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. […]
Passion Flower Vine
A vigorous hybrid passionflower vine (Passiflora alata × P. caerulea) with lush, lobed leaves and intricate, fragrant pinkish-white and purple flowers. Special Features Exotic, fragrant flowers; attracts pollinators; tendrils quickly cover trellises and arbors. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat can scorch foliage (provide afternoon shade and consistent moisture); frost can damage growth (plant in a […]
Passion Vine, Fruiting
A vigorous subtropical vine with glossy, lobed leaves, intricate flowers, and aromatic passion fruit containing juicy, seed-filled pulp. Requires protection from Phoenix’s extreme heat and winter freezes. Special Features Edible ripe fruit; elaborate, fragrant flowers; attracts pollinators. Purple-fruited cultivars generally tolerate more cold than yellow-fruited types. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat can scorch foliage 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 […]
Pindo Palm
A cold-hardy feather palm with arching, blue-gray fronds and edible, aromatic fruit used for jelly. Commonly sold as Butia capitata, landscape pindo palms are usually Butia odorata. Special Features Edible jelly-making fruit; graceful, recurved fronds; good cold tolerance for Zone 9b; moderate drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Extreme desert heat, reflected sun, and […]
Petite Pink Oleander Tree
A dwarf pink-flowering oleander trained into a small tree, with a rounded evergreen canopy and excellent tolerance of Phoenix heat. Special Features Compact size; long flowering season; heat, drought, and reflected-heat tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions All parts are highly poisonous if ingested; keep away from children and pets, wear gloves when pruning, and […]
Petite Red Oleander Shrub
A compact oleander cultivar with showy red flower clusters and narrow, leathery green leaves, well suited to Phoenix heat. Special Features Compact size; long flowering season; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established. All parts are highly poisonous if ingested. Problems & Solutions Aphids and scale may occur; monitor and treat with labeled […]
Petite White Oleander Shrub
A compact white-flowering oleander with narrow, leathery leaves and abundant summer blooms, well suited to Phoenix heat. Special Features Compact size; excellent heat tolerance; drought tolerant once established; tolerates reflected heat and urban conditions. All parts are highly poisonous if ingested. Problems & Solutions Aphids and scale may occur; use strong water sprays for aphids […]
Philippine Red Guava
A tropical fruiting guava prized for reddish-bronze foliage and aromatic, red-skinned fruit with pink to red flesh. In Phoenix, it needs protection from severe summer exposure and winter freezes. Special Features Edible, fragrant fruit; ornamental reddish foliage; attractive exfoliating bark. Generally self-fruitful, though insect pollination improves fruit set. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage […]
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 […]