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 […]
Canary Island Date Palm
Large, stately palm native to the Canary Islands. Develops a thick, pineapple-textured trunk with age and dense arching fronds. Widely used as a specimen or street tree in warm desert climates. Special Features Bold tropical form with a distinctive pineapple-shaped trunk base; drought tolerant once established; effective as a large specimen or avenue tree. Problems […]
Pink Fairy Duster
A small, native desert shrub with finely divided leaves and delicate pink powder-puff flowers, well suited to Phoenix landscapes. Special Features Arizona native; heat and drought tolerant; attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies; thornless and low maintenance. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage and overwatering can cause root rot; let soil dry between waterings. Drought-related leaf drop […]
Cream de Mint Pittosporum
Compact evergreen shrub with variegated green-and-cream foliage and fragrant white spring flowers. Tolerates heat better than many variegated shrubs but scorches in unshaded reflected heat. Special Features Variegated cream-and-green foliage; fragrant flowers; salt tolerant; good low-water shrub once established Problems & Solutions Aphids and scale (insecticidal soap or horticultural oil); root rot in heavy, overwatered […]
Wheeler’s Dwarf Pittosporum
Compact, mounding evergreen shrub with dense, glossy dark green foliage and fragrant white to cream spring flowers. Well suited for low borders, mass plantings, and foundation use in low-desert landscapes. Special Features Fragrant flowers; salt tolerant; heat tolerant once established; dense foliage suppresses weeds Problems & Solutions Root rot if overwatered (ensure drainage); aphids and […]
Prickly Pear Cinnamon Bunny Ear
A compact prickly pear cactus with oval, bright green pads dotted with cinnamon-brown tufts of tiny, barbed bristles called glochids, creating a bunny-ear appearance. Special Features Distinctive cinnamon-colored glochids; heat and drought tolerant once established; sculptural pads provide year-round interest. Problems & Solutions Overwatering causes root and pad rot; improve drainage and let soil dry […]
Prickly Pear Blind
A shrubby prickly pear with rounded, blue-gray pads dotted with cinnamon-brown glochids—tiny, barbed bristles. Despite lacking long spines, it is not safe to touch. Special Features Distinctive rounded pads and rusty-brown glochid clusters; highly heat and drought tolerant; flowers attract pollinators. Problems & Solutions Overwatering causes root and pad rot; provide excellent drainage and allow […]
Prickly Pear Santa Rita
A shrubby prickly pear cactus with rounded, blue-gray pads that develop striking purple and pink tones, especially during cool weather or drought. Commonly sold as Santa Rita prickly pear. Special Features Distinctive purple coloration; highly heat and drought tolerant; flowers attract native bees, and fruits provide wildlife food. Problems & Solutions Overwatering causes root and […]
Prickly Pear Purple
A Southwestern prickly pear with flattened blue-green pads that develop purple tones, especially during cool weather or drought, and long, dark spines near the upper pad edges. Special Features Seasonal purple coloration; exceptional drought tolerance; heat tolerant and cold hardy in Zone 9b; flowers attract native bees. Problems & Solutions Overwatering or poor drainage can […]
Prickly Pear Engelmann’s
A Sonoran Desert native cactus with broad, flattened green pads, prominent spines, and colorful edible fruits. Special Features Excellent heat and drought tolerance; attracts native bees; fruits feed birds and mammals. Pads and fruits are edible after careful removal of spines and glochids. Problems & Solutions Overwatering causes root and pad rot; improve drainage and […]