Pink Muhly
Muhlenbergia rigens is deer grass, not pink muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris). These details describe M. rigens, a Southwestern native bunchgrass with arching foliage and tall, slender flower spikes. Special Features Heat and drought tolerant once established; provides wildlife shelter, erosion control, and movement in the landscape. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage and overwatering can cause root […]
Regal Mist
A clumping ornamental grass, Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘Lenca’, prized for airy clouds of rosy-pink flowers above fine-textured green foliage. Special Features Showy pink flower clouds; heat and drought tolerant once established; generally deer resistant; provides cover and seeds for wildlife. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage can cause crown or root rot; improve drainage and avoid overwatering. […]
Blue Muhly Grass
A large, clumping ornamental grass native to Texas and northern Mexico, with arching blue-gray foliage and tall, airy flower spikes. Special Features Heat and drought tolerant; deer resistant; provides movement, texture, and seed for birds. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage and excessive irrigation can cause root rot. Remove dead foliage in late winter; if badly […]
Carob Tree
A long-lived Mediterranean evergreen tree with a broad, dense canopy, leathery compound leaves, and edible brown pods used to make carob powder. Special Features Excellent heat and drought tolerance once established; dense shade; edible pods; adaptable to Phoenix’s alkaline soils. Problems & Solutions Young trees can suffer frost damage; protect during freezes and choose a […]
Silk Floss Tree
A subtropical specimen tree with a swollen green trunk studded with conical spines, palmate leaves, and showy pink flowers; best suited to warm, frost-sheltered Phoenix locations. Special Features Sculptural, water-storing trunk; striking bark spines; large ornamental flowers; seed capsules filled with silky fibers; heat tolerant and moderately drought tolerant once established. Problems & Solutions Young […]
Yellow Mums
A bushy perennial with abundant yellow flowers and lobed foliage, commonly grown as a fall seasonal accent in Phoenix, where extreme summer heat can limit longevity. Special Features Showy fall color; suitable for containers and cut flowers. Open-centered varieties attract pollinators more readily than densely double forms. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat and dry soil […]