Plumbago Blue
A sprawling South African shrub with soft green foliage and clusters of sky-blue flowers; well suited to sheltered Phoenix gardens with supplemental irrigation. Special Features Long flowering season; attracts butterflies; tolerates heat and some drought once established, though regular irrigation improves appearance and flowering. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat and reflected sun can scorch foliage […]
Pink Trumpet Vine
Vigorous, woody climbing shrub with glossy, divided leaves and clusters of pink trumpet-shaped flowers; well suited to sheltered Phoenix gardens with irrigation. Special Features Showy, lightly fragrant flowers attract pollinators; heat tolerant with adequate water and somewhat drought tolerant once established. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; plant in a protected location […]
Blue Potato Bush
Fast-growing, loosely arching evergreen shrub producing violet-blue flowers nearly year-round in warm climates. Used as a specimen shrub, espalier, or trained standard. Tolerates Phoenix heat with regular water and afternoon shade. Special Features Long bloom season with showy violet-blue flowers; can be trained as a standard or espalier; attracts butterflies and bees Problems & Solutions […]
Purple Sky Flower
A fast-growing tropical shrub with arching branches, cascading purple-blue flowers, and ornamental golden berries; best in a sheltered Phoenix garden. Special Features Attracts butterflies and other pollinators; showy golden berries follow flowers. Established plants tolerate heat with adequate irrigation. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; plant in a protected location, cover during […]
Tropical Hibiscus
Tropical shrub valued for large, showy flowers in many colors. Performs in low-desert heat only with regular water and afternoon shade; reflected west sun scorches foliage. Frost-tender and often used as a specimen, informal hedge, or container plant. Special Features Large tropical flowers; attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; can be trained as a small standard Problems […]
Ruellia Brittoniana
Mexican petunia, botanically accepted as Ruellia simplex, is a vigorous perennial with upright stems, narrow leaves, and abundant trumpet-shaped flowers. Special Features Heat tolerant; attracts bees and butterflies; tolerates varied soils and periodic drought once established. Problems & Solutions Spreads aggressively by rhizomes and, in fertile varieties, seed. Use containers or contained beds and remove […]
Ruellia Britt Purple
A heat-tolerant perennial commonly called purple Mexican petunia, with slender, lance-shaped leaves and abundant trumpet-shaped flowers. Ruellia brittoniana is now generally classified as Ruellia simplex. Special Features Heat tolerant; attracts bees and butterflies; provides a long season of purple flowers; tolerates varied growing conditions. Problems & Solutions Can spread aggressively by rhizomes and seed; contain […]
Ruellia Britt White
White-flowering Mexican petunia, commonly sold as Ruellia brittoniana ‘White’ and botanically classified under Ruellia simplex. An upright perennial with narrow leaves and abundant trumpet-shaped flowers. Special Features Heat tolerant; attracts bees and butterflies; long flowering season; tolerates occasional wet soil and some drought once established. Problems & Solutions Can spread aggressively by rhizomes and, in […]
Sky Flower White
A fast-growing tropical shrub with arching branches, fresh green foliage, cascading white flowers, and ornamental golden berries. Special Features Attracts butterflies and other pollinators; showy white flower clusters and golden berries; responds well to pruning. Problems & Solutions Frost-sensitive: provide a sheltered site, cover during freezes, and delay pruning damaged stems until frost danger passes. […]
Sky White Flower Vine
White-flowering form of Duranta repens (syn. Duranta erecta), commonly called skyflower; a tropical-looking shrub with arching stems, white flower clusters, and golden berries. Often trained as a vine, but not self-climbing. Special Features Attracts butterflies and other pollinators; showy golden-orange berries follow flowers. Leaves and berries are toxic if ingested. Problems & Solutions Frost injury: […]