Red Bird of Paradise
A fast-growing, heat-loving shrub with ferny foliage and brilliant orange-red flowers from late spring through fall. In the low desert it freezes to the ground most winters and regrows vigorously from the roots. A reliable summer-color workhorse. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; blooms through peak summer heat; extremely heat tolerant; low water Problems & […]
Red Oleander
Heat-tolerant oleander with red flower clusters, trained as a single- or multi-trunk tree; well suited to Phoenix landscapes. Mature size and flower shade vary by cultivar. Special Features Strong heat tolerance; drought tolerant once established; tolerates reflected heat and urban conditions. All parts are highly poisonous if ingested. Problems & Solutions Oleander leaf scorch causes […]
Red Yucca
A tough desert perennial with arching, narrow leaves edged in curling white fibers and tall stalks of tubular flowers; not a true yucca. Special Features Heat and drought tolerant; attracts hummingbirds; low maintenance; fibrous leaf margins without the sharp marginal teeth of many agaves. Problems & Solutions Root or crown rot in wet soil: improve […]
Rosmarinus Off Tuscan Blue
Tuscan Blue rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus ‘Tuscan Blue’, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) is an upright Mediterranean shrub with aromatic, needlelike foliage and rich blue flowers. Special Features Edible, strongly aromatic foliage; heat and drought tolerant once established; attracts bees and other pollinators. Problems & Solutions Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage and reduce watering. Spider mites […]
Bougainvillea ‘Royal Purple’
A vigorous, thorny climbing shrub with deep green foliage and rich purple, papery bracts surrounding tiny flowers; well suited to warm, sheltered Phoenix landscapes. Special Features Brilliant, long-lasting bract displays; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established; trainable on sturdy supports. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; choose a sheltered […]
Swan Hill Olive
A nearly fruitless olive cultivar with silvery evergreen foliage, a broad canopy, and a picturesque trunk that becomes gnarled with age; well suited to Phoenix landscapes. Special Features Essentially fruitless with very low pollen production; minimal fruit litter, attractive bark, and excellent heat and drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage can cause […]
Sweet Bubba Desert Willow
A heat-loving desert willow selection with narrow green leaves and showy, fragrant purple flowers; well suited to Phoenix desert landscapes. Special Features Fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinators; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Overwatering and poor drainage can cause root problems; allow soil to dry between waterings. Occasional […]
Texas Olive
A heat-loving small tree native to southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, with broad, velvety leaves, showy white flowers, and olive-like fruits; not a true olive. Special Features Showy flowers attract pollinators; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established. Olive-like fruits attract wildlife. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and young branches; choose […]
Texas Mountain Laurel
A slow-growing evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, leathery leaves and fragrant purple flower clusters; well suited to Phoenix desert landscapes. Special Features Highly fragrant flowers with a grape-soda scent; heat and drought tolerant once established; attracts bees. All parts are toxic if ingested, especially the bright red seeds. Problems & Solutions Genista caterpillars […]
Texas Ebony
Texas ebony (Ebenopsis ebano, formerly Pithecellobium flexicaule) is a thorny, heat-tolerant tree with dense, finely divided foliage, zigzag branches, and persistent woody seedpods. Special Features Excellent heat and drought tolerance; dense shade, fragrant flowers that attract bees, and distinctive dark bark and woody pods. Problems & Solutions Sharp thorns require placement away from walkways and […]