Arkin Carambola Starfruit
A tropical fruit tree producing golden-yellow, five-ribbed starfruit with crisp, juicy, mildly sweet flesh. ‘Arkin’ requires a carefully protected microclimate in Phoenix Zone 9b. Special Features Fruit slices form distinctive stars. ‘Arkin’ is generally self-fruitful, although insect pollination improves fruit set. Not drought tolerant or reliably winter hardy in Zone 9b. Problems & Solutions Frost […]
Gardenia Tree Braided
An evergreen gardenia trained into a small tree with braided stems, glossy foliage, and intensely fragrant white flowers. Requires special care in Phoenix’s heat, dry air, and alkaline conditions. Special Features Highly fragrant flowers, glossy foliage, and decorative braided trunks; suited to sheltered patios but not drought tolerant. Problems & Solutions Alkaline soil or water […]
Royal Palm
Majestic tropical palm with a smooth, pale-gray trunk, prominent green crownshaft, and large, arching featherlike fronds. Marginal and generally unreliable outdoors in Phoenix Zone 9b because of frost, extreme dry heat, and low humidity. Special Features Striking architectural trunk and crownshaft; tropical appearance; self-cleaning canopy; flowers attract pollinators and fruits feed birds. Problems & Solutions […]
Sri Kembangan Starfruit
Sri Kembangan is a Malaysian starfruit cultivar producing large, sweet, golden-yellow fruit with five ribs that form star-shaped slices. A frost-sensitive tropical tree requiring substantial protection in Phoenix Zone 9b. Special Features Sweet, juicy fruit with attractive star-shaped slices; edible skin and ornamental tropical foliage. Generally self-fruitful, although cross-pollination can improve production. Problems & Solutions […]
August Beauty Gardenia Tree
A fragrant, evergreen gardenia trained as a small tree, with glossy foliage and double white flowers. Requires a protected location and careful soil and water management in Phoenix. Special Features Intensely fragrant flowers; glossy year-round foliage; elegant small-tree form. Not drought tolerant and challenging in Phoenix’s alkaline, hot, dry conditions. Problems & Solutions Alkalinity causes […]
Everblooming Gardenia
A compact gardenia with glossy, deep-green foliage and intensely fragrant, double white flowers. Challenging in Phoenix unless protected from intense heat and grown in acidic soil. Special Features Powerfully fragrant flowers, glossy foliage, repeat blooming, and suitability for sheltered patio containers. Problems & Solutions Alkalinity can cause iron chlorosis; maintain an acidic root zone and […]