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Some controversy as to whether or not this plant will withstand reflected heat.

Does *not* like high organic matter - will look lousy in a typical nursery pot because of the soil, does much better in lean, rocky and well drained desert soil. Will get chlorotic with too much water, looks awful without enough. Prefers infrequent, deep watering, as is typical of native desert plants. Originates in Baja, Mexico.

Is known to be salt tolerant, as well. Has a rounded shape, little pruning is needed.

Closely related to common cotton plant.

This is a beautiful plant that varies from silver to bit more blue.with small black teeth edging part way down the leaf and a black terminal spine. They tend to clump freely and form nice, rounded mounds.

This species needs some shade in the low desert's intense sun, but almost no supplemental water - a once a month soaking in the hottest parts of Phoenix summer is sufficient.

There is some evidence that this plant is resistant to the Agave Snout Weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus.

Propagation is primarily through pups.

One of my absolute favorite Agaves, in case you couldn't tell. 8*)

This particular agave is solitary, meaning that it does not produce offsets. It also does not produce bulbils from the inflorescence and is self-sterile.

This is one of the most widely planted Agave species in the Southwest of the United States There are at least three different cultivars; A. americana 'Marginata', A. americana var. medio-picta, and A. americana var. striata - all three having various stripes of different colors (green, yellow and creamy white) than the glaucous blue of the species.

Unfortunately, this impressive plant is also very susceptible to the Agave Snout Weevil, as are many of the looser-leaved blue Agaves.

Preferred larval food plant for Western Monarch butterflies.

Tolerant of both wet and dry environments.

Deer resistant.

Very important plant in the Arizona deserts for Monarch and Striated Queen Butterfly - larval food. Will also grow in California and Northern New Mexico - one source I see says Nevada, but I'm betting it is an annual there.

Very tough plant!

This is a very attractive succulent, often commonly referred to as Moroccan mound. As you might have guessed, Euphorbia resinifera is endemic to Morocco, although it has been used in western American gardens (primarily California) for decades (earliest writing, 1930).

Nicely spreading succulent, excellent in rock gardens and pots. Very low water use. Full sun in all but the hot deserts where afternoon shade is appreciated.

This plant is commonly known by a number of names, and there is some controversy as to its scientific name - T. tenuiloba may actually be T.pentachaeta. Regardless, Golden Fleece is a reseeding, short-lived perennial in zones 9-11. Elsewhere it is a popular annual. Its dainty appearance belies its toughness; this is an excellent choice for hot, dry areas. The tiny, bright yellow, daisy-shaped blooms are offset by delicate, ferny foliage. It thrives in poorer soil but requires excellent drainage.

This lily is native to Eastern and Mid-America. It can be found as far south as Florida and as far west as Missouri and Arkansas.According to Wikipedia, it is listed as endangered in Florida and New Hampshire, threatened in Kentucky, and "exploitably vulnerable" in New York.

One of its common names is "Swamp Lily", probably referring to it's preference for lightly moist to wet soils.

I saw this coneflower at the New York Botanical gardens and was immediately attracted (fatally?) by the dark purple stems (no, those aren't shadows) that set off the pink blooms. I also loved that it was more "button" shaped, which I prefer over the reflexed petals many of the Echinacea have.

I haven't planted it in my own gardens yet - it isn't terribly easy to find and the one source I did find was a bit pricey. But the search continues....

This flower stopped me in my tracks the first time I saw it growing in Phoenix, Arizona. It is one of those shish-ke-bab flowers - the blooms are spaced out on stalk of 3-4'. They're a light yellow and unusual in form.

This plant can withstand very hot summers (zn 9), but will need additional water. In milder summers it is somewhat drought tolerant.

The leaves are fairly large, triangular, almost olive in color, with a felt-like feel. They grow thickly, making a good weed barrier. They are not harmed by frost, so I guess in my 6b/7a area you could call it semi-evergreen. In the two years I've had it, it has spread about 6".

The only issue I've had since growing this plant is that it takes a good while to bloom - this will be my third year and I'm hoping this is it!

Easily grown shrub, can grow in both dry soils and partly moist soils. Prefers sandy or rocky soils with good drainage. Deep roots aid in drought tolerance.

Provides winter interest: new twigs are bright yellow and stand out.

Common name came from when the plant's dried leaves were used as a tea substitute during the American Revolutionary War.

I planted Orion 2 summers ago. Although it has survived, it hasn't spread much or bloomed much in a partly shady patch where G. sanguineum and Johnson's blue are thriving.

I think I'll move it to a sunnier spot and see if it does better -it has been rather frustrating. In general these plants are little to no care, do well in my clay soil and have a pretty leaf shape that is striking when some of them turn red in the fall.

One of my favorite plants - it reminds me of something out of a Dr. Seuss book. The flowers are pompoms strung on a stem, one arising from the next. The leaves are the felty gray-green that is so typical of many desert plants, and they give off a very particular scent when crushed.

To say that the plant is aromatic is an understatement. I love the smell, some people don't - probably because it can be strong. I carried one home from a sale in my car once and it perfumed the whole car.

If you plant this flower, please remember that it is a desert plant and must be given excellent drainage or it will suffer from root rot.

As you can see between the two pictures I have posted, the blooms start with a much more yellow coloration that fades out to pure white. The markings on this tulip are gorgeous but I'm afraid that it probably won't come back - I've since read that the "Triumph" series rarely survive long and are best treated as annuals.

This is actually the true Amaryllis - the flowers that we see around Christmas are of the Hippeastrum family that have adopted the common name of Amaryllis. The common name is "Naked Lady", which refers to the leafless bloom. Lycoris squamigera is also called "Naked Lady" and has a similar bloom.

As with many South African natives, this bulb prefers dry summers, sunny to slightly shady exposure, and is fairly xeric. A Mediterranean climate is probably the best approximation.

Beautiful, almost other-worldly flowers on vigorous vines. Loves heat. Can survive some drought. I have grown this both in Phoenix, Arizona and currently in Tennessee.

Passionflowers are a host plant for the Frittilary butterflies. They might partially defoliate the plant but I've never seen one permanently harmed. The butterflies then come back and add to the show when the plant is in bloom.

Although a very attractive bush and widely used, Nandina is listed as invasive throughout the south-eastern United States and Texas. Because it is tolerant of shady areas it will grow in areas of forest with heavy tree cover.

Host plant for the tawny emperor and the mourning cloak butterfly caterpillars. Also provides food for birds: Quail, pheasants, woodpeckers, and cedar waxwings.

Tolerates wet soils, is not picky about the soil it is in.

Native to the Mediterranean. Loves sunshine and warmth, although some cold hardy strains (Arp, to zone 6) have been cultivated. Quite xeric.

One of my favorite plants. If I brush up against it while gardening I can smell the scent for hours on my clothing. One of my favorite herbs to cook with -sprinkle rosemary, garlic and salt on a lightly oiled salmon fillet - heaven!