Shrubs

Bold vertical accent plant for big spaces. Succulent accent plant that grows 4 ft. long unarmed leaves from a central base. Strong white curling filaments peal naturally from the leave margins to create a wild wispy appearance, at least when viewed up close. They are quite heat and drought tolerant requiring only periodic moisture once mature. Avoid planting too deep, as this can lead to crown rot. Once mature, these evergreen plants will shoot up tall multi-branched dramatic flower stalks to more than 12 ft. high. Each branch holds cream colored blooms with recurved petals, while attractive the bold size and height of the stalks are what is so impressive about these long-lived large accent plants. While they are not fast growers, when planting, put them in open spaces with wide individual spacing. Good for freeway right of way, parks, golf courses, natural desert designs, and even home or commercial landscapes as long as appropriate spacing is followed.

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.

This very hardy, drought tolerant champion of the desert has dusky, gray-green leaves, that are coated with a waxy substance and turn inward to protect the leaf’s surface from the sun. The plant is evergreen and dense with a natural rounded shape, no flowers but produces a fruit, a large, dark brown nut that is edible and renowned for its oil. Makes an excellent hedge.