Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert


From the bold, armored leaves of the agaves to the delicate foliage of the fragrant-flowered acacias, landscape plants greatly enhance our urban landscapes in the Arizona desert. In our region of the Sonoran Desert, hundreds of low-water-use plants are available that vary in color, texture, form, and function. The purpose of this booklet is to help you select from the best of these plants to create an attractive, water efficient landscape.

The featured plants are drought hardy, tolerant of heat and cold, and adapted to our soil conditions. Many are native to our region, while others come from arid climates around the world. All the plants featured in this publication were carefully chosen from the Arizona Department of Water Resources Low Water Use / Drought Tolerant Plant List by a team of landscape professionals.

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This 48-page booklet features details about each plant arranged in easy-to-reference charts, and each plant is beautifully illustrated with a color photograph. A guide to understanding plant names and a cross reference index are included in the booklet as well. Plants included in the booklet A list of the plants included in the booklet is available in .pdf format [download pdf], as well as the html version. Additional information We could only fit so much information on plant selection into a 47-page booklet, but we still have plenty of room on this site! We are compiling information on new plant introductions, we have posted 20 downloadable plant flyers, as well as lists of plants for specific uses (seasonal color, poolscaping, rabbit resistance) and examples of plant combinations. Where to get the booklet To receive a free copy of Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert, contact your AMWUA member water conservation office or regional conservation partners.		Search for the plants you need on our new online search engine. Featuring the information originally published in the print version, we've added photos and given you many different ways to search for plants. Looking for white plants that grow in shade? Plants that serve as a screen and can take full, reflected sun? Bunny-proof plants? Plants perfect for pools? Acknowledgements There were many people who provided valuable assistance in the development of this booklet. We couldn't list them all in the booklet, so we have done so here. Other publications There are other AMWUA publications that can assist you in designing, irrigating, and maintaining a beautiful, water-efficient landscape. If you are interested in more great resources, check out our recommended reading list (pdf).
"Desert-adapted plants not only look unusual, they have considerably different growth habits and care requirements than species common to other regions. Even experienced gardeners sometimes struggle, using trial and error to determine which plants 'fit' in their landscapes. The folks at the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association ride to the rescue with a terrific new resource." - Cathy Cromell

The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) is a voluntary, non-profit corporation established by municipalities in Maricopa County for the development of urban water resources policy.