Blue Torch Cactus (Azureus)
A Brazilian columnar cactus with vivid blue, ribbed stems, golden spines, and woolly areoles. Commonly sold as Pilosocereus azureus, often treated as Pilosocereus pachycladus. Special Features Striking powder-blue stems; sculptural vertical accent; heat and drought tolerant once established, but frost tender. Problems & Solutions Freezing temperatures can scar or kill stems; protect when temperatures approach […]
Blueberry
An edible shrub producing sweet blue berries. Challenging in Phoenix because of extreme heat, alkaline soil, and alkaline irrigation water; choose low-chill southern highbush cultivars rather than standard northern highbush types. Special Features Edible fruit, ornamental spring flowers, and potential fall color. Plant two compatible low-chill cultivars with overlapping bloom times for improved fruit set. […]
Blue Columnar Cactus
A striking Brazilian columnar cactus with powdery blue, ribbed stems, golden spines, and an upright, branching form. Special Features Vivid blue stems; sculptural vertical accent; heat and drought tolerant once established. Problems & Solutions Frost tender and marginal outdoors in Zone 9b; protect when temperatures approach freezing, and move containers under shelter. Prevent root rot […]
Jubilee Southern Highbush Blueberry
A southern highbush blueberry with sweet, medium-sized blue berries and an upright form. Despite its southern adaptation, ‘Jubilee’ is challenging in Phoenix because of alkaline soil, extreme summer heat, and insufficient winter chill. Special Features Edible berries, attractive spring flowers, and potential red fall foliage. Self-fertile, but a compatible southern highbush blueberry with overlapping bloom […]