Red Push
A heat-tolerant hybrid pistache shade tree prized for its copper-red new growth, dense green canopy, and seasonal fall color; well suited to Phoenix landscapes. Special Features Copper-red spring growth; yellow, orange, or red fall foliage; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established. Fall color varies with weather and site conditions. Problems & Solutions […]
Rubber Tree (Rubber Plant)
The nursery Rubber Tree is Ficus elastica, a tropical evergreen grown chiefly as a houseplant for its large, glossy, leathery leaves. It is frost-tender and not suited to outdoor exposure in the low desert; keep it indoors or on a shaded patio in bright, indirect light. (Note: the commercial latex tree Hevea brasiliensis is a […]
Ruby Red Euphorbia
An upright, branching succulent, Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ has three-sided stems, short paired spines, and burgundy-red leaves. Often called African milk tree, it is not a true cactus. Special Features Sculptural burgundy coloration; drought tolerant once established; easily grown in containers. Milky sap is toxic and irritating. Problems & Solutions Not reliably hardy outdoors in Zone […]
Sago Palm – LG
An ancient, palm-like cycad with stiff, glossy, feather-shaped fronds forming a symmetrical crown above a stout trunk; not a true palm. Special Features Architectural form, symmetrical foliage, and excellent container potential. All parts are highly toxic if ingested, especially the seeds; keep away from pets and children. Problems & Solutions Afternoon sun can scorch fronds; […]
Sago Palm – #25 or 24box
A slow-growing, palm-like cycad with stiff, glossy fronds forming a symmetrical crown above a stout trunk. Despite its common name, it is not a true palm. Special Features Architectural form, glossy foliage, and excellent container potential. All parts are highly toxic if ingested, especially the seeds; keep away from pets and children. Problems & Solutions […]
Sago Palm XL
An ancient, palm-like cycad with stiff, arching fronds and a stout trunk. XL indicates nursery size, not a distinct variety. Special Features Bold architectural foliage; drought tolerant once established; suitable for containers. All parts are highly poisonous to people and pets, especially the seeds. Problems & Solutions Afternoon sun and reflected heat can scorch fronds; […]
Dwarf Schefflera (Arboricola)
Tropical shrub with glossy, dark green compound leaves arranged in an umbrella-like pattern. Used as a landscape shrub only in frost-protected shade, or as a container and interior plant. Frost tender in the low desert. Special Features Glossy tropical foliage; tolerates heavy pruning and shaping; tolerates low interior light; good container and screen plant in […]
Spiral Blue Point Juniper
An upright Chinese juniper with dense blue-green foliage, trained and clipped into a decorative spiral. The spiral shape requires ongoing pruning. Special Features Sculptural topiary form; blue-green foliage year-round; drought tolerant once established, though supplemental irrigation is important in Phoenix heat. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat and reflected sun can cause browning; choose a protected […]
Stromanthe ‘Triostar’
A tropical foliage perennial with elongated leaves patterned in green, cream, and pink, with burgundy undersides. Best grown indoors in Phoenix rather than as a permanent outdoor landscape plant. Special Features Striking tricolor foliage; leaves shift position with the day-night cycle. Generally considered nontoxic to cats and dogs. Problems & Solutions Phoenix heat, dry air, […]
Xylosma
Assuming the commonly planted shiny xylosma (Xylosma congestum): a heat-tolerant shrub or small tree with glossy green leaves, bronze new growth, and gracefully arching branches. Special Features Glossy foliage, coppery new leaves, good heat tolerance, and tolerance of pruning. Can be trained into a hedge, screen, or small tree. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage can […]