Purple Prairie Clover
A native prairie legume with slender stems and dense, thimble-shaped clusters of bright purple flowers. Attracts bees and butterflies and fixes nitrogen. A Great Plains species better adapted to milder summers; low-desert performance is uncertain. Special Features Nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil; excellent pollinator plant; drought tolerant once established. Problems & Solutions Root rot in poorly […]
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 […]
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 […]
Salvia ‘Ignition Purple’
A compact, shrubby salvia with aromatic green foliage and abundant vivid purple flowers; well suited to Phoenix gardens with afternoon shade. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies; aromatic foliage; heat tolerant and moderately drought tolerant once established. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage and overwatering can cause root rot; allow soil to dry partially between […]
Salvia ‘Vibe Ignition Purple’
A compact, shrubby hybrid sage commonly sold as VIBE Ignition Purple, with aromatic green foliage and abundant vivid purple flowers. Special Features Aromatic foliage; attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies; heat tolerant and moderately drought tolerant once established. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage can cause root rot; avoid constantly wet soil. Extreme reflected heat can scorch […]
Trailing Indigo Bush
A low-growing desert groundcover with trailing stems, fine-textured silvery foliage, and small purple flowers; well suited to Phoenix heat. Special Features Heat and drought tolerant; attracts bees and other pollinators; trailing stems can root where they touch soil, helping stabilize slopes. Problems & Solutions Overwatering or poor drainage can cause root rot; allow soil to […]
Artichoke
A bold, edible perennial with deeply lobed, silvery leaves and large flower buds harvested as globe artichokes; best grown as a cool-season crop in Phoenix. Special Features Edible immature flower buds; striking architectural foliage; open flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat can cause wilting, poor buds, and summer dieback; provide […]