Firecracker Penstemon
A Southwestern native perennial with upright spikes of brilliant red tubular flowers above a low clump of leathery green leaves. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds and native pollinators; drought tolerant, cold hardy, and well suited to low-water gardens. Problems & Solutions Root and crown rot in wet soil: improve drainage and keep mulch away from the […]
Parry’s Penstemon
A Sonoran Desert native perennial with blue-green foliage and airy spikes of bright pink tubular flowers; well suited to Phoenix desert gardens. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds and native bees; drought tolerant, desert adapted, and readily self-seeds in suitable conditions. Problems & Solutions Root and crown rot can occur in wet soil; ensure excellent drainage and […]
Russian Sage ‘Blue Jean’
Russian sage cultivar with upright, airy stems and fine-textured silvery foliage. Produces spikes of small lavender-blue flowers in summer and fall. Tolerates heat, drought, and alkaline soils once established. Special Features Drought tolerant once established; deer resistant; attracts bees and butterflies; silvery stems provide winter interest; aromatic foliage. Problems & Solutions Root rot in poorly […]
Partridge Breast Aloe
Compact southern African succulent with thick, triangular leaves arranged in three ranks and marked with distinctive white bands and spots. Special Features Striking patterned foliage; compact size; drought tolerant once established; flowers attract hummingbirds. Problems & Solutions Prone to root and crown rot in wet soil; provide excellent drainage and avoid water collecting among leaves. […]
Pecan ‘Western Schley’
A large, deciduous pecan cultivar widely grown in the Southwest, producing flavorful, thin-shelled nuts. Well suited to Phoenix heat when given ample irrigation and room to develop. Special Features Edible, thin-shelled pecans; substantial summer shade; adapted to Southwestern heat. A Type I pollen-shedding cultivar; planting a compatible Type II cultivar such as Wichita improves pollination […]
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 […]
Fraser Photinia
A broadleaf evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and brilliant red new growth that matures to dark green. Often called red-tip photinia; Phoenix’s extreme heat and alkaline soils can make it challenging to grow. Special Features Vivid red new foliage, glossy mature leaves, and dense screening growth; tolerates selective pruning. Problems & Solutions Leaf scorch and […]
Blue Torch Cactus
Columnar cactus native to Brazil, known for its striking blue-green stem and dense white to golden wool at the apex and along the ribs. Produces nocturnal pink to red flowers and grows as a tall, branching column in warm desert landscapes. Special Features Striking blue-green stem color; dense white woolly trichomes at growing points; nocturnal […]
Peruvian Apple Cactus
A tall, branching South American cactus with ribbed, blue-green stems, large night-blooming flowers, and edible fruit; commonly sold as Cereus peruvianus or Cereus repandus. Special Features Dramatic vertical form; excellent heat and drought tolerance; edible pink-red fruit with sweet white flesh and small black seeds; attracts nocturnal pollinators. Problems & Solutions Root and stem rot […]
Peruvian Old Man Cactus
A columnar cactus native to Ecuador and Peru, with ribbed green stems densely covered in white, woolly hairs that conceal sharp spines. Special Features Distinctive white woolly covering; drought tolerant once established; striking vertical accent. Problems & Solutions Root and stem rot (improve drainage and reduce watering); sunburn in intense Phoenix exposure (provide afternoon shade); […]