Desert Lavender
A Sonoran Desert native shrub with aromatic, softly hairy, silvery-gray leaves and delicate lavender flowers; well adapted to Phoenix heat. Special Features Fragrant foliage; highly heat and drought tolerant; attracts native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage and excessive watering can cause root rot; allow soil to dry between irrigations. Hard […]
Goji Berry
A sprawling, sometimes thorny shrub with slender leaves, small purple flowers, and edible orange-red berries; productive in desert gardens with irrigation and protection from extreme afternoon heat. Special Features Edible berries eaten fresh or dried; generally self-fertile; attracts pollinators; tolerates heat and some drought once established. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat can scorch leaves and […]
Bougainvillea ‘Blueberry Ice’
A variegated bougainvillea with creamy-white and green foliage and lavender-to-purple bracts through the warm months. Root-hardy but freeze-tender in the low desert. Excellent for trellises, walls, and containers in hot climates. Special Features Variegated cream-and-green foliage; long-season lavender bracts; thrives in reflected heat; use as sprawling shrub, vine, or container plant Problems & Solutions Sharp […]
American Wisteria
American wisteria is a woody, deciduous climbing vine native to the southeastern United States, with cascading clusters of lavender flowers. It can grow in Zone 9b, but Phoenix’s extreme heat and dry air make it a challenging, higher-water choice. Special Features Attracts bees and other pollinators; less aggressive than Asian wisterias. Not a desert-adapted or […]