Little Leaf Cordia
Cordia parvifolia
Crisp white blooms after every desert rain.
Stan Shebs / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 — license
Schedule: Weekly to twice-weekly in summer, less in cooler months.
Emitters: 1–2 emitters per shrub adjusted seasonally.
Most desert-adapted shrubs prefer drying out between waterings.
Arizona yards have very different microclimates. West-facing walls, glass, artificial turf, pavers, travertine, porcelain, and pool decking all increase reflected heat. AE considers these before confirming placement.
- Low root impact
AE verifies pool deck, paver, foundation, wall, and utility clearances before final planting.
Quick Facts
- Plant type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 6–8 ft tall and wide
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water use
- Very low
- Bloom season
- Spring–fall
- Flower color
- White
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Thorns / spines
- None
- Litter level
- Low
- Pool area
- Good with placement
- Pet/kid placement
- Good
- Maintenance
- Low
- Privacy value
- Medium
- Shade value
- Low
- Native
- Desert-adapted
About Little Leaf Cordia
A clean, white-flowering desert shrub that brings light into a planting scheme.
Best uses: White-flowering accent, pollinator gardens
AE Designer Opinion
Design Uses
- Accent shrub
- Mass planting
- Patio edge
Care & Maintenance
- Very low water
- Minimal pruning
- Full sun
Pairs Well With
- Texas Sage
- Damianita
- Red Yucca
More Arizona Plants Like This
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