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 […]
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 […]
Fraser Photinia
A broadleaf evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and brilliant red new growth that matures to dark green. Often called red-tip photinia; Phoenix’s extreme heat and alkaline soils can make it challenging to grow. Special Features Vivid red new foliage, glossy mature leaves, and dense screening growth; tolerates selective pruning. Problems & Solutions Leaf scorch and […]
Pink Jasmine Vine
A vigorous, twining jasmine vine with dark green foliage and masses of intensely fragrant white flowers opening from pink buds. Best in a protected, cooler microclimate in Phoenix. Special Features Intensely fragrant flowers, showy pink buds, and rapid coverage of trellises; not a low-water desert vine. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat and afternoon sun can […]
Pink Lemon – Variegated
An ornamental Eureka lemon with cream-and-green variegated leaves, striped young fruit, and pink flesh. Ripe lemons have mostly yellow rinds and tart juice that is generally clear rather than pink. Special Features Pink-fleshed edible lemons, decorative striped immature fruit, variegated foliage, and fragrant flowers. Self-fruitful; one tree can produce fruit. Problems & Solutions Sunburn and […]
Pink Hibiscus
A tropical flowering shrub with glossy green leaves and large pink flowers; best grown in a sheltered, irrigated location in Phoenix. Special Features Showy tropical flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators; suitable for containers. Not drought tolerant or reliably frost hardy. Problems & Solutions Frost injury: cover during freezing weather and move containers to shelter. […]
Red Bells
Red Bells (Enkianthus deflexus) is a deciduous shrub with dangling, bell-shaped spring flowers and colorful autumn foliage. Native to Asian mountain regions, it is poorly suited to Phoenix’s extreme heat, dry air, and alkaline soils, despite potential winter-hardiness compatibility. Special Features Delicate bell-shaped flowers, attractive branching, and yellow, orange, or red fall foliage. Autumn color […]
Red Dragon Fruit
A tropical climbing cactus with three-sided green stems and edible, red-skinned dragon fruit. Selenicereus undatus typically has white flesh; red-fleshed dragon fruits are usually other species or hybrids. Special Features Edible fruit, spectacular fragrant night-blooming flowers, and aerial roots for climbing. More moisture-loving and less tolerant of desert sun than native desert cacti. Problems & […]
Red Hibiscus
A tropical shrub with glossy green foliage and large, showy red flowers; best grown in a sheltered, irrigated location in Phoenix. Special Features Showy tropical flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinators; suitable for containers. Not drought tolerant or reliably frost hardy in Zone 9b. Problems & Solutions Frost injury: cover during freezes or move containers under […]
Red Oak
Northern red oak is a large eastern North American shade tree with pointed, lobed leaves and acorns. Quercus rubra is poorly adapted to Phoenix’s extreme summer heat and alkaline soils, despite its cold hardiness. Special Features Broad shade canopy, wildlife-supporting acorns, and russet to red fall color in suitable climates. Fall color is unreliable in […]