Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade is best in Phoenix. Avoid reflected heat and intense western exposure; deep shade reduces variegation.
Water: Moderate water needs; not a true desert shrub. Water deeply, allowing the upper few inches of soil to dry between irrigations. Water more frequently during establishment and extreme summer heat.
Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates alkaline conditions. Add organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 6–10 feet tall and 4–6 feet wide if unpruned; can be maintained smaller with pruning.
Bloom: Small, inconspicuous flowers in late spring to early summer; flowering may be sparse on regularly clipped plants.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate.