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.       If there are any errors, please email the webmaster at the bottom of the page so that we can correct it for everyone.

Mountain Man will show you scales of plants denotes plants usually in production

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Fallugia paradoxa

Apache Plume was named for its feathery seed heads, which bear a striking resemblance to Indian feather bonnets. It occurs over much of the southwestern U.S., and into northern Mexico, at elevations from 3000 to 8000 feet. It is hardy to -30° F. Another staple for high desert gardens, this long-lived shrub is semi-evergreen, fast growing, and ranges in size from 3 to 8 feet tall and wide, depending on available moisture. Its wheat-colored branches are lined with small, olive-green, lobed leaves. Apache plume blooms in April and May with small white flowers, followed by white to pink feathery fruit clusters from May to October. These small fluffy plumes are produced in great abundance, and provide a dramatic effect when backlit by the sun. Apache plume should be planted in full sun and well-drained soil. It responds to deep monthly irrigations. This durable, low maintenance shrub is ideal for reflected heat locations such as roadways and parking lots. It is also extremely useful for wildlife habitat, erosion control, and screening. Native Americans brewed a tea from the leaves to promote hair growth. USDA Zone 4.

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Feijoa sellowiana

Classified as an evergreen shrub or a small tree, this plant can be pruned to almost any size or shape. Its foliage is gray-green and silvery underneath. White flowers with bright red stamens can be seen, followed by 1-4" long, oval, edible fruit. Full sun is required for proper growth.

Ficus microcarpa nitida

Fast growing, broad shade tree native to India and the Pacific islands of Borneo and Malaysia. Can eventually reach a mature size of about 40' tall and wide. Very tropical looking shade tree that needs regular watering in the low desert. Can be used in a lawn setting. Full sun.

Delicate leaves turn yellow in fall. Tiny yellow flowers before leaves. Male & Females. Need both for fruit formation. Bird attractor. Light gray bark contrasts with blue green foliage. Upright, stiffly branched deciduous shrub or small tree to 20'. Widely distributed 3-7000'. Soil tolerant. Full sun. Can be left natural or hedged. Wildlife food.

Boojum is a unique specimen, usually just a single trunk that grows upright to about 50' tall.  Boojum is extremely slow growing, and is only in leaf through the warm season.  Yellow to cream flowers are produced in clusters, but only tend to be produced on plants smaller than 6' tall.  The succulent trunk can withstand considerable drought while dormant, needs regular water while in leaf.

Palo Adan is a smaller, shrubbier form of Ocotillo, this only gets to about 7-8' tall and wide. Red flowers are produced throughout the summer, they attract hummingbirds. Palo Adan is frost-deciduous, and requires supplemental water through the summer.  Full sun is best, well-drained soils.

Small tree or large shrub that can reach a mature size of 24' tall by 18' wide. Growth habit is irregular, with long spiny branches. The small green leaves that line the branches are drought-deciduous, but will remain on the plant with supplemental irrigation. Bright red flower clusters appear primarily in spring, but can bloom intermittently throughout the year.  Rocky slopes in Sonora 500-2500'. Short thick trunk.

Ocotillo  Deciduous 6-30' by up to 15'. Moderate growth with water. During warm growing months irrigate every month if no rain. Slender spined branches ascend from a common base. SW USA. Drought deciduous. In spring, spiky clusters of bright red flowers.  Too much water can surely kill this plant. Good drainage important. Stem tip cuttings can be made during warm months.

Fraxinus cuspidata

Flowering Ash  Flowers are strongly fragrant covering the tree with a blanket ofwhite. An attractive small tree growing in the Trans Pecos to 12' in slightly acid igneous soil or slightly alkaline limestone from 5000-7000'

Fraxinus greggii

Littleleaf Ash  This versatile plant can either be used as a large shrub, or shaped into a lovely small tree. At maturity, Littleleaf ash can reach a height of 15 feet, with a 10 to 15 foot spread. Since it will take several years and some judicious pruning for this plant to develop a tree-like form, some patience is required. The bright green, fine-textured foliage looks good all year, and contrasts nicely with the smooth grey bark. In the spring, old leaves are shed as new ones develop, but the tree never goes completely bare. Other than this minor leaf drop, Littleleaf ash is a very clean and trouble-free plant. Its flowers are inconspicuous. Place Littleleaf ash in full sun or part shade and well-drained soil. It grows faster with ample summer irrigation, but can handle drought conditions as well. It is hardy to 10° F. USDA Zone 8.

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Fraxinus velutina

Arizona Ash is a large tree that can grow to 60' tall by up to 40' wide. Fast growing, this tree will flush out in the spring and drop its compound leaves in the late fall. Flowers are inconspicuous. Drought tolerant once established. Full sun is best.

Furcraea macdoughlii

This plant can reach to 25' from a thick, straight trunk with very upright pointing leaves. The leaves form a large rosette individually being up to 7' long and nearly 3" across.  Leaves are quite succulent and dull green.  The flower spike can be 25' in height.  It is from Oaxaca.  It is not very frost tolerant but is somewhat drought tolerant and will prefer well drained sites.  In the low desert, additional moisture is needed.