Blue Torch Cactus
Columnar cactus native to Brazil, known for its striking blue-green stem and dense white to golden wool at the apex and along the ribs. Produces nocturnal pink to red flowers and grows as a tall, branching column in warm desert landscapes. Special Features Striking blue-green stem color; dense white woolly trichomes at growing points; nocturnal […]
Peruvian Old Man Cactus
A columnar cactus native to Ecuador and Peru, with ribbed green stems densely covered in white, woolly hairs that conceal sharp spines. Special Features Distinctive white woolly covering; drought tolerant once established; striking vertical accent. Problems & Solutions Root and stem rot (improve drainage and reduce watering); sunburn in intense Phoenix exposure (provide afternoon shade); […]
Bougainvillea Vine ‘Pink Pearl’
A vigorous, thorny bougainvillea vine with green foliage and showy, papery pink bracts surrounding tiny white flowers; well suited to warm, protected Phoenix gardens. Special Features Showy, long-lasting bracts; heat tolerant and drought tolerant once established; can be trained on supports or maintained in containers. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; choose […]
Peruvian Apple Cactus
A tall, branching South American cactus with ribbed, blue-green stems, large night-blooming flowers, and edible fruit; commonly sold as Cereus peruvianus or Cereus repandus. Special Features Dramatic vertical form; excellent heat and drought tolerance; edible pink-red fruit with sweet white flesh and small black seeds; attracts nocturnal pollinators. Problems & Solutions Root and stem rot […]
Canary Island Date Palm
Large, stately palm native to the Canary Islands. Develops a thick, pineapple-textured trunk with age and dense arching fronds. Widely used as a specimen or street tree in warm desert climates. Special Features Bold tropical form with a distinctive pineapple-shaped trunk base; drought tolerant once established; effective as a large specimen or avenue tree. Problems […]
Prickly Pear Black Spine
A compact prickly pear cactus with blue-green pads that develop purple tones and striking, long, dark spines concentrated near the upper pad edges. Special Features Distinctive blackish spines and seasonal purple coloration; heat and drought tolerant; flowers attract native bees. Problems & Solutions Overwatering or poor drainage can cause root and pad rot; let soil […]
Prickly Pear Purple
A Southwestern prickly pear with flattened blue-green pads that develop purple tones, especially during cool weather or drought, and long, dark spines near the upper pad edges. Special Features Seasonal purple coloration; exceptional drought tolerance; heat tolerant and cold hardy in Zone 9b; flowers attract native bees. Problems & Solutions Overwatering or poor drainage can […]
Prickly Pear Engelmann’s
A Sonoran Desert native cactus with broad, flattened green pads, prominent spines, and colorful edible fruits. Special Features Excellent heat and drought tolerance; attracts native bees; fruits feed birds and mammals. Pads and fruits are edible after careful removal of spines and glochids. Problems & Solutions Overwatering causes root and pad rot; improve drainage and […]
Pygmy Date Palm
A small, graceful palm with a slender, textured trunk and arching, finely divided fronds that create a soft, tropical appearance. Special Features Compact tropical accent suitable for containers and sheltered patios; female plants can produce small, dark, date-like fruits when pollinated. Problems & Solutions Fronds can suffer frost damage in Zone 9b; plant in a […]
Pygmy Date Palm Jumbo 21″
A compact tropical palm with a slender trunk and gracefully arching, feathery fronds. Jumbo 21-inch generally refers to the nursery container size, not a distinct variety or mature size. Special Features Fine-textured tropical foliage; compact size suits sheltered courtyards and containers. Female plants may produce small, dark fruits when pollinated by a male plant. Problems […]