Cream de Mint Pittosporum
Compact evergreen shrub with variegated green-and-cream foliage and fragrant white spring flowers. Tolerates heat better than many variegated shrubs but scorches in unshaded reflected heat. Special Features Variegated cream-and-green foliage; fragrant flowers; salt tolerant; good low-water shrub once established Problems & Solutions Aphids and scale (insecticidal soap or horticultural oil); root rot in heavy, overwatered […]
Pyracantha Shrub
A thorny, dense shrub commonly called scarlet firethorn, valued for white spring flowers and abundant orange-red berries that attract birds. Special Features Showy, long-lasting berries; bird habitat and food; thorny security barrier; tolerates drought once established, but performs better with supplemental desert irrigation. Problems & Solutions Fire blight can cause blackened shoots; prune affected branches […]
Pyracantha Victory
A vigorous, thorny shrub with glossy green leaves, clusters of white spring flowers, and abundant bright red berries in fall and winter. Special Features Showy red berries attract birds; dense, thorny branches provide wildlife cover and an effective security barrier. Heat tolerant with adequate irrigation. Problems & Solutions Fire blight and scab can occur; remove […]
Red Wonderful Pomegranate
A heat-tolerant fruiting shrub or small tree with glossy leaves, orange-red flowers, and large, red pomegranates containing sweet-tart, deep-red arils. ‘Wonderful’ typically ripens in fall in Phoenix. Special Features Edible fruit; self-fruitful, so one plant can produce a crop; excellent heat tolerance; drought tolerant once established; attracts pollinators. Problems & Solutions Fruit splitting: maintain even […]
ROSA CL BANKSIAE LUTEA
Yellow Lady Banks rose is a vigorous, nearly thornless climbing rose with masses of small, double, pale yellow flowers in spring. Well adapted to Phoenix when given adequate space and irrigation. Special Features Nearly thornless canes; profuse spring flowers; good heat tolerance and generally strong disease resistance. Problems & Solutions Aphids and spider mites may […]
Ruby Red Grapefruit
A subtropical citrus tree producing large, yellow-skinned grapefruit with blush-red flesh and a sweet-tart flavor. Well suited to Phoenix heat with adequate irrigation. Special Features Edible pink-to-red-fleshed fruit, fragrant blossoms, glossy foliage, and good heat tolerance. Self-fertile; one tree can produce fruit. Problems & Solutions Freeze damage: protect young trees during freezes. Sunburn: shade young […]
Tamarind
A tropical fruit tree with fine-textured foliage, a broad canopy, and brown pods containing tangy, edible pulp. Tamarind is marginal in Phoenix Zone 9b and requires a warm, frost-protected location. Special Features Edible sweet-tart fruit pulp; delicate, fernlike foliage; attractive shade canopy; strong heat tolerance and drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Freezing temperatures […]
Twisted Myrtle
An unusual Mediterranean myrtle, commonly sold as Myrtus communis ‘Boetica’, with twisted branches and curled, aromatic leaves that create a sculptural appearance. Special Features Twisting branches, curled aromatic foliage, fragrant flowers, and dark berries; attractive to pollinators and suitable for bonsai. Problems & Solutions Leaf scorch in intense afternoon sun or reflected heat (provide afternoon […]
Trovita Orange
A sweet orange variety with juicy, thin-skinned, moderately seedy fruit and fragrant spring flowers. Well suited to Phoenix heat when properly irrigated. Special Features Self-fruitful; only one tree is needed for fruit production. Produces sweet oranges for fresh eating and juice, with less heat required for sweetness than many orange varieties. Problems & Solutions Sunburn: […]
Utah Sweet Pomegranate
A heat-tolerant fruiting shrub or small tree producing sweet, low-acid pomegranates with pink-blushed skin, pale pink arils, and relatively soft seeds; well suited to Phoenix gardens. Special Features Self-fruitful; sweet, relatively soft-seeded fruit; excellent heat tolerance; drought tolerant once established, though irrigation improves fruit production. Problems & Solutions Fruit splitting: maintain even soil moisture and […]