Austral Gem Asplenium
A compact hybrid fern with thick, glossy, finely divided fronds. More tolerant of dry indoor air than many ferns, but not suited to exposed Phoenix desert conditions. Special Features Leathery, lustrous fronds; compact form; relatively tolerant of low humidity compared with many other ferns. Problems & Solutions Phoenix sun, hot winds, and extreme heat can […]
Arborvitae Westmont
A compact Oriental arborvitae with dense, upright sprays of scale-like foliage and yellow-green new growth. Can grow in Phoenix with protection from reflected heat and consistent irrigation. Special Features Compact form, finely textured foliage, golden-green growth tips, and year-round structure. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat and dry soil can cause browning; provide afternoon shade, mulch, […]
Arborvitae Nana Monrovia
A compact dwarf Oriental arborvitae with dense, upright sprays of scale-like green foliage. Suitable for sheltered Phoenix landscapes with irrigation and protection from intense afternoon heat. Special Features Compact form, fine-textured foliage, year-round structure, and good tolerance of alkaline soil. Not a low-water desert native. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat, reflected sun, and dry soil […]
Arborvitae Dwarf
A slow-growing dwarf conifer with dense, upright sprays of golden-yellow, scale-like foliage. Forms a rounded to egg-shaped shrub; needs protection from Phoenix’s harshest summer exposure. Special Features Compact form, golden foliage, and year-round structure; tolerates pruning lightly and is generally unappealing to deer. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat and drought can scorch foliage (provide afternoon […]
Arborvitae
An evergreen conifer, also called Oriental arborvitae, with dense, upright sprays of scale-like foliage. Adaptable to Phoenix landscapes with adequate irrigation and protection from intense reflected heat. Special Features Dense screening foliage; tolerates heat, alkaline soils, and some drought once established, but requires supplemental water in Phoenix. Problems & Solutions Summer scorch and browning: provide […]
Arborvitae Emerald Green
A narrow, upright conifer with dense, emerald-green, scale-like foliage. Typically suited to USDA Zones 3–8; generally not recommended for Phoenix because extreme summer heat, dry air, and alkaline or saline conditions can cause chronic stress. Special Features Naturally narrow form, dense screening foliage, and good winter color in suitable climates; requires little shaping. Not reliably […]
Buddha’s Belly Bamboo
A clumping bamboo with arching leafy canes that can develop swollen, belly-like internodes. The characteristic bulges are most pronounced in root-restricted or mildly stressed plants; freely growing landscape plants often have straight canes. Special Features Distinctive swollen canes; non-running, clumping growth; attractive foliage and useful screening. Especially suitable for containers and bonsai-style training. Problems & […]
Burgundy Rubber Plant
A tropical evergreen with large, thick, glossy leaves in deep burgundy-green to nearly black tones. Best grown indoors or in movable containers in Phoenix; not reliably winter-hardy outdoors in Zone 9b. Special Features Bold, architectural foliage; rich burgundy coloration; suitable for indoor specimen planting and sheltered patio containers. Problems & Solutions Phoenix sun and reflected […]
Codiaeum Variegatum Gold Dust
A tropical shrub with glossy, leathery green leaves heavily speckled with golden yellow. In Phoenix, best grown in a movable container rather than as a permanent outdoor shrub. Special Features Striking gold-speckled foliage provides year-round tropical color; well suited to decorative containers. Not frost hardy or drought tolerant. Problems & Solutions Phoenix frost, dry air, […]
Dracaena Deremensis
A tropical, cane-forming foliage plant with arching, strap-shaped leaves. Formerly classified as Dracaena deremensis, these cultivars are now included in Dracaena fragrans. Special Features Attractive foliage; tolerates lower indoor light; well suited to containers. Not frost hardy or adapted to exposed desert conditions. Problems & Solutions Phoenix sun and dry heat can scorch leaves; provide […]