Low to moderate water once established; water deeply and let the upper soil dry between irrigations. Provide regular establishment watering and supplemental deep watering during Phoenix's hottest months.
Size
12-15 ft tall × 12-15 ft wide
Habit
Upright tree – multi-trunk
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Description
Small, drought-adapted ornamental tree native to northeastern Mexico and southwestern Texas, with rounded, leathery leaves and showy spring flowers on bare branches.
Autumn sage, Blackfoot daisy, Damianita, Deer grass, Red yucca
Non-toxic
Non-toxic
Care Instructions
Light: Full sun to partial shade; in Phoenix, morning sun with afternoon shade is preferred. Avoid intense reflected heat from west-facing walls and pavement.
Water: Low to moderate water once established; water deeply and let the upper soil dry between irrigations. Provide regular establishment watering and supplemental deep watering during Phoenix’s hottest months.
Soil: Well-drained sandy, loamy, or rocky soil; tolerates alkaline and limestone soils. Avoid persistently wet soil and poorly drained planting sites.
Mature size: Usually 10–15 feet tall and wide; occasionally reaches about 20 feet under favorable conditions.
Bloom: Late winter to early spring, typically February–March in Phoenix, before or as leaves emerge.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous.
Growth rate: Slow to moderate, depending on water availability and growing conditions.