Firebush
A heat-loving tropical shrub with lush foliage and clusters of slender orange-red flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators; excellent heat tolerance and some drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; protect young plants and prune damaged growth after frost danger passes. […]
Goldeneye
A bushy Southwestern perennial or subshrub with rough green leaves and abundant golden-yellow daisies, well suited to informal desert gardens. Special Features Heat and drought tolerant once established; attracts bees and butterflies, and provides seeds for birds. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage can cause root rot; avoid overwatering. Plants may become leggy or spread by […]
Mexican Sunflower
Mexican sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) is a heat-loving annual with bold, fuzzy foliage and brilliant, daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators. Special Features Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds; heat tolerant, fast growing, and easy to grow from seed. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage causes root rot; improve drainage and avoid overwatering. Rich soil or excess fertilizer produces […]
Butterfly Bush
Fast-growing shrub with arching branches, narrow gray-green leaves, and fragrant flower spikes that attract butterflies; needs protection from Phoenix’s harshest summer conditions. Special Features Fragrant, butterfly-attracting flowers; rapid growth; blooms on new wood. Provides nectar rather than serving as a host plant for most butterfly caterpillars. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat can cause leaf scorch […]
Purple Fountain Grass #1
A warm-season ornamental grass with arching burgundy foliage and soft, rosy-purple flower plumes that add movement and contrast to Phoenix gardens. Special Features Heat tolerant; moderately drought tolerant once established; colorful foliage and graceful plumes. ‘Rubrum’ generally produces little or no viable seed, unlike invasive green fountain grass. Problems & Solutions Frost damage: cut browned […]
Tecoma Stans Gold Star
Tecoma stans ‘Gold Star’ is a vigorous, heat-loving yellow bells cultivar with lush green foliage and abundant golden-yellow trumpet flowers, blooming at a younger age than typical seed-grown plants. Special Features Heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established; attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies; flowers heavily on new growth. Problems & Solutions Frost may damage stems; […]
Yellow Bells
A vigorous, heat-loving shrub or small tree with broad, toothed green leaflets and abundant clusters of golden-yellow trumpet flowers. Special Features Heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established; attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Problems & Solutions Frost damage: protect young plants and prune damaged growth after frost danger passes. Leaf-feeding caterpillars: monitor foliage, remove affected […]