Petite Pink Oleander Tree
A dwarf pink-flowering oleander trained into a small tree, with a rounded evergreen canopy and excellent tolerance of Phoenix heat. Special Features Compact size; long flowering season; heat, drought, and reflected-heat tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions All parts are highly poisonous if ingested; keep away from children and pets, wear gloves when pruning, and […]
Pink Trumpet Tree
Tabebuia rosea is a tropical flowering tree, not naturally a bush, with showy pink trumpet-shaped flowers. It is frost-sensitive and is not reliably hardy in Phoenix Zone 9b; confirm the botanical name before purchasing. Special Features Spectacular seasonal flowers; attractive palmate foliage; flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Problems & Solutions Freezing temperatures can severely […]
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 […]
Coral Gum Eucalyptus
Small Australian eucalyptus with gray-green leaves, rough gray-brown bark, decorative ribbed coral-red flower buds, and showy pink to coral blooms; well suited to Phoenix desert landscapes. Special Features Heat and drought tolerant; distinctive coral-red buds and ornamental woody seed capsules; flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Problems & Solutions Poor drainage and frequent watering can […]
Flowering Plum
A small ornamental plum grown for early spring flowers and, in popular cultivars, rich purple foliage. Marginal in Phoenix’s extreme heat; best in a protected, irrigated landscape rather than a desert garden. Special Features Showy early flowers; purple-leaved cultivars provide strong foliage contrast. Flowers attract pollinators, and some trees produce small edible plums. Problems & […]
Flooded Gum Eucalyptus
A very large Australian forest tree with a straight trunk, smooth white to pale gray upper bark, and rough bark near the base. Despite its name, flooded gum prefers moist, well-drained soil and is not a drought-adapted desert tree. Special Features Fast growth, striking pale bark, aromatic foliage, and nectar-rich flowers that attract bees. Provides […]
Magnolia
Southern magnolia is a broadleaf evergreen tree with large, glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers. It can grow in Phoenix but requires protection from extreme heat, ample irrigation, and attention to alkaline soil. Special Features Highly fragrant flowers, glossy evergreen foliage, and cone-like fruit clusters displaying red seeds. Provides year-round screening but is not a […]
Silk Floss Tree
A subtropical specimen tree with a swollen green trunk studded with conical spines, palmate leaves, and showy pink flowers; best suited to warm, frost-sheltered Phoenix locations. Special Features Sculptural, water-storing trunk; striking bark spines; large ornamental flowers; seed capsules filled with silky fibers; heat tolerant and moderately drought tolerant once established. Problems & Solutions Young […]