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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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); […]
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 […]
Ponytail Palm
A sculptural succulent tree with a swollen, water-storing trunk and cascading tufts of narrow leaves. Commonly called ponytail palm, it is not a true palm; its accepted botanical name is Beaucarnea recurvata. Special Features Distinctive bulbous trunk, fountainlike foliage, and excellent drought tolerance once established; well suited to containers. Problems & Solutions Root and trunk […]
Prickly Pear Baby Rita
A compact beavertail-type prickly pear with rounded, flattened blue-gray pads that develop attractive purple tones, especially during cool weather or drought. Special Features Compact size; colorful purple-blushed pads; excellent heat and drought tolerance; flowers attract native bees. Problems & Solutions Overwatering or poor drainage can cause rot; let soil dry thoroughly. Cochineal scale may appear […]
Prickly Pear Black Spine
A compact prickly pear cactus with blue-green pads that develop purple tones and striking, long, dark spines concentrated near the upper pad edges. Special Features Distinctive blackish spines and seasonal purple coloration; heat and drought tolerant; flowers attract native bees. Problems & Solutions Overwatering or poor drainage can cause root and pad rot; let soil […]