, blue-green stems, large night-blooming flowers, and edible fruit; commonly sold as Cereus peruvianus or Cereus repandus. Special Features Dramatic vertical form; excellent heat and drought tolerance; edible pink-red fruit with sweet white flesh and small black seeds; attracts nocturnal pollinators. Problems & Solutions Root and stem rot […]
Stetsonia
A large, tree-like Argentine cactus with ribbed, blue-green stems and long, stout spines; commonly called toothpick cactus. Special Features Dramatic branching silhouette, exceptionally long spines, strong heat and drought tolerance, and showy nocturnal flowers. Problems & Solutions Root and stem rot in wet soil (ensure excellent drainage); sunburn after sudden exposure (acclimate gradually); freeze injury, […]
Stetsonia Cactus
A tree-like South American cactus with thick, ribbed, blue-green stems and long, stout spines; commonly called toothpick cactus. Special Features Bold architectural form; exceptionally long toothpick-like spines; heat and drought tolerance; large night-opening flowers. Problems & Solutions Root and stem rot from excess moisture (ensure excellent drainage); sunburn after abrupt exposure (acclimate gradually); frost injury, […]
Silky Wisteria ‘Shiro Kapitan’
Deciduous twining vine with large, fragrant white flower clusters in spring. Marginal in the low desert, where intense heat, alkaline soil, and lack of winter chill limit performance; best in a protected, part-shaded microclimate. Needs sturdy support. Special Features Very fragrant white flowers; short dense racemes ~4-6 in long; attracts bees and butterflies Problems & […]
Japanese Blueberry
Broadleaf evergreen tree with glossy foliage, bronze-red new growth, and olive-shaped blue-black fruit. Best in a sheltered, irrigated Phoenix landscape; not a low-water desert tree. Special Features Glossy year-round foliage, colorful new growth, lightly fragrant flowers, and ornamental blue-black fruit. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat, dry winds, and drought can scorch leaves; provide afternoon protection, […]
Toothpick Cactus
A tree-like South American cactus with ribbed, blue-green stems and exceptionally long, rigid spines resembling toothpicks. Special Features Dramatic branching silhouette; prominent spines up to about 4 inches long; excellent heat and drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Root rot in wet soil: ensure excellent drainage and avoid frequent irrigation. Frost damage: protect young […]
Red Trumpet Vine
A vigorous, woody climbing vine native to Mexico, with lush green foliage and large red trumpet-shaped flowers; also sold as Distictis buccinatoria. Special Features Showy hummingbird-attracting flowers; long bloom season; rapid coverage of large structures; tolerates desert heat with adequate irrigation. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and tender growth, especially in the upper […]
Royal Trumpet Vine
A vigorous climbing vine with glossy green foliage and showy purple trumpet-shaped flowers with yellow throats; well suited to sheltered Phoenix gardens. Special Features Showy, lightly fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds and bees; provides lush screening and tolerates desert heat with adequate irrigation. Problems & Solutions Reflected heat can scorch leaves; provide afternoon shade and mulch […]
Chinese Wisteria
A vigorous, woody climbing vine with fragrant, cascading spring flowers. Chinese wisteria can grow in Phoenix, but extreme heat and alkaline soil make it more demanding than desert-adapted vines. Special Features Fragrant flower clusters; attracts bees; provides seasonal shade. Long-lived, with sculptural woody stems. Problems & Solutions Summer leaf scorch: provide afternoon shade, mulch and […]