Popcorn Cassia
A fast-growing tropical shrub with feathery foliage that smells like buttered popcorn when rubbed and upright spikes of bright yellow flowers. Special Features Popcorn-scented foliage, showy flower spikes, and a lush tropical appearance; attracts pollinating insects. Not edible despite its scent. Problems & Solutions Frost-sensitive; plant in a sheltered location and cover during freezes. Prune […]
Hibiscus Tree
A tropical flowering shrub often trained into a small patio tree, with glossy green leaves and large, showy flowers. Requires protection from Phoenix’s intense afternoon sun and winter freezes. Special Features Tropical appearance, large colorful flowers, and suitability for containers and tree-form training; attracts pollinators. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; use […]
Pygmy Date Palm
A small, graceful palm with a slender, textured trunk and arching, finely divided fronds that create a soft, tropical appearance. Special Features Compact tropical accent suitable for containers and sheltered patios; female plants can produce small, dark, date-like fruits when pollinated. Problems & Solutions Fronds can suffer frost damage in Zone 9b; plant in a […]
Red Bird of Paradise
A fast-growing, heat-loving shrub with ferny foliage and brilliant orange-red flowers from late spring through fall. In the low desert it freezes to the ground most winters and regrows vigorously from the roots. A reliable summer-color workhorse. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; blooms through peak summer heat; extremely heat tolerant; low water Problems & […]
Winter Cassia
A fast-growing, subtropical shrub with arching branches, rounded leaflets, and abundant golden-yellow flowers during Phoenix’s cooler months. Special Features Showy cool-season flowers; attracts bees and serves as a larval host for sulphur butterflies. Tolerates heat and some drought once established. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; choose a sheltered location, protect young […]
Meyer Lemon
A compact citrus tree producing juicy, thin-skinned, golden-yellow fruit with a sweeter, less acidic flavor than standard lemons; well suited to protected Phoenix gardens. Special Features Edible fruit, fragrant flowers, and self-fertile blossoms; one tree can produce fruit. Choose certified disease-free Improved Meyer lemon stock. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage flowers, fruit, and young […]
Limequat
A small citrus tree bearing tart, lime-like fruit with edible peel. True limequat is a lime–kumquat hybrid, usually named Citrus × floridana; Fortunella obovata generally refers to Fukushu kumquat. The care below is for limequat. Special Features Fragrant flowers; edible yellow to yellow-green fruit with aromatic peel and acidic juice; self-fertile; generally more cold tolerant […]