Pecan ‘Western Schley’
A large, deciduous pecan cultivar widely grown in the Southwest, producing flavorful, thin-shelled nuts. Well suited to Phoenix heat when given ample irrigation and room to develop. Special Features Edible, thin-shelled pecans; substantial summer shade; adapted to Southwestern heat. A Type I pollen-shedding cultivar; planting a compatible Type II cultivar such as Wichita improves pollination […]
Passion Fruit ‘Possum Purple’
Vigorous tropical vine producing edible purple passion fruit. Features deeply lobed leaves and showy, intricate flowers. Grows rapidly and is trained on trellises, fences, or arbors; ‘Possum Purple’ is a self-fertile, heat-adapted selection. Special Features Produces edible passion fruit; attracts bees and butterflies; provides dense coverage on structures; fast screening. Problems & Solutions Root rot […]
Passion Flower Vine
A vigorous hybrid passionflower vine (Passiflora alata × P. caerulea) with lush, lobed leaves and intricate, fragrant pinkish-white and purple flowers. Special Features Exotic, fragrant flowers; attracts pollinators; tendrils quickly cover trellises and arbors. Problems & Solutions Extreme heat can scorch foliage (provide afternoon shade and consistent moisture); frost can damage growth (plant in a […]
Partridge Breast Aloe
Compact southern African succulent with thick, triangular leaves arranged in three ranks and marked with distinctive white bands and spots. Special Features Striking patterned foliage; compact size; drought tolerant once established; flowers attract hummingbirds. Problems & Solutions Prone to root and crown rot in wet soil; provide excellent drainage and avoid water collecting among leaves. […]
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 […]
Cream de Mint Pittosporum
Compact evergreen shrub with variegated green-and-cream foliage and fragrant white spring flowers. Tolerates heat better than many variegated shrubs but scorches in unshaded reflected heat. Special Features Variegated cream-and-green foliage; fragrant flowers; salt tolerant; good low-water shrub once established Problems & Solutions Aphids and scale (insecticidal soap or horticultural oil); root rot in heavy, overwatered […]
Pink Trumpet Vine
Vigorous, woody climbing shrub with glossy, divided leaves and clusters of pink trumpet-shaped flowers; well suited to sheltered Phoenix gardens with irrigation. Special Features Showy, lightly fragrant flowers attract pollinators; heat tolerant with adequate water and somewhat drought tolerant once established. Problems & Solutions Frost can damage foliage and stems; plant in a protected location […]
Wheeler’s Dwarf Pittosporum
Compact, mounding evergreen shrub with dense, glossy dark green foliage and fragrant white to cream spring flowers. Well suited for low borders, mass plantings, and foundation use in low-desert landscapes. Special Features Fragrant flowers; salt tolerant; heat tolerant once established; dense foliage suppresses weeds Problems & Solutions Root rot if overwatered (ensure drainage); aphids and […]
Pyracantha Shrub
A thorny, dense shrub commonly called scarlet firethorn, valued for white spring flowers and abundant orange-red berries that attract birds. Special Features Showy, long-lasting berries; bird habitat and food; thorny security barrier; tolerates drought once established, but performs better with supplemental desert irrigation. Problems & Solutions Fire blight can cause blackened shoots; prune affected branches […]
Pyracantha Victory
A vigorous, thorny shrub with glossy green leaves, clusters of white spring flowers, and abundant bright red berries in fall and winter. Special Features Showy red berries attract birds; dense, thorny branches provide wildlife cover and an effective security barrier. Heat tolerant with adequate irrigation. Problems & Solutions Fire blight and scab can occur; remove […]