Master Plant Descriptions

PLANT DATABASE This information is for everyone to use to promote dissemination of what we believe to be correct.
We do not grow everything on these lists all of the time but are providing information often difficult to find.
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Mountain Man will show you scales of plants denotes plants usually in production

Cascalote In Arizona, where winter visitors often garden in small spaces and want seasonal color, this patio tree has become a fast favorite. Caesalpinia cacalaco can either be left unpruned to grow as a large shrub, or trained into a small tree to 15-18 feet tall and wide. In the winter, Cascalote produces large spikes of clear yellow flowers at the branch tips, followed by attractive copper-colored seedpods. Cascalote is native to tropical areas of Mexico, and suffers frost damage when temperatures drop below 20° F. In warm climates this plant is evergreen, with glossy green compound leaves. Younger branches are reddish-brown, and are usually adorned with rose-like thorns. The thorns are not as prominent on older trunks and branches. Cascalote grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, and is easily propagated from seed. USDA Zone 9.

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Upright fast growing small tree or large shrub to 10' tall by 8' wide. Clusters of yellow flowers have long red stamens. Natural growth habit is irregular and open, but can be pruned to encourage dense growth. Originally from Argentina & Uruguay. Quite hardy and can be frost deciduous. As pods mature, they split spewing seeds. Ripe seeds are poisonous. May be somewhat invasive but easy to control. Drought tolerant. More open and woodier than pulcherrima.

Fragrant lemon yellow flowers in 3-6" long racemes. In colder areas, an herbaceous perennial often to only 3-6'. Ferny lush green foliage and spectacular flowers. Will tolerate more heat than most. Pods and seeds may be poisonous. Large shrub 15' tall & wide. Native of Northern Mexico. In low desert, evergreen and can bloom year round. No spines. Seeds are distributed by pods splitting but seedlings are easily controlled. Moderately rapid grower but needs well drained soil.

This small, tropical-looking tree is a perfect choice for courtyards and other oasis zones. The lush green foliage is extremely ornamental, with compound leaves to 8 inches long, composed of large oval leaflets. Although this tree does bloom in the summer with clusters of small yellow flowers, the leaves and thornless nature are its most outstanding features. Caesalpinia platyloba grows quickly to 20-25 feet tall and wide. Hardy to 25°F, this tree can freeze to the ground if temperatures drop to the high teens. However, re-growth is rapid, up to 6-8 feet of growth in a year. Leaf drop can occur in a cold winter, or when plants are water-stressed in the hot summer months. Native to the tropical deciduous rain forests of Mexico, this tree is harvested there to make fence posts. USDA Zone 9.

Red Bird of Paradise This shrub is without a doubt the most popular summer bloomer in the Phoenix area. From May through August this tropical-looking shrub produces loads of spectacular flower clusters. Red bird of paradise drops its leaves in the winter, and usually suffers some frost damage. It is hardy to about 15º F. In the early spring, after the danger of frost has passed, you should cut this shrub back to 6 to 12 inches above the ground. As soon as the weather heats up, it will explode into growth, growing to 5 to 6 feet tall and wide in one summer. Deep, weekly irrigation during the bloom season will keep plants healthy and prolong the flower display. It performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. USDA Zone 8.

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A semi-deciduous vine that can reach up to 15' fairly rapidly. It only needs something to twine upon. It is a little more frost hardy than macroptera. Small lavender flowers during summer months. Mexican native. Full sun or part shade. Will usually cluster at the top of the trellis. Hardy into the mid teens. Small hairs on the foliage can cause irritation. Can be evergreen in warm areas. Zone 9.

Mascagnia macroptera is an evergreen vine from Baja California that will easily train itself to a trellis or fence. If left unsupported, this plant will twine on itself to produce a mounding shrub or even a groundcover. This blooms in spring and summer, with bright yellow orchid-shaped flowers. This is fairly drought tolerant shrub, but looks much better with regular watering through the warm season. Zone 9.

Baja Red Fairy Duster If you enjoy the antics of hummingbirds, be sure to include a few Baja red fairy dusters in your garden. Their bright red, tufted flowers provide year around color and nectar, although the showiest displays are from spring through fall. Baja red fairy duster has ferny green foliage, and an open irregular form that lends itself well to natural landscapes. Mature plants might reach a size of 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. Baja red fairy duster can be used in full sun or part shade, and is tolerant of most soil types. Temperatures below 25° F can cause some twig damage. Any shaping or pruning should be done in the late spring, but be careful not to overdue it, as too much pruning will inhibit flower production! USDA Zone 9.

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Native Fairy Duster A fine-textured shrub growing 3' tall x 3-4' wide. Little pink blooms resembling powder puffs appear in the spring and intermittently through rest of year in response to moisture. Flower color ranges white to pink into some red and as it is usually grown from seed there can be lots of variability. It is considered quite cold tolerant although it will freeze to ground in serious frost. Native from Texas to California on dry rocky hills at elevations of 2000-5000'. Good for erosion control. Although very drought tolerant, fairy duster will go deciduous over prolonged dry periods. Coarse well-drained soil is preferred. Hardy to 5° F. USDA Zone 7.

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Bolivian native. Large shrub this can be up to 10' but often less due to frost limits. Large red puffballs during winter New growth bronze. Not particularly xeric. Protect from hard frost.

Weeping Bottlebrush Tree A small tree with spreading branches growing to 15-30'. Produces narrow clusters of dark red flowers, and performs best with average to occasional summer watering. With regular watering, this can be elegant, showy flowering tree. Open habit of weeping growth. Tolerant of full sun and reflected heat. Subject to chlorosis with in proper watering.

Woody perennial shrub/groundcover 1.5' tall by 3' wide. Creamy yellow 1" flowers March through June. Evergreen low desert but will die back to ground with a hard frost . Spreads by rhizomes. Can do well in containers. Full Sun or some shade. Prefers good drainage. Leaves are narrow. Cut back periodically to regenerate growth & flowers. Flowers open morning yellow turning orange & pink as they die. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Mexico 4500-7000' grasslands and mountains.

Sundrops For many years, we have struggled with growing Calylophus hartwegii in Phoenix. It just isn't happy in our summer heat. That's why we're so excited about this new variety. It has performed well in full sun exposures during our hottest months. However, it might appreciate just a touch of afternoon shade in the low deserts. It is native over a large area, growing in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, and northern Mexico. This woody perennial grows to about 12 to 15 inches tall by 2 feet wide. It can be cut back in early spring if it becomes too woody, or suffers any frost damage. This plant is hardy to at least 0° F. During the summer months it is covered with clear yellow, 1 to 2 inch wide flowers. These blossoms have a 24 hour life span, opening at night and fading to an orange-pink color by late afternoon. Plant Sundrops in well-drained soil, and be careful not to over water. It is very susceptible to flea beetles, but they are easily controlled with common insecticides. USDA Zone 7.

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Trumpet Vine A fast, deciduous vine reaching 20' tall or more. It bears large, pinnate leaflets and terminal clusters of large orange trumpet-shaped flowers in summer and fall. Tolerant of heat, cold and drought, and is relatively tolerant of alkaline soils. The vine should be grown in sun to part shade, with little summer watering.

Texas Hill Country Sedge is a great alternative for turf lawns in many areas of the Southwest, and can be used as an informal meadow grass as well. This sedge can reach 4-6" in height, or can be kept smaller if mowed. Drought tolerant when established, Can be adapted to most any soil. This grass will stay evergreen except through the coldest winters.

California native, rhizomatous. Native on alkaline soil. Lw and adapted to a lawn use. Sun or shade. Somewhat drought tolerant. Will take some traffic.

Texas Sedge is a low, clumping grass that can reach about 4" tall by 6" wide per plant. Leaves are dark green in color, and should remain evergreen in all but the coldest areas of its natural range. Greenish-white flower stalks are produced in the spring. Can be used as a low-maintenance lawn replacement, needing only 2-3 mows per year to remain looking healthy. This sedge will grow best if given partial to full shade. Adaptable to any type of soil.

Evergreen in warm areas, clumping grass to 2' tall and wide. Widely adaptable, can be planted in wet soil or arid soil, tolerates sun to shade, and can be drought tolerant. Tan to brown flowers show in spring. Native on dry soil Washington s to coastal California. Spreads by rhizomes. Deep green. Can be mowed periodically. Drought tolerant.

Natal Plum A very compact form usually under 2'. Scalloped tight leafing can be used in a container or even made into a low hedge. Drought tolerant but a little frost tender.

Natal Plum Low growing, leaves smaller than many of the cultivars. As with them all, it can suffer frost damage but will recover with heat.

Natal Plum A larger growing cultivar than Green Carpet or Boxwood Beauty. This will make a shrub at least 6' overall. Dark green glossy foliage. Quite drought tolerant but slightly frost tender.

Saguaro is perhaps one of the most enduring species of the Southwest. This can reach a mature size of over 50' tall, by 25' wide. Plants in the wild will not even begin to grow arms until they are 100 years old. Once established, virtually no care is required. large, night-blooming white flowers abound between May and June. Native across the Southwest and into Mexico.

A flowering groundcover useful for erosion control. Is also fire retardant. Tolerant of sun, reflected sun or even salty conditions. Drought tolerant. Best with well drained. With in proper watering, can die back. Rabbit food. Will compete with trees and other plants. Grows to 6" tall spreading 6', rapid with moisture, Pacific coast native. Leaves are three-angled 3-4" long. Will root down. Terminal flowers are slightly fragrant rosy purple to pink during summer.

Blue Mist This native of east Asia is a hybrid between Caryopteris incana and Caryopteris mongolica. The bloodlines must have been excellent, because this little shrub is a real winner! Blue mist blooms all summer, with whorls of deep blue flowers clustered at the branch tips. As an added bonus, these turn into attractive dried seed heads in the fall and winter. The flowers are rich in nectar, attracting both butterflies and bees. Blue mist grows to 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide, in a dense mound. The long, narrow grey-green leaves are quite aromatic, and seem to repel deer. The leaves drop in the winter, and this is a good time to prune the plant back vigorously. Plant Blue mist in full sun or part shade, well-drained soils, and be sure to provide supplemental water during the bloom period. This plant is cold hardy to -20° F, and has tolerated the summer heat in Phoenix surprisingly well. USDA Zone 5.

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Hackberry Large upright tree to as much as 100' tall and wide. Very cold hardy, widely adaptable to different climates. Great choice for a street tree or for areas close to buildings. Leaves are large and elm like. It is native in N and E USA into Texas. Probably should be grown by cuttings as seedlings are erratic growers.

10-15' tall by 8-10' wide. Moderately fast grower, A thorny evergreen shrub, Small dark green leaves. Tiny edible sweet orange fruit in fall. Bird attractor. Native in SW and northern Mexico 2-4000', Sun, Partial Shade. Slow. A dense twiggy plant. Larval food plant for snout butterfly and empress leilia.

Net leaf Hackberry, Canyon Hackberry Although it is by no means "new", Net leaf hackberry has not received the attention it deserves. This hardy tree tolerates full sun and reflected heat, soils with low fertility, and is resistant to Texas root rot. Native along streambeds and hillsides at elevations from 1500 to 6000 feet, this tree is tolerant of a wide range of conditions. It is a great tree for retention basins, as it can tolerate periodic flooding and drought. Eventually, it can reach a mature size of 30 feet tall and wide. Net leaf hackberry is deciduous, but has a wonderful arching branch pattern that is revealed when the tree is bare of foliage. Its smooth gray bark becomes fissured with age, creating great character. The dark green leaves have the texture of sandpaper, with conspicuous netlike veins visible on the underside. Birds feed on the small orange-red fruit that remain on the tree through the winter months. Its shallow roots can become a problem when trees are planted too close to building foundations. Net leaf hackberry is extremely long-lived, from 100 to 200 years. USDA Zone 8.

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Carob Tree Evergreen tree which could be a large hedge or shrub also. 34-40' by same. Moderately fast. From Mediterranean. Pinnately compound leaves, dark glossy green. Male and Females are separate with the females the pod producers. Females produce the pods. Pod and foliage litter, Texas root rot prone, verticillium, sooty canker and nematodes, Frost sensitive when young, Male flowers are unpleasant smelling, Does not like heavy wet soil, Sun and heat tolerant as well as drought.

Red Bud One of the three distinct varieties of this beautiful, unarmed, spring flowering tree. Usually native in areas with at least 35" of rainfall. Leaves are thin, large, dull green on both sides, heart shaped and sharp pointed.

Mexican Red Bud Small tree 15' x same. Slow . Dark green glossy crinkled leathery heart shaped leaves smlr than canad.. Usually multi-stemmed small tree. Small purple pink flowers before leaves spring. Brown seed pods not very attractive. Native of Chihuahua. Canadensis is a much larger tree from the Eastern USA. Covering of dense wool on petioles & branches identifies the Mexican variety. Native on limestone at 12-20" of rainfall. Tex. & Mex both sucker, eastern does not.