San Pedro Cactus
Tall, fast-growing columnar cactus native to the Andes, grown in desert landscapes for its striking vertical form. Produces large, fragrant white flowers that open at night. Note: stems contain psychoactive alkaloids (mescaline). Special Features Dramatic columnar accent; large nocturnal blooms attract moths; fast-growing for a cactus; drought tolerant once established; largely spineless Problems & Solutions […]
Shark Skin Agave
A sculptural agave with thick, rigid, triangular leaves and a rough, sharkskin-like texture. Usually sold as Agave ‘Sharkskin’, a hybrid with Agave scabra (also called A. asperrima) parentage rather than pure A. scabra. Special Features Bold architectural form; distinctive textured leaves; excellent heat and drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Overwatering and poor drainage […]
Silver Lady Slipper (Slipper Plant)
Succulent shrub native to the Sonoran Desert with upright, gray-green to silvery, nearly leafless stems and small slipper-shaped red flowers at the stem tips. Well adapted to hot, arid, low-desert conditions and reflected heat. Special Features Drought tolerant once established; excellent heat and reflected-sun tolerance; attracts hummingbirds; sculptural leafless stems Problems & Solutions Overwatering causes […]
Senecio Skyscraper ‘Mount Everest’
Striking succulent with powdery blue-green cylindrical leaves on upright stems forming a dense, architectural mound. Excellent container or accent plant for low-water landscapes. Frost-tender and best sited in a warm, protected exposure. Special Features Striking blue-gray foliage; drought tolerant once established; year-round color and texture; deer resistant Problems & Solutions Root rot in poorly drained […]
Senecio The Blues (Blue Chalksticks)
Low-growing succulent groundcover with striking blue-gray cylindrical leaves that spreads readily and provides bold color contrast in desert landscapes. Tolerates heat and reflected sun well and roots along the stems as it spreads. Special Features Striking blue-gray foliage for year-round color; excellent groundcover for slopes and rock gardens; drought tolerant once established Problems & Solutions […]
Senita
A branching Sonoran Desert cactus with upright, ribbed green stems. Mature stems develop dense, shaggy gray spines near their tips, giving senita its distinctive old-man appearance. Special Features Distinctive shaggy gray spines on mature stems; excellent heat and drought tolerance; flowers attract nocturnal pollinators, including the specialized senita moth in its native habitat. Problems & […]
Smooth Edge Agave
A graceful agave with arching, fleshy green leaves, mostly smooth margins, and a sharp terminal spine. Special Features Elegant architectural form; mostly toothless leaf margins; drought tolerant once established; produces offsets and often plantlets on the flower stalk. Problems & Solutions Susceptible to agave snout weevil; inspect for sudden wilting or basal collapse and remove […]
Silver Torch
A slender, upright cactus native to mountainous South America, with green stems densely covered in silvery-white spines that create a soft, woolly appearance. Special Features Striking silver-white stems; drought tolerant once established; flowers attract hummingbirds. Problems & Solutions Root rot from excess moisture (improve drainage and let soil dry); sunburn and heat stress in Phoenix […]
Staghorn Cholla
A branching Sonoran Desert cactus with antler-like, jointed stems, prominent spines, and unusually variable flower colors. Special Features Exceptional heat and drought tolerance; sculptural branching; flowers attract native bees, and dense branches provide bird shelter. Problems & Solutions Root rot from excess moisture: improve drainage and avoid frequent irrigation. Sharp, barbed spines and detachable joints: […]
Spiral Cereus
A sculptural columnar cactus, Cereus forbesii ‘Spiralis’, with blue-green stems and prominent ribs that twist into distinctive corkscrew spirals. Special Features Unusual spiral stems; strong architectural form; drought tolerant once established; large night-opening flowers. Problems & Solutions Overwatering causes root and stem rot; ensure excellent drainage. Intense afternoon sun can scorch stems; provide shade and […]