’S WATER RESOURCES

Groundwater is considered a non-renewable source of fresh water since pumping exceeds recharge in most aq- uifers used as sources of fresh water. Surface sources of fresh water, such as lakes and rivers, are considered renewable. It is generally agreed that the total amount of water that circulates annually (from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back down to the earth) has remained fairly constant in recent times. Therefore, on av- erage, rivers and lakes produce the same amount of fresh water now as they did 100 years ago. However, the population of the world has increased more than six-fold in the last 100 years, adding demands on fresh water resources. In Mohave County and the State of Arizona, we must all contribute to the wise management and use of local water resources for continued growth and preservation of life and the environment. (Arizona Know Your Water, University of Arizona 2004) About this Publication PRODUCED AND PUBLISHED BY: The University of Arizona College of Agriculture Project Coordinator and Assistant: Mohave County Cooperative Extension Aline Parker, Instructional Specialist, Sr. Rob Grumbles, County Extension Director Joan Gaul, Office Assistant

COOPERATIVE FUNDING BY: Bureau of Reclamation—Lower Region Arizona State Land Department-Office of the State Forester-Arizona Council Mardian Ranch Gift

HORTICULTURE COOPERATION WITH: Dave Tribbett of Jackie Gallant of Jan Emming of Dennis Swartzell of Sage Nursery Desert Green Nursery Desert Sense Mountain States Wholesale Nursery 1855 Morrow Ave 3699 N London Bridge Rd P.O. Box 306 10020 W. Glendale Ave Kingman, AZ Lake Havasu City, AZ , AZ Glendale, AZ

A Special Gratitude is given to our Mohave County Master Gardeners and professionals who devoted much of their knowledge and time putting together the information.

Charlene Ware Linda Reddick Ross Bolton Jack Kelly, University of Arizona Dottie Holman Laura Murphy Sherry Kelley Terri Mikel, University of Arizona Gail Key Lynette Fisher Shirley Coster Bob Morris, University of -Reno Jerome Kroll Mary Johnson Victoria Nessan Karen Bickman Nancy Samp Walter Grantham

Visit our WATERWISE Communities website at http://cals.arizona.edu/mohave/water/ or email us at [email protected]

Landscape for the Mohave County The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christen- Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City Regions son, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona. The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, na- tional origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.

Lower Colorado River Landscapes and Water Wisdom rip irrigation—also known as low-flow, micro, and trickle irrigation—is the slow, measured application of water through devices called emitters. Drip irrigation was invented in the early 1960’s as an efficient way to water Due to normal conditions, many homeowners are deeply concerned with how much water is needed to support their land- agricultural crops. Now, a wide variety of quality products has been developed to make drip irrigation reliable and scapes. As the population swells and the demand for water increases, it easy to use for almost any landscape situation. is important for residents within Mohave County to find landscape alter- Why should I use drip irrigation? Drip irrigation saves water because little is lost to runoff or evaporation. This natives to help save water and reduce their utility costs. watering method also promotes healthy growth, controls weed growth, and reduces pest problems. The amount of water that a plant needs is conditional to the rainfall that an area receives. Mohave County has rainfall that varies What types of landscapes are best suited for drip irrigation? Almost any part of your landscape can be watered between 4 and 14 inches per year. A low-water use plant is defined with drip irrigation. Drip systems are particularly well suited for desert landscapes, places where runoff can be a based upon the relative amount of additional water given to a plant, be- yond the necessity of receiving the annual rainfall. Simply stated, most problem, and small, narrow areas such as entryways. Drip is also a great way to water garden vegetables and potted low-water plants will survive on the natural rainfall of the area, but low plants. quantities of additional water may enhance the beauty of your landscape Can I design my own drip irrigation system? YES! Designing your own drip irrigation system is not difficult to its’ fullest potential, without placing a burden on our water supply. Please remember the old saying that “plants don’t save water, people do.” to do, but it does require some careful planning. Make a drawing of the final installation design of your system, and When planning your low-water landscape, bear in mind the wa- keep it for your records ter saving conveniences (Rainwater harvest, drip-line disposal and grey water reuse) that should be integrated with our irrigation systems. Addi- tional information is available through this guide and other resources are What Are the Components of a Drip Irrigation ? System? available through the Mohave County Cooperative Extension office. Bullhead homeowners quickly learn how our arid desert climate, strong CONTROLLER/ TIMER: Controls the watering winds, freezing winters and hot summer temperatures create our many landscape challenges. Selecting the right plant will help you with creat- cycle by automatically activating the control valves on the ing a beautiful and lasting landscape that will require less maintenance pre-selected days and times, thereby directing when, how and water. long and how often the system operates. The plants featured in these pages were researched and selected by members of the Bullhead area Master Gardener program and regional BACKFLOW PREVENTOR: This device prevents the landscape professionals. All of these plants were chosen based upon MSWN their commercial availability, survivability, esthetics and low-water use. irrigation system water from being siphoned back into drink- ing water. Your water provider may regulate the installation How this book is organized of backflow preventors. Contact them for more information. Plants are listed alphabetically by their common name. Each plant also lists the biological name that may be needed to distinguish the plant when purchasing. VALVES: Manually or automatically operated control

Gardening Basics: valves are used to turn the water on and off. Automatic con- Hardiness—The temperature refers to the lowest temperature in Fahrenheit that the plant is known to tolerate before serious injury trol valves are wired to a controller. or death. The hardiness can vary with the plant’s age, health, location within the yard and the duration of the cold temperatures.

Exposure to the Sun FILTER: All drip systems need some type of filter to keep Full Sun— This means that a plant can tolerate 8 or more hours of sun each day. dirt and debris from clogging the emitters.

Reflective Sun—This indicates the toughest plants that can tolerate extreme light and heat conditions, generally seen against a south or west wall. PRESSURE REGULATOR: Most drip systems operate at low pressure, usually less than 20 PSI. Pressure regulators Partial Sun— This indicates that the plants do best with a moderate amount of sun. Position these plants so they get the reduce incoming water pressure to the ideal pressure for the morning sun a partially shaded in the afternoon. drip system. Shade– This means that a plant does best with minimum exposure to the sun. Exposures that face north, beneath or next to buildings are some examples. PIPE: Polyethylene tubing and rigid PVC are the two most

Growth: commonly used types of pipe. Rate - This is a general guide to how quickly a plant will grow under normal growing conditions. Size – The first number represents a mature plants height. The second number represents its’ width. MICRO-TUBING: Also known as “1/4 inch” or “spaghetti”

tubing delivers water from the emitters to the plants, or from Foliage: “E” indicates evergreen. An Evergreen plant retains their all year, although there will be leaves that will fall from the poly tubing to the emitter. growth and maturity. “D” indicates deciduous. Deciduous plants drop their leaves during the dormant winter season. EMITTERS: These connect to the tubing or can be inside “SE” indicates semi-evergreen. These plants drop their leaves for a short period with sufficient winter cold Some foliage has additional description with shape and color. the tubing and deliver water at a slow, consistent rate, usually, 0.5, 1, 2 or 4 gallons per hour. : Color: This refers to the overall color of the color Season: This refers to the season of when to expect the flower to bloom. FLUSH VALVE/ CAP: A flush cap is attached to the end of each irrigation line so that dirt and debris can be flushed Adapted with permission from the University of Arizona Cochise County Cooperative Extension Comments: out of the irrigation system. These are general comments special to the plant. Water Wise Program 2 23 Watering Trees and Simple Techniques for Efficient Landscape Watering Landscape Water Conservation Basics Plants don’t waste water—people do! How much water do trees and shrubs really need? How often should they be watered? Where should it be applied? Most people over water plants. Over-watering Low water or water-efficient landscaping is often called Xeriscaping. The term refers to plants that can damage or even kill plants, leaving you with high water bills. Learning to water efficiently and effectively is easy. This brochure provides some basic guidelines on how to properly water trees and are appropriate for the local climate and care is given to prevent loss of water through evaporation or run- shrubs. off. Minimize the turf or lawn area to maximize your water requirements. Xeriscaping will: • Lower water bills Where should I water? The surrounding the plant’s roots, called the “root zone,” serves as a storage tank from which the plant draws moisture and nutrients. Most trees and shrubs shed wa- • Require less time and maintenance ter to the “drip line,” much like an umbrella. The most active water absorption area is at the drip line • Increase for native , butterflies and other wildlife and beyond, not close to the trunk. This is where you should water. Most of the roots spread 1 ½ to 4 times as wide as the plant’s canopy. • Tend to survive better if water restrictions are implemented within your area.

How should I water? Soil Improvements: The foundation of water conservation in the landscape lies in creating Drip Systems—Most drip systems do not have enough well placed and spaced emitters. Add emit- ters and increase the area watered as the plants grow. that optimize the water availability within the soil. With native plants, soil amendments are not required Bubblers—Be sure the basins are level and extend beyond the edge of the canopy. Avoid watering if the area of where the planting will be done is within the naturally occurring topsoil. If the area that you near the trunk. “If trees are in a lawn, water the trees are planting is within a sub-soil horizon (topsoil has been removed during preparation), then some soil Soaker Hoses—A perforated hose made from recycled tires is a good device for watering, but can emit water in a random pattern. separately from the grass. Deep water- preparation and added amendments may be necessary. Amendments may include the addition of 2-3 Sprinklers—A spray fixture can cover a large turf area but can be inefficient because of wind and ing promotes deep rooting of trees and inches of organic matter that is mixed into the soil to at least 6-inches below and above grade. evaporation. Use other methods that direct watering to the root zone more efficiently when able to shrubs. If not, tree roots may grow on the conserve water. soil surface.” Initial Planning and Design: Making the transition to a successful Xeriscape landscape usually How much should I water? Be sure to water the root zone to the indicated root depth every time requires good planning. You should start with an idea of where you would like to locate your landscape 3 you water (see table below). How will you know this? Push a “soil probe,” a smooth rod (¼ to /8 “ diameter), into the ground soon after you irrigate. The soil probe should easily slide through the wet plants and then draw it on a piece of paper for spatial and recording purposes. Draw a picture of your soil and become difficult to push when reaching dry soil. Watering deeper than the root zone only landscape to an appropriate scale and include as much detail as possible. Include the location of the means you are wasting water. house, garage, sheds, fences and each tree, or plant. Label all the trees and shrubs simply as de- How often should I water? Water consumption rates vary greatly among plant species. High water ciduous or evergreen to show litter and shade qualities. Be sure to locate any future areas that will affect use plants like cottonwood and willow trees that grow naturally along water ways, need much more water than established arid region plants. A good rule of thumb is to water when your soil probe the landscape. won’t penetrate the ground more than 3 to 4 inches. How long should I water? The amount of time needed to sufficiently water your plants depends on Planting a New Water Efficient Landscape: In general within desert, the fall and early how much water your irrigation system delivers, root zone depth, weather, and type of soil. Monitor spring are the best time to plant tree’s, shrubs and flowers. While planting can be done at other times of how quickly the water soaks into the soil using a soil probe. Remember, you want water to reach the full depth of your plant’s root zone, but no deeper. Once you have determined how long it takes to the year, it is more challenging to establish a plant in the heat of the summer or late in season when the fill the root zone, try to irrigate the same amount of time when watering. roots have less time to establish. Always consider the full-grown size of a given tree or shrub. Be sure you are not planting tall or wide trees on street corners where viewing traffic is important or underneath Weather Plants use 3 to 5 times as much water during the hot, dry, windy summer as they do during the winter. Adjust your watering schedule with the season and when there power lines where they may someday have to be severely pruned or removed. Plant trees and shrubs in are significant changes in the weather. space appropriate areas. Summer—Generally you should water mature trees and shrubs no more than once a week. Water arid adapted plants less often, if at all. Watering: How much and when you water have a lot to do with water conservation. By watering Winter—If there has not been any precipitation for four to six weeks, water deciduous Root depth and evergreen trees and shrubs to keep the root zone moist. in the hotter part of the mid-day, you may lose a significant amount of water to evaporation and even wind. Those with automated spray water systems should use and set their system to come on at night or Root depth has a major impact on how often plants Plant Maturity and Type To prevent wilting, young plants should be watered more need water. Deeper rooted plants need less frequent often than older plants. After they become established, in one or two-years, allow a early morning. It is beneficial to water all landscape plants at the root zone using drip line technology. watering. Encourage a deep, drought-resistant root slight drought between watering. The plants will adapt to the stress and become more Drip irrigation uses less water because it applies the water to the root zone of the plant, eliminating all zone by watering deeply and infrequently. drought tolerant. run-off and evaporation. When planting all plants, consider the topography and locate the plants below Typical Root Zone Depth for Mature Plants Soil Type If your soil is shallow, compacted or sandy, irrigate more often but for less final grade in basins. If planting on a slope, consider creating a dam on the low side of the slope to catch Lawn and Garden 6 - 12” time. Clay soil can hold water more tightly. any run-off rainwater. Try to retain as much rainwater as possible on your property. Add around

Shrubs 12 - 24” Mulch Keeping water from evaporating is key to keeping water in the ground for plant the tree or shrub to help hold the water. use. A 3 to 4” layer of an organic or inorganic (rock) mulch on top of a plant’s root Even the most drought tolerant plants require some regular water in the first year or two. The Trees 18 - 36” zone will significantly reduce the frequency of watering. eight weeks after planting, the plant will require watering every 2-7 days during the hot summer months Tips for efficient watering Adapted with permission from the and every 4-14 days during the cool winter months, depending on the water depth within the soil. Gradu- 1. Control weeds. Do not lay black or clear plastic over the soil. Use mulch or landscaping fabric University of Arizona ally extend the time between watering until the plants are established. Establishment usually takes one instead to allow water and air to circulate in the root zone. Cochise Cooperative Extension year for small plants, two years for large shrubs and three years for trees. 2. Avoid spraying tree and shrub leaves with water. Salts in the water can damage the foliage. Water Wise Program 3. If trees or shrubs are planted in turf, water them separately at the drip line. Use of : One of the most effective ways to reduce soil evaporation is to apply a layer of 4. Once or twice a year water three times longer than normal to help leach salts out of the root zone. mulch. Even if there isn’t much moisture in the ground, a 3-inch layer of organic (bark, straw, hay) or in- 5. Prevent runoff by retaining water in a basin around the plant or water at a slower rate. organic rock on top of the soil over the root zone of the plant will help keep roots cool and hold moisture 6. Watering in the early morning will be most efficient because of less wind and heat. in the ground. Use shade cloths to help them from transpiring too much water during the day. Use rainwater when possible. 3 22

HARVESTING RAINWATER

Harvesting rainwater can reduce the demand use of purified drinking water for landscape irrigation. It is an ef- fective water conservation tool and proves most beneficial when accompanied with the use of native, low-water and desert adapted plants. Rainwater provides sulfur and nitrogen which is a beneficial as a fertilizer to plant growth. Addi- tionally, rainwater is available free of charge and puts no added strain on the municipal water supply or a private water system. Mohave County is a very arid region where rain showers are scarce and widely scattered when they occur. The annual precipitation ranges from 3-6 inches along the Colorado River cities to 8-12 inches within the higher desert areas. Approximately half of the annual rain falls in the winter and the remainder may fall within the summer mon- soons. Many native plants can survive on annual rainfall alone when mature, but will require regular watering during the Trees -Twisted MSWN Chinese Pistache-MSWN Cascalote-MSWN Acacia,Sweet-MSWN first couple of years after transplant. By harvesting your rainwater, you can supplement or enhance your watering needs Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments by applying a few tips from this guide. Whatever your landscape watering needs maybe, your landscape will benefit in Basics E/D/SE Color & beauty with very little maintenance and the unwanted costs associated with irrigation using fresh potable drinking water. Rate and Size Botanical Name Season Hardiness Sun By observing your landscape during a rain, you can locate the existing African Sumac Slow E Yellow Willowy, good shade, , heat tolerant, sensitive to drainage patterns on your site and identify low points and high points. Rhus lancea 20° Light green deep frost 20’x20’ compound inconspicuous Utilize these drainage patterns and gravity flow to move water from leaves Early Summer catchment areas to planted areas. Take advantage of existing sloped Argentine Mesquite Fast White- Single trunk, dense crown, thorns, allergenic paving such as walkways and patios to catch water and redistribute it to Prosopis alba 20° SE Yellow planted areas. If you are harvesting rainwater from the roof, extend 20’x20’ downspouts to reach planted areas or provide a drainage path to move Arizona Rosewood Slow E White clusters Narrow glossy-green oleander-like leaves, will toler- the water where it is needed. Vauquelinia californica -10° Spring 15’x15’ Glossy- ate drought, no maintenance green Bottle Tree Fast White Fresh green leaves year-round, foliage A simple system usually consists of a catchment area and a means Brachychiton populneus 15° E Late Spring “quakes” like Aspen leaves, good windbreak, of distribution, which operates by gravity. The water is deposited 40’x30’ shade Develops hard-woody pod, messy. in a landscape holding area, a concave area or planted area with “edges” to retain water, where it can be used immediately by the Fan Palm Moderate Thicker trunk than Mexican Fan Palm, will hybrid- plants. A good example of a simple system is water dripping Washingtonia filifera 15 E None ize with Mexican Fan Palm 50’x20’ from the edge of a roof to a planted area or a diversion channel Carob Tree Fast E Red, small Often multi-trunked frost sensitive, female using roof guttering as shown. Gravity moves the water to where Ceratonia siliqua 25° Dense, Spring trees flower, male produce pods used as coco 30’x30’ dark-green substitute, Shade tree, it can be used. In some cases, small containers are used to hold foliage water for later use. Cascalote Slow- Showy yel- Bright green foliage, medium thorns (some Caesalpinia cacalaco 20° Moderate E low spikes varieties thorn less), winter flowers & colorful 15’x15’ Winter- pods, vased-shaped, low litter You can harvest approximately 600 gallons of water on a 1,000 square foot roof during a 1” rain storm Spring Contact your local hardware store for simple and inexpensive materials to be used in your water harvesting Chaste Tree Moderate Lavender- Fragrant flowers, large palmate green leaves project Monk’s Pepper -10° D white and with spicy fragrance, multi-trunked, seed may Vitex agnus-castus 20’x20’ colored be hazardous on sidewalks. Late to come out. spikes Takes heat. Spring-Fall Benefits to Harvesting rainwater for use within your landscape: Chilean Mesquite Fast White -yellow- Multi-trunked, some thorns, limit water to control • Water harvesting not only reduces potable water use and related costs, but also 15° SE green Prosopis chilensis 30’x30’ growth & uprooting, far-reaching roots, seasonal reduces off-site flooding and erosion by holding rainwater on-site. litter • Rainwater is a clean, salt-free source of water for plants. Chinese Elm Fast SE Inconspicu- Attractive bark, seasonal litter, foliage may turn • Rainwater harvesting can reduce salt accumulation naturally occurring in the Ulmus parvifolia 10° Leathery ous red or purple in fall, good shade 40’x50’ dark green soil and from your tap water which can be harmful to root growth. Rainwater leaves is naturally distilled through evaporation and is one of the purest sources of Chinese Pistache Slow D Green, in- Dense shade, fall color, red on females, water. When rainwater is used in mineral soils, the rainwater will force the salts Pistacia chinensis -20° Dark green conspicuous accepts alkali soil & varying water. Seasonal down and away from the root zone area. This allows for greater root growth 30’x25’ glossy Spring litter leaves and water uptake which increases the drought tolerance of the plants. • Rainwater comes to us free of charge! Instead of diverting your rainwater out Coolibah Fast E Cream, in- Accepts lawn conditions, wind resistant, low Eucalyptus microthrca 10° Blue-green conspicuous litter into the street or alley way, PLANT your rainwater into your landscape and 35’x25’ ribbon-like Summer watch it grow! leaves 21 4

Cow’s Tongue Prickly Pear flower –MSWN

Opuntia engelmannii flower-MSWN -MSWN

Trees Trees Ironwood, Desert-MSWN Chilean Mesquite-MSWN Fruitless – U of A Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments Basics E/D/SE Color & Rate and Size Botanical Name Season Hardiness Sun Date Palm Moderate Yellowish, Slender-trunked with crown of stiff Phoenix dactylifera 15° E 40’x20’ hanging sprays sharp-pointed leaflets, females pro- N/A duce small dates if male tree near Desert Ironwood Slow E Dusty lavender Thorns, handsome tree, shade, low Olneya tesota 20° Gray-green litter, frost sensitive 20’x20’ leaves Possible allergy problems. Desert Willow White, pink, Beautiful trumpet-shaped flow- Chilopsis linearis 0° Moderate-Fast D purple ers, attracts , no Cow’s Tongue Prickly Pear-U of A Opuntia engelmannii-MSWN Hildmann’s Cereus-MSWN 25’x20’ Spring-Fall thorns, seasonal litter=, multi- Cacti Cacti trunked, willowy leaves Ok in Cow’s Tongue Prickly Pear-MSWN light shade. Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments D Inconspicuous Basics Color & Edible Fig Moderate Smooth gray trunks, good shade, Botanical Name Rate and Size Ficus carica 10° fruit drop may be a problem Color Season Rough green Hardiness Sun 20’x15’ leaves Organ Pipe Up to 23” tall Dk. Green Lavender white Blooms At night Eucalyptus var. Slow-Moderate E White, small Bushy, silver to tan leaves, Stenocereus thurberi 25° Columnar clusters Native to Eucalyptus formanii e.torquata 15° Spring rough gray bark Multiple ribs May-July e.citriodora e.erythorocorys e.spathulata 15’x15’ Needle-like Mexican Fencepost Pink Good in containers. A Feather Bush Fast E White puffs Broad canopy, multi-trunked, Pachycereus marginatus 25° 10’ x 6’ Dk. Green with Spring dramatic accent Columnar white spikes Lysiloma microphylla 20° Late Spring spreading habit, male & female v. thornberi Fine green trees, thorns, high litter 12’x10’ leaves Patio tree. Flamboyant Tree or Fast D to Blooms are followed by 2-ft long Prickly Pear Moderate-Slow Green cylindri- Greenish yellow Jointed segments and Royal Poinciana black seed pods. Umbrella-shaped 10˚ 25° 30’x40’ Fernlike engine red silhouette. Opuntia var. To 4’ cal with con- streaked with red can be prorogated at Delonix regia leaves flowers spicuous tuber- joint. Spreading up- Late spring cles right Fruitless Olive Slow-Moderate Cream Mediterranean look 10° E Saguaro Slow Green White showy on Red fruit. Enjoyed by Olea europaea non-showy 20˚ 20’ x 10’ Vertically birds. 25’x25’ Carnegiea gigantea Columnar ribbed clusters top of stout spines Late Spring Guadalupe Palm Slow Cream, not Fan palm, old leaves drop on their

Brahea edulis 18° E conspicuous own, good desert tree Senita Pink Blooms at Blooms at night and at 30’x15’ 15° 10’ x 10’ the end of Spring. Spring aka Wiskers night on top Bears red eatable fruit Pachycereus schottii Columnar Late Spring to Locust Fast Inconspicuous Bright green leaflets, yellow in fall, Gleditsia triacanthos 0° D Summer 30’x20’ thorn less varieties available, nearly black bark, some litter Totem Pole Pink Interesting for its sculp- Lophocereus schottii 15° 10’ x 10’ Late Spring to tural quality. Honey Mesquite Moderate to White- yellow Thorns, shade, allergenic pollen, No spines 0° Fast SE Spring f. Monstrosus Columnar Summer Prosopis glandulosa v. deep green leaves, larger leaves torreyana 25’x25’ than Honey Mesquite

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Mexican Buckeye-MSWN Trees -MSWN Mesquite, Screwbean-MSWN Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments Basics E/D/SE Color & Rate and Size Botanical Name Season Barrel Cacti-MSWN Prickly Pear—MSWN Hardiness Sun Cacti Cardon Grande-MSWN Indian Laurel Fig Moderate E Gray bark, may have weeping form, Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments None Ficus microcarpa Dense green frost sensitive when young Basics Color & (f. retusa) 25’x35’ Rate and Size foliage Botanical Name Color Season Hardiness Sun Indian Rosewood Fast Cream, Round leaves, flowers not showy but Dalbergia sissoo 30° SE 30’x30’ pendulous fragrant, shade, upright, low litter Blue Myrtle Cactus 15’ x 10’ Blue-green Small green/white Can be come treelike Spring Myrtillocactus-geometrizans 25° Columnar with age Upright Branching Spring Italian Stone Pine Begins as bushy globe, matures as large Pinus pinea Moderate E None flat-topped tree, source of pine nuts, 15° Barrel Cactus Slow orange to yellow Good for a natural 40’x40’ heat & poor soil ok, deer & rabbit Ferocactus and Echinocactus 20° Single, massive landscape Native to resistant var. To 11” to reddish Mohave desert. F. cylindraceus To 2” in and Lt. spring Jacaranda Lavender-blue or Fern-like foliage, multi-trunked, frost F. acanthodes cylindrical 20° D white, trumpet- F. wislizenii. diameter Jacaranda acutifolia or sensitive, likes occasional deep irrigation E. grusonii j. mimosifolia 30’x20’ like Cardon Grande Slow Light Green, tan Medium thorns Similar to saguaro, but Mastic Tree Slow Green, non- Good screen or small tree, low litter, Trichocereus terscheckii 18° 15 x 8’ treelike spines grown faster growing Pistacia lentiscus 20° E shrub-like 15’x20’ showy Spring Mediterranean Fan Palm Slow E Inconspicuous Spiky leaf stalks, ok in windy locations, 15° Green to blue- N/A low litter (Dwarf Fan Palm) 15’x15’ green leaves Cholla “Jumping Cactus” Moderate-Slow Green cylindrical Red to Yellow Jointed segments and Chamaerops humilis Cylindropuntia variety sp. 0° To 4’ with conspicu- Spring can be prorogated at Mexican Buckeye D Rose-pink Fragrant flowers, large shrub or good ous tubercles joint. Spreading up- Ungnadia speciosa 0° Slow Large dark Spring green leaves patio tree, seasonal litter, no thorns, right 10’x10’ turn yellow in shrub-like Cow’s Tongue Prickly 6’ x 6’ Green Yellow Large red edible fruit Fall 10° Pear Pads are long Mexican Ebony Moderate D Cream-yellow Small thorns, natural look, gray bark, Opuntia lindheimeri forma 15° and narrow Pithecellobium mexicanum 20’x20’ Gray-green Puffballs rounded form, seasonal litter linguiformis Spring leaflets Hedgehog Cactus 1’ x 4’ Reddish-pink Orange /Red Vibrant Spring color 25° Clumping Mulga Moderate Round or pyramidal form, leathery leaf- Echinocereus var. Spring to Summer 15° E Inconspicuous Stems are round Acacia aneura like phyllodes are gray-green to silvery E. engelmannii to cylinder, 15’x20’ E. polycephalus spines E. grusonii Palo Verde Moderate D Bright yellow Short-lived tree @ 20-40 years Tree Cercidium var. 15˚ Pea like blooms susceptible to wood bores if without Hildmann's Cereus 15'x10' White showy Fast-growing substitute 15’ - 30’ Long Ribbed cylindri- bipinnate leaf Spring water for long periods of time. Queen of the Night cal branches Blooms at night for organ pipe. C. hildmannianus Columnar Needlelike spine Spring-Summer Purple Orchid Tree Fast Pink, purple Unique twin-lobed butterfly leaves, Bauhinia variegata 22° SE Early Spring C.Peruvian 20’x20’ good patio plant, frost tender

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African Sumac leaves-MSWN Mediteranean Falm Palm-MSWN

Indian Rosewood-MSWN

Soaptree Yucca-MSWN Elephant’s Food-MSWN Desert Spoon-MSWN Succulents Succulents Common Name Gardening Basics Growth Foliage Flowers Comments Color Color & Hardiness Sun Rate and Size Botanical Name Season Octopus Agave Fast Dk Green Yellow Smooth margins and soft termi- Agave vilmoriniana 25° 5’-6’ Symmetrical Spring nal thorns. Afternoon shade Texas Ebony-MSWN African Sumac-MSWN A.bracteosa 10° Rosette best. Rosewood– MSWN Trees Dies after blooming. Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments Paleleaf Yucca Moderate White clusters Good for small spaces and Sage green on tall stalks Basics E/D/SE Color & Yucca pallida -10° in containers. Rate and Size 2’ x 4’ Late Spring to Botanical Name Season Y. recurvifolla 0° Clumping Bluish green Summer Hardiness Sun Y.rupicola -10° Screwbean Mesquite Moderate White – yellow Pods like coiled springs attract large Slow Distinctive leaf impressions. Par- Parry’s Agave Gray-green Bright yellow Prosopis pubescens 10° SE fuzzy birds, spines, multi-trunked, needs more Agave parryii 10° 2’ x 2’ ticularly decorative. 15’x20’ Compact rosette Coarse txt Summer water than other mesquites Moderate Good for small spaces and Partridge Breast Aloe Dk. Green Salmon spikes Shoe String Acacia Fast Cream No thorns, light shade, low litter, 15° in containers. Aloe variegata 1’ x 2’ Venegated Winter to Blooms in winter. Acacia stenophylla 15° E puffballs upright & airy A.blue elf 15° Densely layered smooth Spring 30’x20’ Long droopy Spring A.striata 10° rosette leaves

Red Yucca Moderate-Slow Dk. Green Coral-red Tolerates tough conditions. -10° Giant Hesperaloe Course tex- spikes Attracts hummingbirds. Silk Floss Tree Moderate Pink to red Thorns on trunk, spectacular flowers, Chorisia speciosa 20° SE upright Hesperaloe funifera ture Spring to 30’x25’ showy Summer. Fall Slipper Flower Moderate Red slipper like Unique plant form. Good in Sweet Acacia Moderate Yellow Small thorns, sweet-scented flowers, Pedilanthus macrocarpus 30° Late Spring to containers. Attracts humming- Acacia smallii (a.minuta) 10° SE puffballs vased shaped, drops messy seed 6’ x 6’ Lime green a.farnesiana 20’x20’ Winter-Spring pods, a.farnesiana is a cold sensitive steams Summer. birds variety

Smooth Agave Fast Variegated Pale yellow Very attractive. Smooth leaf Texas Ebony Slow Cream to yellow Thorns, rich green, to avoid burn do not A.desmettiana variegata Ebenopsis ebano 10° E Spring-Summer 3’ x 3’ Lt. Green margins. Succulent rosette. 15’x15’ over-prune, filtered shade, fragrant flow- A.angustifolla 15° 25° Symmetrical ers, moderate litter Twisted Acacia Yellow Short thorns, fragrant blooms, Acacia schaffneri 15° Moderate SE puffballs branches curving and almost black, Spring fragrant flowers Soaptree Yucca Slow Green White clusters Leave dead leaves on trunk to -10° 15’x20’ Yucca elata 6-20’ x 6’ Long slender on tall stalks avoid sunburn damage. blades Late Spring Velvet Mesquite Moderate to Fast White- yellow Some thorns, multi-trunked, low 0° SE Spring (Arizona) 25’x25’ branches, dark shaggy bark, good wild- Prosopis velutina (p. juliflora) Twin-Flowered Agave Slow Dk Green Yellow Symmetrical slender leaves with Ferny gray- life plant, allergenic pollen, seasonal litter 15° Red-Brown green leaves Agave geminiflora 3’ x 3’ tint Winter smooth margins. A.ocahui Willow Acacia Fast Cream No thorns, narrow dark-green A.victoriae-reginae. Acacia salicina 20° E puffballs leaves, pendulous branches, upright, 30’x15’ Year round good for narrow areas, low litter 18 7

Arizona Rosewood –MSWN

Shrubs Texas Olive-MSWN Bush Lantana-MSWN Banana Yucca-MSWN Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments Succulents Medicinal Aloe-MSWN Desert Milkweed-MSWN Elephant’s Food-MSWN Basics E/D/SE Color & Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments Botanical Name Rate and Size Season Basics Color Color & Hardiness Sun Rate and Size Botanical Name Season Hardiness Sun Anachuita or Texas Olive Moderate White Large shrub or small tree Cordia boissieri 20° D Spring-Fall slightly toxic fruit is eaten Moderate 10-15’x10-15’ by birds Banana Yucca White clusters Striking show of flowers. Yucca baccata -20° Green on tall stalks Effective security plant. U-shaped Spring to sum- Arizona Rosewood Slow White Native alternative to ole- Cross section mer Vauquelina californica -10° E ander 15’x10’ Spring-Summer Candelilla Moderate Lt. Green Pink and white Good in Containers. Slender up- Euphorbia antisybitica 10° Spring to Sum- right, leafless stems. Arizona Yellow Bells Yellow Attracts hummingbirds Small scales 20° Fast E Spring-Fall mer stans 10x10 Cape Aloe Moderate Gray, green Orange-red Showy candelabra shaped flower Informal ; attracts Aloe ferox 25° & spikes spikes attract hummingbirds Baha Fairy Duster Red Red 20° Moderate SE hummingbirds and butter- Winter to Calliandra californica Powderpuffs flies Spiny leaves 5’x5’ Spring-Fall Spring Acacia, Leather-Leaf Yellow puffs No thorns, round thick Dawe’s Aloe Moderate Gray green Red spikes One of the most spectacular flowers Acacia craspedocarpa 20° Moderate E Spring-Summer “leaflets” low litter, good Aloe dawei 25° in small spaces or large Leaves have Winter 10’x8’ containers, very drought thorns tolerant Desert Milkweek Moderate Gray green White clusters Striking winter color . Attracts hum- Brush Moderate White to Pale Pur- Attracts butterflies has subulata 25° Coarse Spring to Fall mingbirds. Aloysia gratissima 15° SE very small thorns Linaria texture 6’x6’ ple Spring-Fall Desert Spoon Moderate Small white Large thick Dasylirion wheeleri 5° flowers Black Dalea Moderate-Fast Rose-Purple Attracts quail; winter color 3’x5’ Silver Grey 0° E-SE Fall-Winter Dalea frutescens 3’x4’ Elephant’s Food Moderate Pink Adapted to many different Portulacaria afra 30° Blue Sage or Germander Deep Blue Short lived 3’x4’ Green (rarely occurs) conditions. Sage (Mexican Blue Sage) 30° E Early Spring- Spring Good in containers Salvia chamaedryoides 2’x2’ Summer Lechoguilla Verde Moderate Bronze green Yellow Reddish brown marginal teeth are Agave bovicornuta 20° Green Late winter to very decorative. Bush Dalea Moderate-Fast Violet Attracts butterflies smooth Spring Dalea pulchra 15° E Winter-Spring 4’x5’ Medicinal Aloe Fast Green Yellow spikes A prolific and tough aloe. Attracts

Aloe vera 25° Smooth tex- Spring hummingbirds. Afternoon shade Bush Lantana Fast Yellow, Red, Or- Hedge or color accent; A. barbadensis ture Lantana camara 10° E attracts butterflies v. best. 4’x4’ ange, Pink ‘Trailing Lantana’ used as All year groundcover Mescal Ceniza Moderate Yellow Striking banded leaves. Distinctive 15° Green Agave colorata Spring toothed margins. Bush Morning Glory Fast White, Pink Used on banks or in rock A.chrysantha Coarse Convolvulus cneorum 15° E gardens 10° 2-5’x2-5’ Spring-Summer A.murpheyi A.palmeri 5°

8 17 Mascagnia macroptera Mascagnia B.spectabillis Bougainvillea glabra Yellow Orchid Glory Morning Yellow Trumpet Vine Trachelospermum Star Jasmine Snail Vine Queen’s Wreath Solanumjasminoides Potato Vine Pink Trumpet Vine Rosa banksiae Lady’s Bank Rosea lilacina Mascagnia Desert Orchid Ficuspumila Fig Creeping Macfadyena unguis-cati Cat’s Claw Vine Gelsemiumsempervirens Carolina Jessamine Callaeum macropterum Bougainvillea Vigna caracalla Merremia aurea radicans leptopus Antigonon Podranea ricasoliana Common Name Name Common

Botanical Name

25° 10° 10° 25° 15° 20° 25° 25° 25° 15° 10° 15° 25° 20° Hardiness Hardiness Sun Gardening Basics

Bougainvillea-MSWN Rate and Size Unlimited Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Growth 25’x25’ 15’x20’ 15’x15’ 20’x10’ 20’x20’ 15’x15’ 20’x15’ 15’x15’ 10’x10’ 10’x20’ 15’x15’ 20’x10’ 20’x20’ Fast Fast Fast Fast Fast Fast Fast Fast Fast

16 Foliage E/D/SE

SE SE SE SE D D D E E E E E E E

Queen’s Wreath-MSWN Queen’s Wreath-MSWN White flowers in White flowers in Spring-Summer Spring-Summer Spring-Summer Spring-Summer Not significant significant Not Early Summer Summer Early Bright Yellow Large Yellow Summer-Fall Summer-Fall Late Winter- small cluster cluster small cluster small Year-round Year-round Bright Pink Pale Purple Flowers Summer Clusters Clusters Clusters Color & Purple Spring Yellow Yellow Yellow Yellow White Season Spring Multi Pink Pink if cutback. andwillgrowback a tuber Plant has May cause skin irritation walkways. orof gardens, entrybeds edgingfor Attractive to bees,It is good in raised in winter. Flowers shapedlikea snail. May die back flies. & butter- tobees isattractive Plant shade. for overhead Good All parts poisonous branch. a terminate climber.Flowers Vigorous woody thorns Moderate litter paper-like pods chartreuse large by followed Flowers paintgets topheavy ifvine andClimbs anythingwill peel form. leaf juvenile will restore Severe eradicate to hard bevery Can litter High All parts are poisonous Cut back severely if vine gets top heavy. required. techniques planting Special High litter, thorns paper like pods. pods. like paper chartreuse large by followed Flowers Comments Yellow Orchid Vine-MSWN Vine-MSWN Yellow Orchid

Tecomariacapensis Chihuahuan Sage Sage Chihuahuan Chapparal Sage Cape Plumbago Cape Hamelia patens patens Hamelia Firecracker Bush artemisiodes Cassiaarteminsoides orSenna FeatherySenna Feathery Cassia or Dwarf Myrtle Lavender Desert Celtis pallida Hackberry Desert Chinese Hibiscus Myrtus communis ‘compacta’ Myrtus communis ‘compacta’ Anisacanthus thurberi Leucophyllum laevigatum Salvia clevelandii capensis Plumbago Hibiscus ‘rosa-sinensis’ Hibiscus Common Name Name Common Botanical Name Shrubs

Chapparal Sage-MSWN 10° 10° 20° 30° 20° 15° 25° 15° 10° 30° Hardiness Hardiness Sun

Gardening Basics

Rate and Size Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Growth 15’x15’ 8’x10’ Slow 4’x4’ 6’x8’ 6’x5’ 3’x6’ 4’x5’ 4’x4’ Fast Fast Fast Fast

MSWN MSWN 9 E orSE Foliage

E/D/SE Firecracker Bush-MSWN Bush-MSWN Firecracker SE E E E E E E E E

Most of the year Most oftheyear Spring-Summer Spring-Summer White toLight Yellow-green Summer-Fall Red, Yellow, Red-Orange Fall-Winter- Orange-red Orange-red Blue, Violet Flowers Lavender Lavender Summer Color & All year All year Orange Yellow Season Spring Spring Spring White Blue Attracts hummingbirds Attracts hummingbirds formal shrub; seasonalaccent in- feathery Cassia, leaves v.Green Grey compact hedge Producesblue berries Low edgings,foundation plantingsor Fragrant foliage Attracts Hummingbirds Orange berries; goodplantfor wildlife foundation plant use as screen, border plant,specimen or Requires late afternoon shadein summer; informal hedge,fragrantflowers Good Fragrant foliage attracts hummingbirds Will cover fences, walls orbanks wall facing South Attracts Comments Feathery -MSWN Leucophyllum-MSWN s; espalier on

Little Leaf Cordia-MSWN

Shrubs Mexican Bird of Paradise-MSWN Hop Bush-MSWN

Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments Sideoats Grama-MSWN Bamboo Muhley-MSWN

Ornamental Grasses Bull Grass-MSWN Basics E/D/SE Color & Rate and Size Botanical Name Season Common Name Gardening Basics Growth Foliage Flowers Comments Hardiness Sun Color & Hardiness Sun Rate and Size Firethron Pyrocanthus Fast White Spring Glossy green foliage, orange or red Botanical Name Color Season Pyrocantha 10° E berry clusters; sharp thorns; good 10’x6’ hedge Bamboo Muhly Moderate Green, Inconspicuous Narrow leaves with flower clusters Muhlenbergia dumosa 10° 4’x4’ dries to on slender, woody stems A strik- Globe Mallow aka Fast Orange, May irritate eyes and skin. Bright tan ing grass resembling a bamboo 0° E White, Red or flowers shaped like mini hollyhocks. Summer Desert or Apricot 3’x3’ Salmon Sphaeralcea ambigua Springs Blue Gama Fine grey- Green to Dry plants. Good in rock garden. Bouteloua gracilis -10° 1-2’ green Purple Golden Senna Fast Yellow Spring need scarification June-Sept Cassia candolleana or Senna candolleana 25° E & Fall 6’x6’ Bull Grass Fast Tan Lt. Purple Long blue-green leaves with loose, Muhlenbergia emersleyi -10° Gray Thorn Slow Creamy Leaves are green vs. Feathery Senna 2-3’ x 2-3’ Fall rosy flower spikes Ziziphus obtusifolia 15° D Non-showy (grey) Dries in the winter to a tan color 6’x8’ Deer Grass Fast Green Tan heads Large, coarse bunchgrass. Guayacan Slow-moderate Vivid flower color, can become Muhlenbergia rigens -10° Fall Violet-blue 4’x4’ Guaicum coulteri 25° S Summer multi-trunked tree in frost free site Eulalia Grass Fast Grey- Tan-coppery Tall, graceful looking. Hop Bush Moderate Yellow-green Oleander alternative; papery fruit Miscanthus sinensis -10° green Dononaea Viscosa 15° E attracts birds 6’x4’ 12’x6’ or Purple

Japanese Pittosporum Moderate-Fast White Orange blossom fragrance; dwarf Japanese Blood Grass Fast Green Creamy tan Clumping grass with erect stems Pittosporum tobira 25° E Spring available; clipped hedge, screen, with red 5-8’x4-6’ border or container Imperata cylindrica 10° 18’ x 18” tips and top half is a rich red color Completely dormant in winter. Spreads by underground runners Jojoba Slow Yellow-green Good for naturalistic setting; land- Simmondsia chinensis 15° E Spring scape, screen, or hedge 6’x6’ Mondo Grass Moderate Dark Light lilac to Forms grass like clumps or Ophiopogon japonicus 25° green white 6-10” mounds Langman’s Sage Moderate Lavender Good summer color Fine texture blade Leucophyllum langmaniae 10° E Summer-Fall 5’x5’ Mexican Feather Grass Fast Green to Tall heads Feather or needle grasses have Nassella temnuissima -10° tan Fall large open airy that L:aurel-Leaf Cocculus Moderate Yellow Border, screen, espalier or small 18’ x 18” can be impart lightness and mo- Cocculus laurifolius 15° E tion in the garden. Very thin 25’x25’ Non-showy patio tree Pink Muhly Fast Glossy Pink Heads One of the most attractive and Moderate Screen or informal hedge Muhlenbergia capillaries 0° Green Little Leaf Cordia White 3’x3’ popular ornamental grasses. Cordia parvifolia 15° S Spring-Fall Glossy green foliage and mist pink 6’x6’ flower spikes in fall and early win- ter. Mexican Bird of Paradise Moderate-Fast Lemon Shrub or small tree; attracts hum- Fast Green, Purple Caesalpinia mexicana 15° E Sideoats Grama Interesting seed stalks 10’x8’ yellow mingbirds Bouteloua curtipendula -10 dries to Spring-Summer are relished by birds Spring-Fall 2’ x 1 1/2’ tan

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Oleander-MSWN Orange Bells –MSWN

Shrubs Mexican Houneysucle-MSMN Evening Primrose-MSWN Yellow Trailing Lantana-MSWN Trailing Yellow Bush-MSWN

Ground Covers Covers Ground Prostrate Acacia-MSWN Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments Common Name Gardening Growth Comments Foliage Flowers Basics E/D/SE Color & Basics E/D/SE Color & Rate and Size Rate and Size Botanical Name Season Botanical Name Season Hardiness Sun Hardiness Sun Mexican Honeysuckle Moderate Orange or Or- Attracts hummingbirds; may be sold in Fast 15° E AZ under name of ‘Desert Honeysuckle’ Prostrate Acacia Yellow Good for filling up large spaces, Justica spicigera 3’x4’ ange-red 15° E Spikes in All Year Acacia redolens 18”x8” aggressive grower Spring Woody trunk with a brownish fruit pod Myrtle Moderate White Dwarf ‘Compacta’ varieties available; Myrtus communis 15° E Spring-Summer Shrub or small tree; edible blue berries Desert Broom Moderate Cream- Eleven Species of Baccharis 5’x4’ Baccharis hybrid 0° colored E Fast Edible red fruit; dwarf available; Flower head Natal Plum White, Pink 3’x4’ Dk Gr. 30° E Spring groundcover, hedge or screen; thorns Carrisa grandiflora 2-7’x7-10’ (Carrisa macrocarpa) Prostrate Gemander Moderate Rosy lavender Good in rocky banks. New Zealand Flax Fast Red or reddish Use in containers or bold accents; good Teucrium chamaedrys prostratum -10° E Spring-Fall Phormium tenax 0° E 8”x16” 9’x3’ orange garden focal point; flowers grow to 15 Spring-Summer feet tall Yellow Trailing Lantana Slow Yellow Virtually seedless when planted 15° 18”x3” E Ocotillo Slow Orange Spiny stems; pieces of canes stuck in the Lantana sp. Warmest separate from other varieties. Cut Fouquieria splendens 15° D months of 8-25’x10’ Spikes ground will grow; may remain dormant Purple trailing Lantana Summer back in early spring to keep bushy. Spring for 3 years; can use as ‘living’ fence Lantana Montevidensis 20° 12” x 6’ Blue Flowers Lantana berries are poisonous Oleander Fast White, Pink, Red Large shrub, small tree, hedge, screen Myoporum Prostratum Fast White May die back n 5-8 years Nerium oleander 25° E Spring-Fall 25° E 6’x4’ Myoporum parvifolium 4”x 8’ Orange Bells Fast Orange Attracts hummingbirds; Colorful back- Evening Primrose Moderate White Fragrant flowers. Opens in late hybrid 20° S All Year ground screen Oenothera caespitosa 20° E-D Spring- evenings to following morning. 8’x5’ 1’x3’ Summer Pea Bush Moderate Purple Red Spike Ice Plant Slow Red Needs water twice a week in sum- Dalea pulchra 15° S Summer-Fall Cephalophyllum 25° E Winter-Early mer. May die back in 5-8 years 4’x5’ 8”x12” Spring Pineleaf Milkweed Moderate White to Green- Food source for Queen & Monarch but- 15° E terflies Thyme Moderate Lavender-blue Flowers are in tubular clusters. Asclepias linaria 3’x3’ ish Thymus serpyllum E Spring- Fair weather plant and may Spring-Fall 25° 6”x12” Summer Not tolerate heat. Pineapple Guava Slow Silver with red Green edible fruit; espalier, screen or 15° E hedge Trailing Indigo Bush Fast Rose-purple Looks best if allowed to mound. Feijoa sellowiana stamens Dalea greggii 10° E Spring- Don’t shear. 5’x5’ Spring 18”x12’ Summer Pomegranate Moderate Orange to Red Edible fruit; flowers attract hummingbirds Moderate Cuttings may root in water. Punica granatum 15° D Spring Trailing Rosemary Blue 8’x6’ Rosmarinus officinalus 0° E Spring- Strong aromatic leaves 20”x6’ Summer Fast Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies; Trailing Yellow Bush Yellow Lemony scent Red Bird of Paradise Orange or Red Caesalpinia pulcherrima 15° E Spring-Fall ‘Phoenix Bird’ has bright yellow flowers Dalea Capitata 5° 8”x3’ D 6’x6’

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Red Eremophilia-MSWN Sugar Bush-MSWN Superstition Mallow-MSWN Shrubs

Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments Basics E/D/SE Color & Yellow Bird of Paradise-MSWN Plumbago-MSWN Shrubs Triangle leaf Bursage-MSWN Rate and Size Botanical Name Season Hardiness Sun Common Name Gardening Growth Foliage Flowers Comments Fast Attracts hummingbirds Basics E/D/SE Color & Red Eremophilia Red Rate and Size maculata 15° E Winter-Spring Botanical Name Season 6’x6’ Hardiness Sun Moderate Good in containers; attracts humming- Red Justica Red Triangleleaf Bursage Moderate Green Pollen causes allergies; burs cling to pets Justicia candicans 20° E Summer-Fall birds 20° E 3’x3’ Ambrosia deltoidea 1’x2’ Non-showy Winter-Spring Rosemary Moderate Blue Herb for the arid climate; low growing; Rosemarinus officinalis 10° E Winter-Spring use as bank or ground cover; will cascade; Moderate Seeds attract birds 4’x4’ also may be used as prostrate hedge or Turpentine Bush Brilliant yellow Ericameria laricifolia -10° E Summer-Fall border 3’x4’ San Marcos Hibiscus Moderate Yellow with red Moderate Gossypium harknessii 25° E center Viburnum White Screen or hedge; foundation plant; red 3’x4’ Viburnum suspensum 25° E Summer-Fall 8-10’ x 8-10’ Winter-Spring berries Shrimp Plant Fast Orange bracts & Foundation plant or container; tropical Justicia brandegeana 25° E Violet Silverleaf or Violet Moderate Purple Silvercloud’ slightly larger than 3-6’ x 3-4’ white blossoms accent 10° E Spring-Fall All Year Texas Ranger 4’x4’ ‘Thundercloud’; both have silvery leaves; Leucophyllium candidum susceptible to over watering Shrubby Cassia (Shrubby Moderate Yellow Summer color 0° D Summer-Fall Weeping Dalea Moderate Purple Requires well drained soil; winter color Senna) 4’x6’ Dalea versicolor v. sessilis 10° E Fall-Spring Cassia wislizeni or Senna 3’x4’ wislizenii Fast Fast Needs good drainage White Plumbago White Foliage turns maroon in winter Silver Leaf Cassia Yellow Plumbago scandens 15° E Summer-Fall 20° E Fall-Spring 3’x3’ Cassia phyllodinea or Senna 6’x6’ phyllodinea Moderate Attracts butterflies; for bees Slow Good screen or hedge; edible red berries Wright’s Bee Bush White Sugar Bush Red Buds Aloysia wrightii 10° D Spring-Fall 10° E 5’x5’ Rhus ovata 10-15’ x 12’ Cream Flower Spring Moderate Espalier, screen, hedge or patio tree Superstition Mallow Fast Orange-yellow Native AZ shrub Xylosoma Off-white 25° E Xylosoma congestum 15° E or D Abutilon palmeri Spring -Fall 8-10’ x 8-10’ Non-showy 4’x3’ Spring Texas Mountain Laurel Slow Purple Large shrub or small tree; soak root ball Yellow Bird of Paradise Moderate Yellow w/ red Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies; Sophora secundiflora 10° E Winter-Spring every 2 weeks/summer; poisonous seeds Caesalpinia gilliesii -10° SE accent plant or shrubbery border. 15-25’ x 10-15’ Light shade when young. 6’x5’ Stamens Long red stamens. Spring-Fall Texas Sage or Texas Slow Rose pink Should not be crowded into small spaces 10° E Yellow Oleander Slow Yellow, incon- Poisonous fruit, sap, seed; use as hedge, Ranger Varies White which require severe pruning and limits Thevetia peruviana 20° E Leucophyllum frutescens 3-20’ x 3-12’ spicuous large shrub or small patio tree 6’-8’x6’-8’ Pink flowering; Green Cloud’, Green foliage Early Summer Summer-Fall White Cloud’, Gray foliage Yew Pine Slow Green Tree of shrub; narrow screen, espalier, Moderate Leaves 3’x4’; accent plant can be used in Split Leaf Philodendron Green Podocarpus macrophyllus 15° E Non-showy hedge or barrier, or in containers 25° E Non-showy containers 15-30’ x 8’ Philodendron selloum 6-12’ x 6-15’ Summer

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