Star Jasmine Bush
A fragrant evergreen vine commonly trained and pruned into a bush, with glossy leaves and clusters of white, star-shaped flowers; not a true jasmine. Special Features Strong floral fragrance, glossy year-round foliage, and suitability for training as a shrub, vine, espalier, or groundcover. Problems & Solutions Leaf scorch in harsh sun or reflected heat: provide […]
Tabernaemontana ‘Flore Pleno’
Tabernaemontana divaricata ‘Flore Pleno’, commonly called double crape jasmine, is a tropical shrub with glossy leaves and fragrant, double white flowers. In Phoenix, it requires a sheltered, irrigated location and winter frost protection. Special Features Fragrant flowers, glossy tropical foliage, and a long blooming season. Not drought tolerant; milky sap can irritate skin, and plant […]
Star Jasmine
Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is an evergreen climbing vine with glossy leaves and intensely fragrant, star-shaped white flowers. It grows well in Phoenix with protection from extreme afternoon heat. Special Features Highly fragrant flowers; attractive year-round foliage; trainable as a vine, espalier, or groundcover. Problems & Solutions Hot afternoon sun and reflected heat can scorch […]
Vinca Major Periwinkle
Bigleaf periwinkle is a spreading perennial groundcover with glossy leaves and violet-blue flowers. Unlike annual vinca, it needs shade and supplemental irrigation in Phoenix. Special Features Shade-tolerant groundcover with attractive foliage; trailing stems root at nodes and provide dense coverage. Problems & Solutions Aggressive spreader and invasive in some regions; contain and keep away from […]
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 […]
Grecian Pattern Plant
A bold, clump-forming perennial with large, deeply lobed leaves and upright flower spikes. Best suited to sheltered, shaded garden areas in Phoenix rather than exposed desert landscapes. Special Features Dramatic architectural foliage traditionally associated with Corinthian column designs; striking flower spikes; tolerates dry periods once established, often by going dormant. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat […]
Periwinkle Vine
A vigorous, trailing groundcover with glossy, oval leaves and violet-blue flowers. Unlike annual vinca, it needs shade and regular irrigation in Phoenix. Special Features Shade-tolerant groundcover; trailing stems root at nodes. Established plants tolerate brief dry periods, but this is not a low-water desert groundcover. Problems & Solutions Aggressive spread and invasive behavior in some […]
Kaffir Lily (Yellow)
An uncommon yellow-flowered clivia with arching, strap-shaped leaves and rounded clusters of soft yellow flowers; best grown in a protected, shaded container in Phoenix. Special Features Unusual yellow blooms, attractive foliage year-round, and good container performance; tolerates dry shade once established in suitable climates, but not exposed Phoenix desert conditions. Problems & Solutions Direct sun […]
Star Jasmine Vine
A woody, evergreen twining vine with glossy leaves and intensely fragrant, star-shaped white flowers; also called confederate jasmine. Special Features Highly fragrant flowers; attractive year-round foliage; trainable on trellises or as groundcover. Best in sheltered Phoenix microclimates rather than exposed desert conditions. Problems & Solutions Afternoon sun and reflected heat can scorch leaves; provide shade […]