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 […]
Red Push
A heat-tolerant hybrid pistache shade tree prized for its copper-red new growth, dense green canopy, and seasonal fall color; well suited to Phoenix landscapes. Special Features Copper-red spring growth; yellow, orange, or red fall foliage; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established. Fall color varies with weather and site conditions. Problems & Solutions […]
Rubber Tree (Rubber Plant)
The nursery Rubber Tree is Ficus elastica, a tropical evergreen grown chiefly as a houseplant for its large, glossy, leathery leaves. It is frost-tender and not suited to outdoor exposure in the low desert; keep it indoors or on a shaded patio in bright, indirect light. (Note: the commercial latex tree Hevea brasiliensis is a […]
Ruby Red Euphorbia
An upright, branching succulent, Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ has three-sided stems, short paired spines, and burgundy-red leaves. Often called African milk tree, it is not a true cactus. Special Features Sculptural burgundy coloration; drought tolerant once established; easily grown in containers. Milky sap is toxic and irritating. Problems & Solutions Not reliably hardy outdoors in Zone […]
Sago Palm – LG
An ancient, palm-like cycad with stiff, glossy, feather-shaped fronds forming a symmetrical crown above a stout trunk; not a true palm. Special Features Architectural form, symmetrical foliage, and excellent container potential. All parts are highly toxic if ingested, especially the seeds; keep away from pets and children. Problems & Solutions Afternoon sun can scorch fronds; […]
Sago Palm – #25 or 24box
A slow-growing, palm-like cycad with stiff, glossy fronds forming a symmetrical crown above a stout trunk. Despite its common name, it is not a true palm. Special Features Architectural form, glossy foliage, and excellent container potential. All parts are highly toxic if ingested, especially the seeds; keep away from pets and children. Problems & Solutions […]
Sago Palm XL
An ancient, palm-like cycad with stiff, arching fronds and a stout trunk. XL indicates nursery size, not a distinct variety. Special Features Bold architectural foliage; drought tolerant once established; suitable for containers. All parts are highly poisonous to people and pets, especially the seeds. Problems & Solutions Afternoon sun and reflected heat can scorch fronds; […]
Dwarf Schefflera (Arboricola)
Tropical shrub with glossy, dark green compound leaves arranged in an umbrella-like pattern. Used as a landscape shrub only in frost-protected shade, or as a container and interior plant. Frost tender in the low desert. Special Features Glossy tropical foliage; tolerates heavy pruning and shaping; tolerates low interior light; good container and screen plant in […]
Spiral Blue Point Juniper
An upright Chinese juniper with dense blue-green foliage, trained and clipped into a decorative spiral. The spiral shape requires ongoing pruning. Special Features Sculptural topiary form; blue-green foliage year-round; drought tolerant once established, though supplemental irrigation is important in Phoenix heat. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat and reflected sun can cause browning; choose a protected […]
Stromanthe ‘Triostar’
A tropical foliage perennial with elongated leaves patterned in green, cream, and pink, with burgundy undersides. Best grown indoors in Phoenix rather than as a permanent outdoor landscape plant. Special Features Striking tricolor foliage; leaves shift position with the day-night cycle. Generally considered nontoxic to cats and dogs. Problems & Solutions Phoenix heat, dry air, […]