Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra californica) Height: 3-5'. Width: 3-4'. Low to moderate water use. Evergreen. Full Sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 26 degrees. Moderate to fast growth rate. Blooms Spring-Fall with red puffball flowers. In a warm garden, this plant can bloom thru-out the year. If nipped by winter frost prune out damaged material in Spring.
Bear's Breech (Acanthus mollis) Height: 5'. Width: 5'. Moderate Water Use. Evergreen. Shade. Cold tolerant to 15 degrees with a moderate to fast growth rate. Bloom with purple/white flowers in Spring. Provide enriched soils and deep irrigations. Provides a lush tropical appearance.
Bitter Condalia (Condalia globosa) Height: 15-20'. Width: 10-15'. Low water use. Evergreen. Full to reflected sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 15 degrees Moderate growth rate. Inconspicuous, fragrant flowers in late Spring.
Black Dalea (Dalea frutescens) Height: 3-5'. Width: 4-6'. Low to moderate water use. Evergreen. Full to reflected sun. Cold tolerant to 10 degrees. Moderate growth rate. Blooms in Fall with purple rose flowers. A great show of color in Fall when other plants are getting ready for winter. A number of the daleas are favorite food source for native caterpillars.
Blackbrush Acacia (Acacia rigidula) Height: 15-20'. Width:15'. Low Water Use. Deciduous. Full Sun. Cold tolerant to 15 degrees with a slow to moderate growth rate. Blooms with yellow flowers in Spring/Summer. This native plant can be weaned from irrigations after established.
Blue Hibiscus (Alygone huegglii) Height: 4-10'. Width: 4-6'. Moderate to High Water use. Evergreen. Light Shade to Full Sun. Avoid reflected sun. Cold tolerant to 32 degrees with a moderate to fast growth rate. Blooms with bluish flowers in Spring/Summer. An Australian native. Water and fertilize consistently during the growing seasons for best results.
Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus) Height: 6-12'. Width: 4-8'. Low to moderate water use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 20 degrees. Moderate growth. Blooms late Winter-Spring with red flowers. The unique flowers of this plant alone make it a must have plant. Prune to shape. This plant can be trained into a single or multi-trunk patio tree or specimen.
Bright-bead Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster glaucophyllus) Height: 4-6'. Width:4-6'. low to moderate water use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 10 degrees. Moderate growth rate. Blooms in Spring with pink/white flowers. A little known option for the desert garden. It is easily pruned to shape. Red berries are carried through the winter season.
Butterfly Bush (Buddlea daviddii) Height: 4-6'. Width 4-6'. Moderate Water Use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 10 degrees Moderate to fast growth rate. Flowers Spring/Summer/Fall. A favorite of gardeners and butterflies alike. Easy to grow! Fragrant flowers in a number of colors.
Camellia (Camellia japonica) Moderate to high water use. Evergreen. Morning sun or Filtered Shade, Cold tolerant to 10 degrees. Moderate growth rate. Blooms Winter and Spring in varying colors. An ideal canidate for container growth in protected locations. A consistent performer for color during winter and early Spring.
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elation) Height: 2-2 1/2'. Width: 2-3'. Moderate water use. Evergreen. Light to deep shade. Cold tolerant to 30 degrees. slow to moderate growth rate. Flowers are inconspicuous. As its name implies this plant is tough and can tolerate a great deal of neglect, tolerates deep shade.
Chihuahuan Orchid Shrub (Bauhinia lunar odes) Height: 6-8'. Width: 6-8'. Low Water Use. Deciduous. Full Sun to Light Shade. Cold tolerant to 5 degrees Slow to moderate growth rate. Flowers from Spring to summer white to pink. Both flowers and the leaves of this plant merit it a place in the garden. Prune after bloom cycle to achieve desired shape. Makes a nice specimen plant.
Desert Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gillesii) Height: 6-8'. Width: 4-6'. Low Water Use. Semi-evergreen Full Sun to Light Shde. Cold tolerant to 10 degrees. Moderate to fast growth rate. Blooms with yellow flowers Spring thru Fall. This naturalized plant provides color with little effort. It'.s open airy form allows for plantings beneath.
Desert Broom (Baccharis sarothroides) Height: 6-8'. Width: 4-6'. Low Water Use. Evergreen. Full Sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 5 degrees moderate growth Rate. Flowers are inconspicuous.
Desert Cassia (Casiia nemophila) Height: 6'. Width: 6'. Low water use. Full to reflected sun. Cold tolerant to 18 degrees. Moderate growth rate. Blooms late Winter-Spring with clear yellow flowers. An Australian import that has adapted nicely to the Sonoran desert. Provide good drainage.
Desert Honeysuckle (Anisicanthus Thurberi) Height: 3-5' Width: 3-4'. Low to moderate water use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 30 degrees moderate growth rate. Orange-yellow flowers late Winter/Spring/Summer. An Arizona native this plant is a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies. Cut back severely in late Winter to encourage bloom and lend plant a lush, full look.
Dwarf Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis) Height: 6"-2'. Width: 3-6'. Low water use. Evergreen. Full Sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 15 degrees. Moderate Growth Rate. Flowers are inconspicuous.
Emu Bush (Eremophila sp.) Height: 4-6'. Width: 4-8'. Low to moderate water use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 20 degrees Moderate to fast growth rate. Different varieties offer different colors from pink to red and even blue.
Euonymous (Euonymous japonica) Height: 4-8'. Width 4-6'. Moderate water use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 10 degrees. Moderate growth rate. Blooms are insignificant. This plant works well as a hedge and can be pruned to desired shape.
Feathery Cassia (Cassia artemisiodes) Height: 6'. Width: 6'. Low to Moderate water use. Full to reflected Sun Light Shade. Cold tolerant to 28 degrees. Fast growth rate. Blooms late Winter-Spring with yellow flowers. Good choice for color early in the year. Easy to grow!
Glossy Abelia (Abelia Grandiflora) Height: 4-6'. Width: 3-5'. Moderate water use after established. Shade during the summer months. Evergreen, though it may lose its leaves in temperatures in the mid-teens. It blooms pinkish-white flowers in summer with a moderate growth rate. A graceful, arching shrub, this underused plant lends a woodsy feel to courtyards with little effort. Heavy pruning should be avoided as this may compromise this plants form. If needed, older established plants can be cut to the ground and will quickly
Gold Dust Plant (Aucuba japonica) Height: 3-5'. Width: 3-5'. Moderate to high water use. Evergreen. Light to deep shade. Cold tolerant to 5 degrees Slow growth rate. Flowers are inconspicuous. Highly ornamental, this plant does well in containers. Tolerant of heat if kept watered thru the growing season.
Indigo Bush (Dalea pulchra) Height: 6'. Width: 4-6'. Low to moderate water use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 5 degrees Moderate growth rate. Blooms in Fall-Winter with purple-rose flowers. An easy to grow plant that tolerates neglect once established. Unlike most plants if pruning is necessary it is done in summer after the major bloom cycle.
Knife leaf Acacia (Acacia cultiformis) Height: 10-15'. Widht: 10-15'. Low to moderate water use once established. Evergreen. Cold tolerant, but may suffer light damage in hard freezes. Creamy yellow flowers in Spring. Moderate growth. The unusual form of this plant lends itself well to becoming an accent plant in the garden, prune to develop desired shape. Provide good drainage and water generously during active growth cycles.
La Jolla Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea sp.) Height: 4-6'. Width 4-8'. Low water Use. Evergreen. Full to Reflected Sun. Cold tolerant to 30 degrees moderate to fast growth rate. Flowers late Spring / Summer with red-magenta color. This variety can be grown in containers with great success. Water consistently and fertilize lightly in Spring as new growth emerges.
Leather-leaf Acacia (Acacia Craspedocarpa) Height: 4-5'. Width: 4'. Low to moderate water use once established. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant with a moderate growth rate. It blooms purple flowers in late spring, held in whorls along the stems. This plant demands good drainage and must be allowed to dry slightly between irrigations to avoid root rot. The flowers of this plant are favorites of butterflies and it is a unique plant in that it is summer dormant.
Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus africanus) Height: 3'. Width: 3'. Moderate to high water use. Evergreen. Light Shade. Cold tolerant to 32 degrees with a moderate growth rate. Blooms with blue flowers on 2'. or longer stems in late Spring/Summer. A good container choice providing a unique flower. Fertilize and water consistently thru the growing season.
Little-John Bottlebrush (Callistemon lanceolatus 'Little John') Moderate Water use. Evergreen. Full Sun to filtered shade. Cold tolerant to 26 degrees. Moderate growth rate. Blooms in Spring and Fall with red flowers. A graceful and small shrub that can be grown in containers. Like its cousin the bottlebrush provides flowers that are a draw for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) Height: 6-12'. Width: 6-10'. Moderate water use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 10 degrees. Moderate growth rate. BLooms are insignificant but result in an edible fruit.
Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia Mexicana) Height: 10-15'. Width: 8-12'. Low to moderate water use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold toleratn to 20 degrees. Moderate growth rate. Blooms intermittently Spring thru Fall. A large shrub or small tree dependant on how it is pruned. Bright canary yellow flowers are help on ends of stems, highly ornamental.
Mexican Flame Anisicanthus (Anisicanthus quadrifidus wrightii) Height: 3-4'. Width: 3'. Low to Moderate Water Use. Evergreen. Full Sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 20 degrees or lower. Moderate growth rate. Orange tubular flowers Spring thru Fall. An absolute must for those who appreciate butterflies or hummingbirds. Prune after winter freezes and this plant comes back lush with a multitude of flowers.
Mulga (Acacia Aneura) Height: 10-20'. Width: 10-12'. Low water use once established. Evergreen. Full to reflected sun. It may suffer from hard freezes during the winter months with a moderate growth rate. It blooms rod-shaped yellow flowers in late winter through spring. The yellow flowers are fragrant and are followed by flat oblong seed pods. This plant works well as a screening plant, helping to filter sound, dust, noise and wind. If trained young, it can be trained into a small accent or patio tree.
Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) Moderate to high water use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 32 degrees. Moderate growth rate. Blooms intermittently thru-out year. Protect from frost. These plants are slow to recover from frost damage, plant in warm areas of the garden. A lush green plant offering white fragrant flowers followed by edible fruit.
Natal Plum 'Boxwood Beauty' (Carissa macrocarpa 'boxwood beauty')Height: 2'. W
Natal Plum 'tuttle' (Carissa macrocarpa 'tuttle') Height: 2-3'. Width: 3-5'. Moderate to high water use. Full Sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 32 degrees Moderate growth rate. Blooms intermittently thru-out year. Protect from frost.
Purple Hopseed (Dodonea viscosa purpurea) Height 6-10'. Width 6-8'. Low to moderate water use. Evergreen. Full Sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 26 degrees. Moderate to fast growth rate. Flowers are insignificant. This plant takes on deep red to purple color in Fall and winter.
Raspberry Ice Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea sp.) Height:3-5'. Width:3-6'. Low water use. Evergreen. Full sun/ Afternoon shade. Cold tolerant to 30 degrees. Moderate to fast growth rate. Flowers late Spring / Summer with magenta flowers. The variegated foliage of this plant makes it unique from other varieties of Bougainvillea. Can be grown in containers, offering a tropical feel with little effort.
Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherima) Height: 6'. Width:6'. Low to moderate water use. Evergreen in warm gardens. Full to reflected sun. Cold tolerant to 30 degrees. Moderate to Fast growth rate. Blooms late Spring thru Fall with orange-red/yellow flowers. This plant lends a lush tropical appearance with little effort. Slow to establish, but after that there is no holding it back.
Red Clusterberry (Cotoneaster lacteus) Height: 6-8'. Width: 6-8'. Moderate water use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 10 degrees. Moderate growth rate. Blooms in Spring with pink/white flowers. This large open and airy shrub offers a woodsy feel to the garden. Provide enriched soils. Prune to control size if needed.
Silvery Cassia (Cassia phyllodenia) Height: 6'. Width 6'. Low water use. Full to reflected sun. Cold tolerant to 26 degrees Slow to Moderate growth rate. Blooms in Spring with yellow flowers.
Sweet Acacia (Acacia minuta) Height: 20-25'. Width: 15-20'. Low Water Use. Semi-evergreen. Full Sun. Cold tolerant to 15 degrees Moderate to Fast Growth Rate. Blooms with yellow-orange flowers in late Winter/Spring. This tough, durable tree matures quickly with relative ease. Prune to achieve desired shape. Flowers are quite fragrant.
Temple Fire Bougainvillae (Bougainvillae sp.) Height: 3-4'. Width: 4-6'. Low Water Use. Evergreen . Full to reflected Sun. Cold tolerant to 30 degrees. Moderate growth rate. Flowers late Spring / Summer with red-bronze flowers. Small in stature but big on impression ! Good choice for the gardener looking to add a tropical feel to the garden.
Torch Glow Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea sp.) Height: 4-6'. Width: 3-5'. Low Water Use. Evergreen. Full to Reflected Sun. Cold tolerant to 30 degrees moderate growth rate. Flowers late Spring / Summer with red-magenta flowers. Stiff upright branches separate this plant from other bougainvilleas. Use as an accent against warm walls or consider container growth.
Weeping Acacia (Acacia pendula) Height: 20'. Width: 15'. Low Water Use. Evergreen. Full Sun. Cold tolerant to 20 degrees with a slow to moderate growth rate. Blooms with yellow flowers in late Winter/Spring. A nice accent tree that is underused in the desert garden. Clean and easy to grow can be used around pool areas providing a dense canopy.
Willow Acacia (Acacia salacina) Height: 20-25'. Width:15-20'. Low to Moderate Water Use. Evergreen. Full Sun. Cold tolerant to 20 degrees with a fast growth rate. Blooms with yellow-white flowers in Winter. Fast growing and with a dense canopy , this tree does well in limited space. Prune to shape.
Wislizenus Dalea (Dalea versicolor) Height: 3-4'. Width: 3-4'. Low water use. Evergreen. Full sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 15 degrees. Moderate to fast growth rate. Blooms Fall-Spring with purple flowers. Like some other desert natives, this plant responds to supplemental irrigations during the warm season with lush growth and heavy bloom.
Wormwood (Artemisia sp.) Height: 3'. Width: 3'. Moderate water use. Evergreen Full sun to afternoon shade. Cold tolerant to 30 degrees moderate to fast growth rate. Flowers yellow in summer but insignificant. Lush mounding habit and grey-silver foliage make a great contrast to rich green foliage of other plants. If damaged by winter cold, cut back after threat of frost.Yellow Dalea (Dalea lutea) Height: 3'. Width: 3'. Low to moderate water use. Evergreen. Full to reflected sun to light shade. Cold tolerant to 20 degrees Moderate growth rate. Blooms during warm season in response to irrigations with yellow flower. This plants mounding form contrasts nicely when planted near columnar cacti or ocotillo.
