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, […]
Tropical Bird of Paradise
A clumping tropical perennial with upright, banana-like leaves and striking orange-and-blue flowers resembling exotic birds. Special Features Dramatic tropical foliage; distinctive, long-lasting cut flowers; suitable for sheltered patios and large containers. Problems & Solutions Extreme sun and reflected heat scorch leaves (provide afternoon shade); frost damages foliage and flowers (use frost cloth during freezes). Poor […]
Tulbaghia Vio Tricolor
A compact, clumping society garlic with narrow, arching leaves striped green and cream, often flushed pink, and clusters of lavender flowers. Special Features Colorful variegated foliage; garlic-scented leaves when crushed; tolerates some drought once established and attracts pollinators. Problems & Solutions Leaf scorch in intense sun (provide afternoon shade); root rot in wet soil (improve […]
Tropical Milkweed
A fast-growing, nonnative milkweed with slender stems, narrow leaves, and vivid red-and-orange flowers with yellow crowns; attracts butterflies and supports monarch caterpillars. Special Features Monarch and queen butterfly host plant; nectar source for butterflies and other pollinators; long flowering season. Problems & Solutions Persistent foliage can harbor spores of the monarch parasite OE and encourage […]
Acanthus ‘Oak Leaf’
A bold, clump-forming perennial with large, deeply lobed, oak-like leaves and upright flower spikes. Best suited to a sheltered, irrigated shade garden in Phoenix rather than an exposed desert landscape. Special Features Architectural foliage; showy vertical flower spikes; useful texture for shaded gardens. Established roots tolerate seasonal drought, usually by becoming dormant. Problems & Solutions […]
Agapanthus Blue Storm
A compact African lily with arching, strap-shaped green leaves and rounded clusters of soft blue flowers on upright stalks. Special Features Compact, clumping growth; repeat-blooming potential; attractive cut flowers; tolerates some drought once established but flowers best with consistent moisture. Problems & Solutions Phoenix afternoon sun can scorch leaves; provide afternoon shade. Poor drainage causes […]
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 […]
Black-Eyed Susan
A cheerful, short-lived wildflower with rough, hairy leaves and golden daisy-like blooms surrounding dark centers. Often grown as a seasonal annual in Phoenix because extreme summer heat can shorten its life. Special Features Attracts bees and butterflies; seed heads provide food for birds. Good cut flower; may self-sow when some flowers are left to seed. […]
Black-Eyed Susan Orange
A robust, short-lived perennial often grown as an annual, with large golden-yellow to orange-yellow daisies and dark brown centers. Best treated as a seasonal flowering plant in Phoenix. Special Features Attracts pollinators; seed heads feed birds. Excellent cut flower; may self-sow, though seedlings may differ from the parent cultivar. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat and […]
Gaura Pink
An airy, clump-forming perennial with slender, arching stems bearing rosy-pink flowers that resemble fluttering butterflies. Special Features Heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established; attracts bees and butterflies; airy flowers provide movement and a long season of color. Problems & Solutions Root rot in wet soil (improve drainage and avoid overwatering); sparse flowering or scorched […]