Medium low-water-use shrubs can be a great asset to your Central Phoenix Real Estate. Under windows, along walk ways and in front of fences are all good places to grow medium shrubs. My criteria for medium shrubs is a shrub between four and five feet tall and here are some choices:
- Superstition Mallow (Abutilon Palmeri) is a low-water-use fast growing evergreen plant native to Arizona and Sonora Mexico. It can tolerate full sunlight to partial shade, is hardy to 20 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Superstition Mallow grows upright & open to about four feet tall by three feet across and has orange-yellow flowers from spring to fall. This planc creates a subtropical effect and has heart-shaped velvety leaves.
- Fourwing Saltbush (Atriplex Canescens) is a VERY low-water-use moderate growing evergreen plant native to western North America. It can tolerate full reflected sunlight, is hardy to zero degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Fourwing Saltbush grows rounded & dense to about five feet tall by eight feet across and tolerates tough conditions.
- Barberry (Berberis Trifoliolata) is a VERY low-water-use slow to moderate growing evergreen plant native to the Chihuahuan Desert. It can tolerate full sun, is hardy to 15 degrees, has low litter and prickly leaves. Barberry grows rounded to about five feet tall by five feet across and has yellow blooms from late wither to spring. This plant may be sold as Mahonia Trifoliolata and its red berries attract birds.
- Woolly Butterfly Bush (Buddleia Marrubifolia) is a VERY low-water-use moderate growing evergreen plant native to the Chihuahuan Desert. It can tolerate full reflected sunlight, is hardy to 15 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Woolly Butterfly Bush grows upright & dense to about five feet tall by five feet across and has orange flowers from spring to midsummer which attract butterflies. (I just cannot figure out where they got the name?)
- Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra Clifornica) is a moderate-water-use and moderate growing semievergreen plant native to Baja California. It can tolerate full sun, is hardy to 20 degrees, has low litter and not thorns. Baja Fairy Duster grows upright & open to about five feet tall by five feet across and has red powderpuffs spring to fall which attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Bush Dalea (Dalea Pulchra) is a low-water-use moderate to fast growing evergreen plant native to Arizona and Mexico. It can tolerate full sun, is hardy to 10 degrees, has moderate litter and no thorns. Bush Dalea grows rounded & airy to about four feet tall by five feet across and has violet bloom clusters from winter to spring which attract butterflies.
- Red Eremophila (Eremophila Maculata v. Brevifolia) is a moderate-water-use and moderate growing evergreen plant native to Australia. It can tolerate full sun, is hardy to 25 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Red Eremophila grows upright & open to about four feet tall by five feet across and has red tubular flowers late wither to spring which attract hummingbirds. Look for selections that offer a variety of leaf forms and flower colors.
- Guayacan (Guaiacum Coulteri) is a low-water-use slow to moderate growing semievergreen plant native to Sonora. It can tolerate full sun to partial shade, is hardy to 25 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Guayacan grows rounded & open to about five feet tall by five feet across and has vivid colored deep violet-blue blooms in the summer.
- Firecracker Bush (Hamelia Patens) is a moderate-water-use and moderate growing semievergreen plant native Florida to South America. It can tolerate full sun to partial shade, is hardy to 25 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Firecracker Bush grows upright to about four feet tall by four feet across and has red-orange flowers in the summer which attract hummingbirds. This plant has colorful winter foliage.
- Chuparosa (Justicia Californica) is a low-water-use moderate growing semievergreen plant native to the Sonoran Desert. It can tolerate full sun, is hardy to 25 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Chuparosa grows sprawling to four feet tall by four feet across and has orange to red or yellow tubular blooms from late winter to spring which attract hummingbirds.
- Chihuahuan Sage (Leucophyllum Laevigatum) is a VERY low-water-use moderate 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. Chihuahuan Sage grows rounded & open to about four feet tall by five feet across and has fragrant lavender flowers from summer to fall.
- Langman’s Sage (Leucophyllum Langmaniae) is a VERY low-water-use moderate 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. Langman’s Sage grows rounded & Dense to about five feet tall by five feet across and has lavender blooms from summer to fall.
- Myrtle (Myrtus Communis) is a moderate-water-use and moderate growing evergreen plant native to the Mediterranean. It can tolerate full sun to partial shade, is hardy to 20 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Myrtle grows upright & dense to about five feet tall and four feet across, has fragrant foliage and fragrant white flowers in spring.
- Shrubby Senna (Senna Wislizenii) is a VERY low-water-use moderate growing deciduous plant native to the Chihuahuan Desert. It can tolerate full sun, is hardy to 10 degrees, has low litter and no thorns. Shrubby Senna grows upright to about four feet tall by six feet across and has bright yellow bloom clusters in summer.
These plants can be a great choice for your Central Phoenix Real Estate’s low-water-use landscape. Add your favorite medium 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:
