Choosing the right plants and trees for your Arizona landscape is the single biggest factor in whether your yard thrives or struggles. The desert Southwest has a unique set of conditions \xe2\x80\x94 extreme heat, low humidity, alkaline soils, and periodic freezes \xe2\x80\x94 that demand thoughtful plant selection.
The good news: Arizona's native and adapted plant palette is genuinely stunning. The plants that grow best here also happen to be some of the most architecturally interesting and visually dramatic in the world.
Top Shade Trees for Arizona
Citrus and fruit trees
Citrus trees are actually evergreen shrubs, that retain the majority of their leaves year-round. Some Flowering!
Schrubs
When carefully placed, flowering shrubs can bring color and beauty to your Arizona landscape.
Vines
Vines are perfect for climbing up vertical surfaces such as walls, fences and other features. We can help find the best vine to grow on your surface.
Ground covers
Ground covers are excellent for low ground color and fill greenery. Perfect fill between landscape features!
Fast growing trees
If you are looking for big trees grown faster, these fast growing trees will do the job!
Flowering trees
Arizona has a large selection of reliable flowering trees that bloom during the warm seasons of the year.
Cacti
Evergreen trees
Arizona has a few varieties of evergreen trees that don’t lose leaves in the winter time! Great Shade Trees!
Dessert trees
Palm trees
Palm Trees are beautiful and magical in landscape design. Palm tree grow fast, tall and lush!
Palo Verde (Parkinsonia)
Arizona's state tree. Brilliant yellow blooms in spring, bright green bark year-round. Extremely drought-tolerant once established and provides dappled shade without blocking views.
Mesquite (Prosopis)
One of the toughest and most characterful trees in the Sonoran Desert. Honey mesquite provides deep shade and has beautiful gnarled branching structure.
Desert Willow (Chilopsis)
Stunning trumpet-shaped flowers in pink, white, or burgundy from spring through fall. Fast-growing and extremely heat and drought tolerant.
Sissoo Tree (Dalbergia sissoo)
A fast-growing evergreen that provides dense, deep shade \xe2\x80\x94 perfect for blocking the afternoon west sun. One of the most popular shade trees in the Gilbert area.
Not sure which plants are right for your yard and sun exposure? Let's talk.
Get a Free Design ConsultBest Desert Shrubs & Accent Plants
Agave
Architectural, dramatic, virtually indestructible. Agave comes in dozens of species from small accent plants to massive statement pieces. Zero supplemental water once established.
Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa)
Prolific yellow blooms late winter through spring. Provides a massive burst of color when most other plants are dormant. Excellent for slopes and dry hillsides.
Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
Tall coral-red flower spikes attract hummingbirds from spring through fall. Provides dramatic vertical interest and thrives in full sun with minimal water.
Desert Marigold (Baileya)
Cheerful yellow blooms almost year-round in the low desert. Reseeds prolifically and creates a naturalized wildflower effect in open areas.
Lantana
Colorful, sprawling ground cover that blooms constantly in the heat. Available in orange, yellow, pink, and purple. One of the best heat-tolerant flowering plants for Arizona.
Fall (October \xe2\x80\x93 November) is the best time to plant most Arizona trees and shrubs. Cooler temperatures and warm soil allow roots to establish before summer heat arrives. Spring-planted trees spend their energy fighting heat before they're established.
The plants that grow best in Arizona are also some of the most visually stunning in the world. Stop trying to grow what doesn't belong here.
Nick Rawlings \xe2\x80\x94 Scape Tech Landscapes
