Shade Trees and Other Plants
Planting in the Desert
Phoenix's wettest month averages just over one inch of rain and temperatures reach or exceed 100°F for about 90 days of the year. Many homeowners buy plants that are not well-adapted to Phoenix conditions and waste money when plants die.
Despite these growing conditions, landscaping in Phoenix does not have to be a challenge if you know what to plant. When you visit your local nursery or garden center, ask first to see a selection of hardy native-Arizona plants or low-water-use plant varieties. These plants thrive in the Valley's extreme climate conditions with little water and limited maintenance. You'll leave the nursery knowing that you're saving water, money and time!
Visiting a Valley Nursery or Garden Center
- Arrive with a sketch or landscape plan of your yard.
- Don't be turned off by native/low-water-use plants that are not as showy in nursery pots as high-water-use exotics. Ask to see plant tags or images of the native or low-water-use plants in full-leaf or -bloom. You'll likely find a wide range of desirable colors and textures to enhance your yard.
- Ask for watering instructions. Plants that are newly installed or transplanted require more water than when they mature. Ask how much to water at the start and when to cut back. Overwatering is the reason many plants do not survive.
- Consider attractive Sonoran Desert natives.
Shade and other trees
Caption plum: Blue Palo Verde
- Blue Palo Verde
Parkinsonia florida - Feather Bush
Lysiloma microphylla v. thornberi - Foothills Palo Verde
Parkinsonia microphylla - Ironwood
Olneya tesota - Velvet Mesquite
Prosopis velutina - White Thorn Acacia
Acacia constricta
Other plants
Caption plum: Purple Prickly Pear
- Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa - Engelmann's Hedgehog
Echinocereus engelmannii - Jojoba
Simmondsia chinensis - Little-leaf Cordia
Cordia parvifolia - Ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens - Purple Prickly Pear
Opuntia santa-rita
Where can I find out more?
- Visit Literature & Media.
- Find a comprehensive list of Arizona-friendly plants at Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA).
- The Seven Principals of Xeriscape (desert landscaping) can be found in the on-line version of the brochure "Landscaping With Style."
- For information on selecting an Arizona certified landscape professional, visit the Arizona Landscape Contractors' Association.
- See additional Related Links at the bottom of the left navigation bar.
