Native plants (Sonoran Desert)
True natives — co-evolved with the AZ climate. Once established, they need little to no supplemental water and feed local wildlife.
Palo Verde (Desert Museum)
Parkinsonia 'Desert Museum'
Iconic AZ shade tree. Yellow spring bloom. Thornless, sterile.
Full sunWater: very low
Velvet Mesquite
Prosopis velutina
Native shade tree. Excellent canopy. Don't over-water or it blows down in monsoon.
Full sunWater: very low
Ironwood
Olneya tesota
Slowest-growing native tree. Outlives the house. Lavender spring bloom.
Full sunWater: very low
Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
The smell of rain in the desert. Evergreen, indestructible.
Full sunWater: very low
Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa
Silver foliage, yellow spring daisies. Short-lived but self-seeds.
Full sunWater: very low
Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis
Small tree. Orchid-like blooms May–October. Deciduous.
Full sunWater: low
Hopbush
Dodonaea viscosa
Evergreen screening shrub. Tolerates AZ heat with no fuss.
Full sun / part shadeWater: low
Agave (various)
Agave parryi, A. desmettiana, A. weberi
Sculptural focal points. Choose pup-free varieties to avoid maintenance.
Full sunWater: very low
Planning to add these? Pair with the fertilizer schedule for the right monthly feeding plan.