Large low-water-use shrubs can be a great focal point for your Central Phoenix Real Estate. Where you might plant a tree, in the center of a yard and in front of a bare wall of your house are all good places to grow large shrubs. My criteria for large shrubs is a shrub over five feet tall and here are some choices:
- Bee Brush (Aloysia Gratissima) is a VERY low-water-use moderate growing semievergreen plant native to the Chihuahuan Desert and South America. It can tolerate full sun, is hardy to 15 degrees, has moderate litter and very small thorns. Bee Brush grows upright & open to about six feet tall by six feet across, has fragrant foliage and scented white to pale purple flowers from spring to fall which attract butterflies (and maybe bees?).
- Yellow Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia Gilliesii) is a low-water-use moderate growing semievergreen plant native to Argentina. It can tolerate full sun, is hardy to 5 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Yellow Bird of Paradise grows upright & open to about six feet tall by five feet across and has exotic yellow flowers with red stamens from spring to fall which attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia Mexicana) is a moderate-water-use moderate to fast growing evergreen plant native to Mexico. It can tolerate full sun, is hardy to 15 degrees, has moderate litter and no thorns. Mexican Bird of Paradise grows upright & open to about ten feet tall by eight feet across and has yellow flower spikes from spring to fall which attract hummingbirds.
- Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia Pulcherrima) is a moderate-water-use fast growing deciduous plant native to the West Indies and Mexico. I can tolerate full sun, is hardy to 30 degrees, has low litter and prickly stems. Red Bird of Paradise grows rounded & open to about six feet tall by six feet across and has yellow or orange & yellow flowers late spring to fall which attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Little-Leaf Cordia (Cordia Parvifoia) is a VERY low-water-use moderate growing semievergreen plant native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts. It can tolerate full reflected sunlight, is hardy to 18 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Little-Leaf Cordia grows to about six feet tall by six feet across and has rose-purple flower clusters in fall to early winter.
- Desert Lavender (Hyptis Emoryi) is a VERY low-water-use moderate growing evergreen plant native to the southwestern deserts. It can tolerate full reflected sunlight, is hardy to 25 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Desert Lavender grows to about six feet tall by four feet across and has tiny lavender blooms in the spring whic attract hummingbirds.
- Creosote Bush (Larrea Tridentata) is a VERY low-water-use moderate growing evergreen plant native to the North American deserts. It can tolerate full reflected sunlight, is hardy to 5 degress, has low litter and no thorns. Creosote Bush grows to about six feet tall by six feet across and has small yellow blooms from spring to fall. The folieage is fragrant after rain.
- Texas Sage (Leucophyllum Frutescens) is a VERY low-water-use fast growing evergreen plant native to the Chihuahuan Desert. It can tolerate full reflected sunlight, is hardy to 10 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Texas Sage grows to about six feet tall by sex feet across and has white, pink or purple flowers in the summer to fall.
- Cape Honeysuckle (Tecomaria Capensis) is a moderate-water-use fast growing evergreen plant native to South Africa. It can tolerate full sun to partial shade, is hardy to 28 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Cape Honeysucle grows to about six feet tall by five feet across and has vivid orange-red blooms year round in frost-free weather.
These plants can be a great choice for your Central Phoenix Real Estate’s low-water-use landscape. Add your favorite large shrubs in the comments and be sure to let me know if you see anything that you would describe differently.
To order brochures with more information on the right low-water-use plants for you, contact the City of Phoenix:
