Sabal Palm (Cabbage Palm)
A stately, single-trunked palm native to the southeastern United States, with large, arching, fan-shaped leaves; also called cabbage palm. Special Features Cold hardy in Zone 9b; tolerant of wind, salt, and established drought. Flowers attract pollinators, and small black fruits feed birds. Problems & Solutions Phoenix heat and dry soil can cause leaf-tip browning; provide […]
Sedum Bronze Carpet
A low-growing, mat-forming succulent with small, fleshy, bronze-tinted leaves. Sedum spurium ‘Bronze Carpet’, also called Phedimus spurius ‘Bronze Carpet’, needs protection from Phoenix’s extreme summer heat. Special Features Bronze foliage; spreading groundcover; drought tolerant once established; flowers attract bees and butterflies. Problems & Solutions Phoenix summer heat can cause scorch and decline (provide afternoon shade […]
San Pedro Cactus
Tall, fast-growing columnar cactus native to the Andes, grown in desert landscapes for its striking vertical form. Produces large, fragrant white flowers that open at night. Note: stems contain psychoactive alkaloids (mescaline). Special Features Dramatic columnar accent; large nocturnal blooms attract moths; fast-growing for a cactus; drought tolerant once established; largely spineless Problems & Solutions […]
Senecio The Blues (Blue Chalksticks)
Low-growing succulent groundcover with striking blue-gray cylindrical leaves that spreads readily and provides bold color contrast in desert landscapes. Tolerates heat and reflected sun well and roots along the stems as it spreads. Special Features Striking blue-gray foliage for year-round color; excellent groundcover for slopes and rock gardens; drought tolerant once established Problems & Solutions […]
Spiral Cereus
A sculptural columnar cactus, Cereus forbesii ‘Spiralis’, with blue-green stems and prominent ribs that twist into distinctive corkscrew spirals. Special Features Unusual spiral stems; strong architectural form; drought tolerant once established; large night-opening flowers. Problems & Solutions Overwatering causes root and stem rot; ensure excellent drainage. Intense afternoon sun can scorch stems; provide shade and […]
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, […]
African Ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens is the true ocotillo, a spiny desert shrub native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. The common name African ocotillo usually refers to Alluaudia procera, a different plant; these details apply to Fouquieria splendens. Special Features Sculptural silhouette; exceptional heat and drought tolerance; nectar-rich flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. Problems & […]
Gold Tooth Aloe
A compact, clumping aloe with fleshy green rosettes edged in prominent golden-yellow teeth. Special Features Golden leaf teeth, colorful stress-tinted foliage, drought tolerance, easy propagation from offsets, and hummingbird-attracting flowers. Problems & Solutions Root rot from excess moisture (improve drainage and let soil dry); sunburn in Phoenix heat (provide afternoon shade); frost injury, especially below […]
Lily of the Nile Storm Cloud
A clump-forming perennial with arching, strap-shaped green leaves and large clusters of deep blue-violet flowers on tall, dark stems. Special Features Large, showy flower clusters; distinctive dark flower stems; attracts pollinators; useful as a cut flower. Problems & Solutions Leaf scorch in desert sun (provide afternoon shade); root or crown rot (improve drainage and avoid […]