Plumbago Mix
A sprawling South African shrub with soft green foliage and clusters of phlox-like flowers. Plants sold as a mix may include blue and white flowering selections. Special Features Attracts butterflies; long flowering season; tolerates heat and some drought once established, but looks best with regular irrigation. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage stems; protect young […]
Plumbago Blue
A sprawling South African shrub with soft green foliage and clusters of sky-blue flowers; well suited to sheltered Phoenix gardens with supplemental irrigation. Special Features Long flowering season; attracts butterflies; tolerates heat and some drought once established, though regular irrigation improves appearance and flowering. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat and reflected sun can scorch foliage […]
Plumbago White
A sprawling tropical perennial or small shrub with slender stems, green leaves, and clusters of delicate white flowers; distinct from white-flowered Cape plumbago. Special Features Attracts butterflies and other pollinators; tolerates heat with adequate moisture and afternoon shade. Problems & Solutions Harsh afternoon sun can scorch foliage (provide shade); frost damages stems (protect during freezes […]
Plumeria
A tropical small tree with thick, succulent branches, large green leaves, and fragrant flowers traditionally used in Hawaiian leis. In Phoenix Zone 9b, it requires frost protection and relief from intense afternoon sun. Special Features Fragrant tropical flowers, sculptural branching, and good container adaptability. Established plants tolerate brief dry periods, but are not frost hardy. […]
Poinsettia 4in
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a tropical shrub prized for colorful holiday bracts surrounding tiny flowers. The 4-inch designation refers to its nursery pot size, not mature size. Special Features Long-lasting, colorful bracts provide winter interest. Best treated as an indoor or protected container plant in Phoenix. Problems & Solutions Phoenix sun and extreme heat can […]
Poinsettia XL 10 in
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a tropical shrub prized for colorful winter bracts surrounding tiny flowers. ‘XL 10 in’ generally denotes a large plant sold in a 10-inch nursery pot, not a specific cultivar. Special Features Long-lasting holiday color from showy bracts. Best treated in Phoenix as a seasonal houseplant or movable container specimen rather than […]
Rubber Tree (Rubber Plant)
The nursery Rubber Tree is Ficus elastica, a tropical evergreen grown chiefly as a houseplant for its large, glossy, leathery leaves. It is frost-tender and not suited to outdoor exposure in the low desert; keep it indoors or on a shaded patio in bright, indirect light. (Note: the commercial latex tree Hevea brasiliensis is a […]
Ruby Red Euphorbia
An upright, branching succulent, Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ has three-sided stems, short paired spines, and burgundy-red leaves. Often called African milk tree, it is not a true cactus. Special Features Sculptural burgundy coloration; drought tolerant once established; easily grown in containers. Milky sap is toxic and irritating. Problems & Solutions Not reliably hardy outdoors in Zone […]
Shark Skin Agave
A sculptural agave with thick, rigid, triangular leaves and a rough, sharkskin-like texture. Usually sold as Agave ‘Sharkskin’, a hybrid with Agave scabra (also called A. asperrima) parentage rather than pure A. scabra. Special Features Bold architectural form; distinctive textured leaves; excellent heat and drought tolerance once established. Problems & Solutions Overwatering and poor drainage […]
Silver Lady Slipper (Slipper Plant)
Succulent shrub native to the Sonoran Desert with upright, gray-green to silvery, nearly leafless stems and small slipper-shaped red flowers at the stem tips. Well adapted to hot, arid, low-desert conditions and reflected heat. Special Features Drought tolerant once established; excellent heat and reflected-sun tolerance; attracts hummingbirds; sculptural leafless stems Problems & Solutions Overwatering causes […]