Firecracker Penstemon
A Southwestern native perennial with upright spikes of brilliant red tubular flowers above a low clump of leathery green leaves. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds and native pollinators; drought tolerant, cold hardy, and well suited to low-water gardens. Problems & Solutions Root and crown rot in wet soil: improve drainage and keep mulch away from the […]
Pencil Cactus
A branching succulent shrub or small tree with slender, pencil-like green stems and tiny, short-lived leaves; not a true cactus. Special Features Sculptural branching, strong heat tolerance, and excellent drought resistance once established. Milky sap is toxic and highly irritating. Problems & Solutions Frost-tender and not reliably hardy throughout Zone 9b; freezing temperatures can damage […]
Pindo Palm
A cold-hardy feather palm with arching, blue-gray fronds and edible, aromatic fruit used for jelly. Commonly sold as Butia capitata, landscape pindo palms are usually Butia odorata. Special Features Edible jelly-making fruit; graceful, recurved fronds; good cold tolerance for Zone 9b; moderate drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Extreme desert heat, reflected sun, and […]
Petite Pink Oleander Tree
A dwarf pink-flowering oleander trained into a small tree, with a rounded evergreen canopy and excellent tolerance of Phoenix heat. Special Features Compact size; long flowering season; heat, drought, and reflected-heat tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions All parts are highly poisonous if ingested; keep away from children and pets, wear gloves when pruning, and […]
Petite Red Oleander Shrub
A compact oleander cultivar with showy red flower clusters and narrow, leathery green leaves, well suited to Phoenix heat. Special Features Compact size; long flowering season; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established. All parts are highly poisonous if ingested. Problems & Solutions Aphids and scale may occur; monitor and treat with labeled […]
Petite White Oleander Shrub
A compact white-flowering oleander with narrow, leathery leaves and abundant summer blooms, well suited to Phoenix heat. Special Features Compact size; excellent heat tolerance; drought tolerant once established; tolerates reflected heat and urban conditions. All parts are highly poisonous if ingested. Problems & Solutions Aphids and scale may occur; use strong water sprays for aphids […]
Peruvian Apple Cactus
A tall, branching South American cactus with ribbed, blue-green stems, large night-blooming flowers, and edible fruit; commonly sold as Cereus peruvianus or Cereus repandus. Special Features Dramatic vertical form; excellent heat and drought tolerance; edible pink-red fruit with sweet white flesh and small black seeds; attracts nocturnal pollinators. Problems & Solutions Root and stem rot […]
Pink Muhly
Muhlenbergia rigens is deer grass, not pink muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris). These details describe M. rigens, a Southwestern native bunchgrass with arching foliage and tall, slender flower spikes. Special Features Heat and drought tolerant once established; provides wildlife shelter, erosion control, and movement in the landscape. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage and overwatering can cause root […]
Pink Oleander Shrub
A tough, evergreen flowering shrub with narrow, leathery leaves and clusters of pink flowers, well adapted to Phoenix heat. Special Features Heat, drought, and urban-condition tolerant; useful for dense screening. All plant parts are highly poisonous if ingested. Problems & Solutions Aphids and scale may occur; manage with water sprays or labeled treatments when needed. […]
Bougainvillea Vine ‘Pink Pearl’
A vigorous, thorny bougainvillea vine with green foliage and showy, papery pink bracts surrounding tiny white flowers; well suited to warm, protected Phoenix gardens. Special Features Showy, long-lasting bracts; heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established; can be trained on supports or maintained in containers. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; choose […]