Silver Peso Texas Mountain Laurel
Evergreen desert small tree or large shrub (Texas mountain laurel) prized for silvery, felted new foliage and pendant, grape-like clusters of intensely fragrant violet-purple flowers in late winter. Well adapted to the low desert, tolerating heat, drought, and alkaline soils once established. Special Features Silvery felted new foliage; intensely grape-scented violet-purple flowers; evergreen; well-adapted low-desert […]
Spiral Blue Point Juniper
An upright Chinese juniper with dense blue-green foliage, trained and clipped into a decorative spiral. The spiral shape requires ongoing pruning. Special Features Sculptural topiary form; blue-green foliage year-round; drought tolerant once established, though supplemental irrigation is important in Phoenix heat. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat and reflected sun can cause browning; choose a protected […]
Swan Hill Olive
A nearly fruitless olive cultivar with silvery evergreen foliage, a broad canopy, and a picturesque trunk that becomes gnarled with age; well suited to Phoenix landscapes. Special Features Essentially fruitless with very low pollen production; minimal fruit litter, attractive bark, and excellent heat and drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage can cause […]
Sweet Bubba Desert Willow
A heat-loving desert willow selection with narrow green leaves and showy, fragrant purple flowers; well suited to Phoenix desert landscapes. Special Features Fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinators; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Overwatering and poor drainage can cause root problems; allow soil to dry between waterings. Occasional […]
Texas Ebony
Texas ebony (Ebenopsis ebano, formerly Pithecellobium flexicaule) is a thorny, heat-tolerant tree with dense, finely divided foliage, zigzag branches, and persistent woody seedpods. Special Features Excellent heat and drought tolerance; dense shade, fragrant flowers that attract bees, and distinctive dark bark and woody pods. Problems & Solutions Sharp thorns require placement away from walkways and […]
Texas Mountain Laurel
A slow-growing evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, leathery leaves and fragrant purple flower clusters; well suited to Phoenix desert landscapes. Special Features Highly fragrant flowers with a grape-soda scent; heat and drought tolerant once established; attracts bees. All parts are toxic if ingested, especially the bright red seeds. Problems & Solutions Genista caterpillars […]
Texas Olive
A heat-loving small tree native to southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, with broad, velvety leaves, showy white flowers, and olive-like fruits; not a true olive. Special Features Showy flowers attract pollinators; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established. Olive-like fruits attract wildlife. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and young branches; choose […]
Tipu
A large South American shade tree with a broad canopy, feathery foliage, and abundant golden-yellow flowers; well suited to spacious Phoenix landscapes. Special Features Broad shade canopy; showy flowers attract bees; tolerates intense heat and some drought once established. Problems & Solutions Large surface roots can lift pavement; plant well away from foundations, sidewalks, and […]
Tuscarora Crape Myrtle
A heat-tolerant flowering tree with coral-pink summer blooms, attractive exfoliating bark, and orange-red fall color. ‘Tuscarora’ is a Lagerstroemia indica × fauriei hybrid. Special Features Large coral-pink flower clusters; cinnamon-tan exfoliating bark; colorful fall foliage; good powdery mildew resistance. Problems & Solutions Aphids can cause sticky honeydew and sooty mold; encourage beneficial insects or wash […]
Weeping Acacia
An Australian evergreen tree with gracefully weeping branches and narrow, silvery blue-gray foliage; well suited to Phoenix’s hot, dry climate. Special Features Elegant weeping form; silvery foliage; heat and drought tolerance; thornless branches. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage and excessive irrigation can cause root problems; allow soil to dry between deep waterings. Train young trees […]