Arizona Municipal Water Users Association


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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.

Why These Plants?

Our quality of life in the desert depends on water. It is critical to every aspect of our lives, and we must learn to conserve and extend this limited resource. Up to half of household water, in some cases as much as three-quarters, goes into our landscapes. By selecting low-water-use plants and watering them properly, home gardeners and landscape professionals have a unique opportunity to reduce the amount of water it takes to keep our landscapes attractive, healthy, and thriving.

Acknowledgments
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).

The plants on this website are listed in and comply with the Arizona Department of Water Resources "Drought Tolerant/Low Water Use Plant List" for the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA). (The Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) covers 5,646 square miles, consists of seven groundwater basins in central Arizona, and is in the low desert region of the Sonoran Desert.)

The folks at the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association ride to the rescue with a terrific new resource.

The folks at the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association ride to the rescue with a terrific new resource.

Plant Selection Tips
1. Use the charts on this Web site to check the mature plant size to ensure you are selecting the right plant for the right place.
2. Select and group plants with similar water needs to create a landscape that is easier to maintain and more water efficient.
3. If your local nurseries do not carry the plants you are looking for, ask if they can order them.
4. Check with your homeowner's association CC&Rs to determine if there are plant selection restrictions for your neighborhood.
5. Visit the plant selection page for help. You'll find information on new plant introductions, plants for specific uses (seasonal color, poolscaping, rabbit resistance), and examples of plant combinations.

The Seven Principles of Xeriscape
1. Good Landscape Planning & Design
2. Low-Water-Use Plants
3. Appropriate Turf (Lawn) Areas
4. Efficient Irrigation
5. Soil Improvements
6. Use of Mulches
7. Appropriate Maintenance

Understanding Plant Names
Genus: One or more species of plants that share many characteristics. They usually have similar flowers and fruit. Genus is the first part of a plant's botanical name and is designated with an initial capital.

Species: Plants that have different characteristics from other plants within the same genus. It is usually the second part of a plant's botanical name, and the first letter is in lower case.

Common Name: A name that has no botanical standing. Common names are easier to spell and pronounce, but many plants have more than one common name or share the same common name, which can cause confusion about a plant's identity.

Variety: A variation of a plant species that occurs naturally in the wild. Designated with the abbreviation v. or var. preceding the name. Dodonaea viscosa v. pupurea is a naturally occurring variation of Dodonaea viscosa with purplish leaves.

Cultivar: A plant that is cultivated, or developed and grown by nurseries (as opposed to occurring naturally in the wild) for its desirable characteristics. Cultivar is a combination of the words "cultivated variety." Cultivar names are enclosed by single quotes. Also see TRADEMARKED PLANTS.

Trademarked Plants (TM): Plant selections developed by nurseries for certain desirable characteristics. On plant labels and in written materials, typically enclosed by single quotes and designated by TM next to the plant's name.

The information in this booklet is true and accurate to the best of our knowledge. It is offered with no guarantees on the part of AMWUA. AMWUA disclaims all liability in connection with the use of this booklet.

Partial funding for this project was provided by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

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.