Prickly Pear Blind
A shrubby prickly pear with rounded, blue-gray pads dotted with cinnamon-brown glochids—tiny, barbed bristles. Despite lacking long spines, it is not safe to touch. Special Features Distinctive rounded pads and rusty-brown glochid clusters; highly heat and drought tolerant; flowers attract pollinators. Problems & Solutions Overwatering causes root and pad rot; provide excellent drainage and allow […]
Firecracker Plant (Coral Fountain)
A fountain-like shrub with slender, rush-like green stems that arch and cascade outward. Produces tubular scarlet flowers over a long warm season and is highly attractive to hummingbirds. Performs reliably in low-desert Phoenix heat. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; heat and drought tolerant once established; long bloom season; excellent cascading over walls, slopes, and […]
Tecoma Sparky Bells
A compact, heat-loving Tecoma cultivar with clusters of golden-yellow trumpet flowers marked by reddish-maroon throats. Well suited to Phoenix gardens. Special Features Heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established; attracts hummingbirds and bees; distinctive bicolored flowers. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; prune damaged growth after frost danger passes. Watch for spider […]
White Hibiscus
Assumed to be a white-flowered tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), a lush shrub with glossy leaves and large, showy flowers; cultivar affects size and flower form. Special Features Large tropical flowers, a long bloom season, and suitability for containers; flowers attract pollinators. Not a low-water desert shrub. Problems & Solutions Frost injury: use frost cloth and […]
Woolly Butterfly Bush
Woolly butterfly bush (Buddleja marrubiifolia) is a compact desert shrub with fuzzy silver-gray leaves and small, round orange flower clusters, well suited to Phoenix landscapes. Special Features Soft, woolly foliage; attracts butterflies and other pollinators; highly heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established. Problems & Solutions Overwatering and poor drainage can cause root rot; allow […]
Violet Silver Leaf Sage
A compact desert shrub with densely fuzzy, silvery-white leaves and vivid violet-purple flowers; well suited to Phoenix heat and dry conditions. Special Features Striking silver foliage; excellent heat and drought tolerance; attracts bees and other pollinators; generally unpalatable to deer. Problems & Solutions Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage and avoid frequent irrigation. Sparse […]
Silver Leaf Sage
A compact desert shrub with densely woolly, silvery-white leaves and vivid purple flowers; well suited to Phoenix heat and arid landscapes. Special Features Exceptional silver foliage; heat and drought tolerant; attracts bees and other pollinators; generally unpalatable to deer. Problems & Solutions Root rot in wet or poorly drained soil: improve drainage and reduce irrigation. […]