Be Inspired Blog - Arizona

Plants that Thrive with Little Water

If you are looking to create a landscape that's well suited to our local environment, here’s a list of plants that need little water to thrive, once established...  

Low-Water-Use Outdoor Plants

People think that in order to have a beautiful and enviable garden they need to have their sprinklers and water hoses running all day. However, you can enjoy a flourishing front and back yard with low-water-use plants. Check out these outdoor plants that require little water and maintenance once established. Remember, these plants need to become established and acclimated to your garden before they become drought tolerant.

Arizona Rosewood

• Uses: Arizona Rosewood (Vauquelinia californica) is often used as a screening or hedge plant due to its dense foliage.
• Growth Habit: Evergreen shrub or small tree that grows up to 10-15 feet tall.
• Color: Glossy green leaves.
• Fruit: Rarely produces fruit; small, woody capsules.
• Soil: Well-draining; adaptable to various soil types.
• Light: Full sun to partial shade.
• Water: Drought tolerant once established.
• Pruning: Prune to shape in the spring if necessary.
• Hardiness: USDA zones 7-11.
• Other: Low maintenance and good for xeriscaping.

Blue Bells

• Uses: Blue Bells (Eremophila hygrophana) is popular for its drought tolerance and vibrant flowers, it's excellent in rock gardens, as ground cover, or in xeriscape designs.
• Growth Habit: Low-growing, evergreen shrub that reaches about 2 feet in height and spreads 2 to 4 feet wide.
• Color: Attractive silvery-green foliage with striking blue to violet flowers.
• Fruit: Rarely produces significant fruit.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining, sandy soils; tolerant of poor soils.
• Light: Thrives in full sun, can tolerate some light shade.
• Water: Highly drought-tolerant; water infrequently once established, more frequently during the hottest months if needed.
• Pruning: Light pruning can be done to maintain shape and encourage denser growth.
• Hardiness: Suitable for USDA zones 9-11; very heat-tolerant, perfect for desert climates.
• Other: Blooms mainly in the spring but can have sporadic blooms throughout the growing season, especially with occasional watering.

Chuparosa

• Uses: Chuparosa (Justicia californica) is attractive to hummingbirds; used in native plant gardens.
• Growth Habit: Shrub growing up to 4 feet tall.
• Color: Green stems with red to orange tubular flowers.
• Fruit: Small, inconspicuous fruit.
• Soil: Well-draining.
• Light: Full sun to partial shade.
• Water: Low water needs; drought tolerant.
• Pruning: Prune to shape and maintain size.
• Hardiness: USDA zones 9-11.
• Other: Deciduous or semi-evergreen depending on water availability.

Green Feathery Senna

• Uses: Green Feathery Senna (Senna artemisioides) adds texture to desert gardens with its bright yellow flowers.
• Growth Habit: Fast-growing shrub up to 6 feet.
• Color: Feathery, green foliage.
• Fruit: Produces legume-like pods.
• Soil: Well-draining.
• Light: Full sun.
• Water: Drought tolerant; infrequent watering needed.
• Pruning: Occasional pruning to maintain shape.
• Hardiness: Hardy in desert climates.
• Other: Minimal care required beyond basic setup.

Mexian Bird of Paradise

• Uses: Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia mexicana) is used as a decorative tree or shrub for its lush foliage and yellow flowers.
• Growth Habit: Grows as a large shrub or small tree, up to 10 feet.
• Color: Green leaves with bright yellow flowers.
• Fruit: Produces leguminous pods.
• Soil: Well-draining.
• Light: Full sun.
• Water: Moderate watering needs.
• Pruning: Prune to shape and remove spent flowers.
• Hardiness: Thrives in warm climates.
• Other: Flowers from spring to fall, adding long-lasting color.

Red Bird of Paradise

• Uses: Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalipinia pulcherrima) is know for ornamental use for its showy, colorful flowers.
• Growth Habit: Shrub growing up to 6 feet.
• Color: Fern-like leaves with red, orange, and yellow flowers.
• Fruit: Pod-like fruits that may require cleanup.
• Soil: Prefers well-draining soil.
• Light: Full sun.
• Water: Drought tolerant but prefers regular watering during growth.
• Pruning: Prune back in late winter.
• Hardiness: Handles heat well.
• Other: Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Texas Mountain Laurel

• Uses: Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) is an ornamental tree/shrub with fragrant flowers and dense foliage.
• Growth Habit: Slow-growing, up to 15 feet tall.
• Color: Glossy, dark green leaves with deep purple flowers.
• Fruit: Produces decorative but toxic seeds.
• Soil: Well-draining, alkaline preferred.
• Light: Full sun to partial shade.
• Water: Drought tolerant once established.
• Pruning: Little to no pruning necessary.
• Hardiness: Very hardy in desert conditions.
• Other: Flowers emit a strong, sweet fragrance resembling grapes.

Turpentine Bush

• Uses: Turpentine Bush (Ericameria laricifolia) is ideal for rock gardens and natural desert landscapes.
• Growth Habit: Compact shrub, about 3 feet tall.
• Color: Needle-like leaves with bright yellow flowers.
• Fruit: Small, inconspicuous.
• Soil: Prefers poor, rocky soils.
• Light: Full sun.
• Water: Extremely drought-resistant.
• Pruning: Minimal pruning required.
• Hardiness: Very hardy in desert conditions.
• Other: Blooms in late summer to fall, providing late-season color.

Visit your local SummerWinds Nursery to explore a wide variety of plants that grow well in our desert environment. Our Trusted Garden Advisors are happy to answer any questions and help you find the perfect addition to your garden! Selection varies by season and location.

At SummerWinds, We Guarantee Success!