Russian Sage ‘Blue Jean’
Russian sage cultivar with upright, airy stems and fine-textured silvery foliage. Produces spikes of small lavender-blue flowers in summer and fall. Tolerates heat, drought, and alkaline soils once established. Special Features Drought tolerant once established; deer resistant; attracts bees and butterflies; silvery stems provide winter interest; aromatic foliage. Problems & Solutions Root rot in poorly […]
Pink Autumn Sage
A compact, woody perennial shrub with aromatic green leaves and abundant pink flowers, well suited to Phoenix gardens with afternoon shade. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies; aromatic foliage; heat and drought tolerant once established. Problems & Solutions Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage and avoid overwatering. Summer stress near hot walls or […]
Pink Fairy Duster
A small, native desert shrub with finely divided leaves and delicate pink powder-puff flowers, well suited to Phoenix landscapes. Special Features Arizona native; heat and drought tolerant; attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies; thornless and low maintenance. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage and overwatering can cause root rot; let soil dry between waterings. Drought-related leaf drop […]
Red Bird of Paradise
A fast-growing, heat-loving shrub with ferny foliage and brilliant orange-red flowers from late spring through fall. In the low desert it freezes to the ground most winters and regrows vigorously from the roots. A reliable summer-color workhorse. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; blooms through peak summer heat; extremely heat tolerant; low water Problems & […]
Red Fairy Duster
Red fairy duster (Calliandra californica) is a heat-loving shrub native to Baja California, with fine-textured foliage and bright red, powder-puff flowers. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage and overwatering can cause root rot; allow soil to dry between waterings. Freezes can […]
Bougainvillea ‘Royal Purple’
A vigorous, thorny climbing shrub with deep green foliage and rich purple, papery bracts surrounding tiny flowers; well suited to warm, sheltered Phoenix landscapes. Special Features Brilliant, long-lasting bract displays; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established; trainable on sturdy supports. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; choose a sheltered […]
Bougainvillea ‘Ruby Red’
A thorny, heat-loving bougainvillea grown as a bush, with deep green foliage and showy ruby-red bracts surrounding tiny flowers. Special Features Vivid, long-lasting bract displays; excellent heat tolerance and good drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; use frost cloth and a warm, sheltered location. Prevent root rot with […]
Firecracker Plant (Coral Fountain)
A fountain-like shrub with slender, rush-like green stems that arch and cascade outward. Produces tubular scarlet flowers over a long warm season and is highly attractive to hummingbirds. Performs reliably in low-desert Phoenix heat. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; heat and drought tolerant once established; long bloom season; excellent cascading over walls, slopes, and […]
Russian Sage
Russian sage (Salvia yangii, formerly Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a drought-tolerant, woody-based perennial with aromatic silvery foliage and airy lavender-blue flower spikes. Special Features Heat and drought tolerant once established; fragrant foliage; attracts bees and butterflies; generally resistant to deer and rabbits. Problems & Solutions Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage and reduce watering. Floppy […]
Autumn Sage ‘Sierra Linda’
A compact, heat-tolerant autumn sage producing abundant red to coral-pink flowers over a long season. Performs well in low-water landscapes and attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Special Features Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; deer resistant; long bloom season; heat and drought tolerant once established Problems & Solutions Becomes woody with age (cut back by one-third in late […]