Shrubs

Ubiquitous desert accent plant for summer color. This is one of the most common landscape plants across the southwest, due to its durability, design flexibility, and reliable summer color. Gray, grasslike unarmed leaves arch from a central base to form a medium to large sized clump. They tolerate high heat, and require little to no supplemental water once established, although most are put onto drip irrigation systems. Starting in spring plants will form flower stalks that grow above the foliage of bright pink to red color. Pollinated flowers form tan to dark brown solid lantern-looking seed pods that are also ornamental.

Just like Red Yucca, but with light yellow blooms. Easy-to-grow, tough, drought tolerant succulent accent plants. Long, inward curing gray-green leaves arch out from a central core, some with marginal filaments. In general, yellow flowering yuccas tend to have a smaller stature than most red yucca plants do, but due to lots of variability there are exceptions. Starting in spring to summer yellow bloom stalks form from the center of the plant rising above the foliage to make a bold and colorful display. Low water requirements and bloom stalks should be cut off well below the foliage once they have fully dried. DO NOT shear Hesperaloe foliage.

Brilliant red blooms on sturdy upright plants. Full-sized, single flowers are classic cardinal red against dark green serrated leaves. Non-native, lush, tropical-looking vigorous, upright growing woody perennial shrubs. Typically used for hedge plants, solitary specimens or for large containers. They do appreciate afternoon shade in low desert landscapes and regular irrigation, especially through the summer, but they tolerate heat with no issues. Maintenance is periodic shearing or thinning to control size. Watch for common insects on Hibiscus and control soft-bodied pests like aphids, mites or whiteflies as needed with insecticidal soap. Fertilizing Hibiscus with complete, naturally derived, water-soluble food with added micronutrients can help to prevent symptoms of chlorosis. Light annual applications of soil sulfur can also help keep soil pH low. Ask our sales team for additional advice on how to keep your client’s Hibiscus healthy and happy.

Dark green leaves with deep red tropical blooms. The name ‘Itsy Bitsy’ refers to the smaller leaves and flowers of this variety, not the size of the plant. They are vigorous, upright growing woody perennial shrubs. Typically used for hedge plants, solitary specimens or for large containers. They do appreciate afternoon shade in low desert landscapes and regular irrigation, especially through the summer, but they tolerate heat with no issues. Maintenance is periodic shearing or thinning to control size. Watch for common insects on Hibiscus and control soft-bodied pests like aphids, mites or whiteflies as needed with insecticidal soap. Although they can grow large, this is one of the most durable varieties for Phoenix.

Like a silky magenta pink Hibiscus kiss. Silky dark pink large flowers against dark green serrated leaves. Non-native, lush, tropical looking vigorous, upright growing woody perennial shrubs. Typically used for hedge plants, solitary specimens or for large containers. They do appreciate afternoon shade in low desert landscapes and regular irrigation, especially through the summer, but they tolerate heat with no issues. Maintenance is periodic shearing or thinning to control size. Watch for common insects
on Hibiscus and control soft-bodied pests like aphids, mites or whiteflies as needed with insecticidal soap. Fertilizing Hibiscus can help to prevent symptoms of chlorosis. Light annual applications of soil sulfur can also help keep soil pH low.

Evergreen, indestructible dwarf shrubs. Small, slow-growing naturally globe-shaped woody shrubs have little dark green leaves against light gray stems. Insignificant cream colored spring flowers set into small, red round berries for added interest.  They are the perfect choice for formal, low hedge shrubs for low desert to more mesic landscape designs. They accept alkaline soils just fine and become more drought resistant once they are established and mature. While we discourage shearing for most evergreen shrubs, the growth habit of this plant lends itself to shearing quite well.

Intoxicating white flowers on woody free-formed sturdy shrubs. This true jasmine produces clusters of small white highly fragrant flowers in late spring to summer. Large, glossy dark green leaves cloak woody, rambling branches to form billowy, irregular shaped shrubs to around 4 ft. high and wide. In China, the flowers are main ingredient for Jasmine teas. Plants are low maintenance, with moderate to high water use in low deserts and they require morning sun with afternoon shade or site them under shade
trees with dappled mid-day sun. They do not tolerate western or afternoon sun. Given room to grow to full size, little to no pruning is necessary. Lifting lower limbs, as they mature is helpful to make room to clean up fallen spent flowers.

Brilliant red blooms against angular gray stems. Chuparosa are semi-evergreen plants that grow naturally in low deserts from AZ to CA up to about 2500 ft. in elevation. They require low water once established, even during summers. They are opportunistic plants when it comes to available water. However, as long as the soil is well-drained, they will grow ever larger and carry their lush foliage all year. In natural environments, plants shed foliage during drought to conserve precious moisture. The stems are gray, succulent, and somewhat brittle. Flowers are formed at stem ends to give blooming plants a fiery silhouette, especially when back lit. They bloom from fall to spring. Never shear them. Periodic, selective thinning or pruning after flowering will control size and shape.

Velvety foliage topped with bright orange blooms. Bright green oval, highly pubescent leaves grow along green prominently jointed stems. In full sun they will grow quite dense and will grow large if they are well-watered. They can tolerate more drought but leaves will typically be smaller and more sparse. They look most lush in the morning sun, with afternoon shade. They are quite comfortable growing beneath desert legumes like Mesquite, Palo Verde or Ironwoods, although they will typically stay lower and spread wider. No matter where you plant them, bright orange narrow tubular flowers form in clusters at the ends of each branch to provide a sweet display. The heaviest blooming is during spring, but plants will throw out blooms nearly all year. Excessive watering encourages more and larger foliage and inhibits flowering, not what you want.