Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert | Low-Water Succulents and Accents


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LOW-WATER SUCCULENTS AND ACCENTS
With a minimum amount of care, succulent and accent plants provide dramatic sculptural qualities unique to Southwest gardens. As a landscape element, accents attract attention or focus the eye to a specific location. Use accents individually or as a grouping for an even more dramatic effect. Avoid too many different accents in one location or the effect may be lost. Some of these plants can overwhelm a small garden, so check the plant's mature size before planting. Since many have thorns or spines, locate them away from walkways, play areas, or traffic areas. Do not overwater during the winter months. Keep in mind that once agaves mature, almost all will produce a spectacular flower stalk. Depending on the species, agaves will die after they bloom, usually 5 to 20 years after planting. However, many produce new plants with offsets or pups. Use caution when cutting plant parts, as the sap can be irritating.

Click the photo or [more info] link to get detailed information about each plant.


Common Name: Lechuguilla Verde Botanical Name: Agave bovicornuta		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 20°F Sun: partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 3' H X 3' W Form: open rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: yellow Flower Season: late winter to spring Litter: low Thorns: medium, sharp tips Allergenic: no
Native to: Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico, Sonora Mexico Other Features: Reddish brown marginal teeth are highly decorative. Also known as Cow's Horn Agave. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Mescal Ceniza Botanical Name: Agave colorata		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 3' H X 3' W Form: compact rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: yellow Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: medium, sharp tips Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, Sonora Mexico Other Features: Striking banded leaves. Distinctive toothed margins. Also try A. chrysantha, A. murpheyi, and A. palmeri. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Smooth Agave Botanical Name: Agave desmettiana		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 25°F Sun: partial sun, shade Water: very low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 3' H X 3' W Form: open rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: light green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Bright yellow Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: none, sharp tips Allergenic: no
Native to: Horticultural Selection Other Features: Very attractive. Smooth leaf margins. Also try A. desmettiana 'variegata' and A. angustifolia. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Twin-flowered Agave Botanical Name: Agave geminiflora		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 25°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 3' H X 3' W Form: open rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: yellow Flower Season: winter Litter: low Thorns: none, sharp tips Allergenic: no
Native to: central Mexico, Mexico, west central Mexico, central Mexico, west central Mexico Other Features: Symmetrical slender leaves with smooth margins. Also try A. oacahui and A. victoriae-reginae. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Parry's Agave Botanical Name: Agave parryi		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full sun Water: very low Growth Rate: slow Mature Size: 2' H X 2' W Form: compact rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Bright yellow Flower Season: summer Litter: low Thorns: small, sharp tips Allergenic: no
Native to: Arizona, Chihuahuan Desert Other Features: Particularly decorative. Distinctive leaf impressions. Also try A. macroacantha and A. neomexicana. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Octopus Agave Botanical Name: Agave vilmoriniana		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 20°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 4' H X 5' W Form: open rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: light green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: yellow Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: none, soft tips Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, northwest Mexico Other Features: Smooth margins and soft terminal thorns. Also try A. bracteosa. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Weber's Agave Botanical Name: Agave weberi		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 12°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 6' H X 6' W Form: open rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: blue-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: yellow Flower Season: spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: very small, sharp tips Allergenic: no
Native to: Horticultural Selection Other Features: Bold specimen plant with smooth margins. Also try A. americana 'Mediopicta' and A. salmiana. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Dawe's Aloe Botanical Name: Aloe dawei		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 27°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 2' H X 3' W Form: shrublike E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: reddish green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Red spikes Flower Season: winter Litter: low Thorns: none, soft tips Allergenic: no Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: Africa, Central Africa Other Features: Striking winter color. Attracts hummingbirds. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Cape Aloe Botanical Name: Aloe ferox		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 25°F Sun: partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 5' H X 3' W Form: upright rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: blue-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Orange-red spikes Flower Season: winter to spring Litter: low Thorns: small, sharp tips Allergenic: no Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: Africa, South Africa Other Features: Showy candelabra-shaped flower spikes attract hummingbirds. Also try A. dichotoma and A. marlothii. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Partridge Breast Aloe Botanical Name: Aloe variegata		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 20°F Sun: partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 1' H X 1' W Form: clumping E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: spotted green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Salmon spikes Flower Season: winter to spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Africa, South Africa Other Features: Good for small spaces and containers. Also try hybrid A. 'Blue Elf' and A. striata. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Medicinal Aloe Botanical Name: Aloe vera		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 25°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 2' H X 5' W Form: clumping E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Yellow spikes Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: none, soft tips Allergenic: no Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
May be sold as Aloe barbadensis Native to: Horticultural Selection Other Features: A prolific and tough aloe. Attracts hummingbirds. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Desert Milkweed Botanical Name: Asclepias subulata		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 20°F Sun: full or reflected sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 3' H X 3' W Form: upright, open E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: White clusters Flower Season: spring to fall Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: butterflies
Native to: Sonoran Desert Other Features: Strong vertical accent. Attracts butterflies. Also try A. linaria. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Yellow Bulbine Botanical Name: Bulbine frutescens		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: partial sun Water: low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 1' H X 2' W Form: clumping E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: bright green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Yellow spikes Flower Season: winter to spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Africa, South Africa Other Features: This small, charming succulent does well in containers. Look for selections with orange flowers. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Sago Palm Botanical Name: Cycas revoluta		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: partial sun, shade Water: moderate Growth Rate: very slow Mature Size: 5' H X 4' W Form: palmlike E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Small brown cones Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: none, pointed leaflets Allergenic: no
Native to: Japan Other Features: Provides subtropical effect. Good for containers. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Grass Tree Botanical Name: Dasylirion longissimum		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full sun Water: low Growth Rate: slow Mature Size: 5' H X 5' W Form: grassy rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: White to cream Flower Season: summer Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Recently reclassified as Dasylirion quadrangulatum. Native to: Mexico, northeast Mexico Other Features: Exceptional specimen plant. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Desert Spoon Botanical Name: Dasylirion wheeleri		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 0°F Sun: full sun Water: low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 4' H X 4' W Form: open rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: gray-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Cream on tall stalks Flower Season: late spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: none, sawtooth leaves Allergenic: no
Native to: Arizona, Chihuahuan Desert, southern Arizona Other Features: Distinct accent plant with twisting leaves. Also try D. acrotriche for shady areas. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Candelilla Botanical Name: Euphorbia antisyphilitica		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 15°F Sun: full or reflected sun, partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 1' H X 2' W Form: upright, open E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: pale green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Pink and white Flower Season: spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Chihuahuan Desert Other Features: Clusters of slender upright, leafless stems. Good in containers. Also try E. resinifera. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Ocotillo Botanical Name: Fouquieria splendens		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 10°F Sun: full sun Water: very low Growth Rate: slow Mature Size: 12' H X 10' W Form: strong vertical E/D: deciduous	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Red to orange clusters Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: medium Allergenic: no Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: Chihuahuan Desert, Mojave Desert, Sonoran Desert Other Features: Striking silhouette. Attracts hummingbirds. Also try F. diguetti and F. macdougalii. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Giant Hesperaloe Botanical Name: Hesperaloe funifera		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 10°F Sun: full or reflected sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 5' H X 5' W Form: upright rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Greenish white on tall stalks Flower Season: late spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: butterflies
Native to: eastern Mexico, Mexico, northeastern Mexico Other Features: This unusual accent adds drama. Attracts butterflies. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Red Yucca Botanical Name: Hesperaloe parviflora		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 10°F Sun: full or reflected sun Water: very low Growth Rate: fast Mature Size: 3' H X 5' W Form: upright rosette E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: dark green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: Coral-red spikes Flower Season: spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: eastern Mexico, Mexico, northeastern Mexico, Texas, western Texas Other Features: Tolerates tough conditions. Attracts hummingbirds. Look for selections with yellow flowers. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Beargrass Botanical Name: Nolina microcarpa		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 0°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 3' H X 4' W Form: grassy clump E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Pale green to cream Flower Season: late spring to early summer Litter: low Thorns: none, sawtooth leaves Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S. Other Features: Softens hard elements. Good in containers. Also try N. bigelovii and N. matapensis. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Slipper Flower Botanical Name: Pedilanthus macrocarpus		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 25°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 3' H X 3' W Form: upright, open E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: light green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Red slipperlike Flower Season: late spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: yes, may irritate skin Wildlife: birds, hummingbirds
Native to: Baja California, Mexico, Sonora Mexico Other Features: Unique plant form. Good in containers. Attracts hummingbirds. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Elephant's Food Botanical Name: Portulacaria afra		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 25°F Sun: full sun, partial sun, shade Water: low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 3' H X 4' W Form: sprawling shrub E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: medium green Foliage Texture: medium Flower Color: Pink (rarely occurs) Flower Season: spring Litter: low Thorns: none Allergenic: no
Native to: Africa, South Africa Other Features: Adapted to many different conditions. Good in containers. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Banana Yucca Botanical Name: Yucca baccata		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 0°F Sun: full sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 3' H X 5' W Form: clumping E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: blue-green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: White clusters on tall stalks Flower Season: spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: small, sharp tips Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S. Other Features: Striking show of flowers. Effective security plant. Also try Y. aloifolia, Y. faxoniana, and Y. treculeana. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Soaptree Yucca Botanical Name: Yucca elata		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 0°F Sun: full sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 10' H X 4' W Form: treelike E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: pale green Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: White clusters on tall stalks Flower Season: late spring Litter: low Thorns: small, sharp tips Allergenic: no
Native to: Mexico, southwest U.S. Other Features: Leave dead leaves on trunk to avoid sunburn damage. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Paleleaf Yucca Botanical Name: Yucca pallida		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 0°F Sun: full sun, partial sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 2' H X 4' W Form: clumping E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: blue-gray Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: White clusters on tall stalks. Flower Season: late spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: small, sharp tips Allergenic: no
Native to: Texas Other Features: Good for small spaces and containers. Also try Y. recurvifolia and Y. rupicola. [More information about this plant.]

Common Name: Blue Yucca Botanical Name: Yucca rigida		[Plant Info Sheet]
Hardiness: 10°F Sun: full sun Water: very low Growth Rate: moderate Mature Size: 12' H X 5' W Form: treelike E/D: evergreen	Foliage Color: blue-gray Foliage Texture: coarse Flower Color: White clusters on tall stalks Flower Season: late spring to summer Litter: low Thorns: small, sharp tips Allergenic: no
Native to: Chihuahuan Desert Other Features: Striking bluish color makes it a great accent. Also try Y. rostrata. [More information about this plant.]

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