Shrubs
Horticulture Unlimited can help you determine the best shrubs for your home or business. We offer shrubs of numerous varieties all designed to survive and thrive in the warm Tucson weather. We can help you select the perfect shrub for decorative purposes or for enhancing your home’s privacy.
*Our plant guide provides informational resources regarding plants that we commonly use. We obtain necessary materials for installation purposes only, and recommend consulting a nursery or supplier for direct purchasing needs.
HORTICULTURE UNLIMITED IS NOT A NURSERY OR SUPPLIER.
**The scientific names of plants may periodically change. While we attempt to update our Plant Guide to reflect this, there may still be multiple names found for these plants in other directories.
Asclepias linaria
Threadleaf MilkweedThis erect, shrubby perennial grows three feet tall and wide with needle-like, grayish-green foliage that is covered in fine hairs…
It is very easy to grow and maintain and does very well in our hot, dry climates. Use this shrub…
Acanthus Mollis
Bear’s BreechThe lush, herbaceous evergreen grows six feet tall and three feet wide with deep green, deeply lobed, shiny leaves, a…
The foliage can be damaged at twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit, so plant it in a protected location in rich, moist, acidic…
Asparagus densiflorus
Foxtail FernThis low-growing evergreen has feathery, upright, bright green, needle-like stems and trailing branches. It is not a true fern but…
The foxtail fern takes full sun to partial shade, but grows more densely in full sun. This plant likes well-draining…
Buddleia marrubiifolia
Woolly Butterfly BushKnown for its ability to attract butterflies, the Woolly Butterfly Bush(Buddleia marrubiifolia) grows well in southern and central Arizona. Native…
Plant woolly butterfly bush in full sun locations and in soil with good drainage. It does not grow well in…
Caesalpinia gilliesii
Yellow Bird of ParadiseYellow bird of paradise is an upright, fast growing shrub originating from Argentina and Uruguay. Clusters of bright yellow flowers…
Plant Yellow Bird of Paradise in full or partial sun locations. This shrub tolerates any well-drained soil including rocky, native…
Caesalpinia mexicana
Mexican Bird of ParadiseMexican Bird of Paradise is native to Northern Mexico. Its lush, ferny compound leaves provide a dark green backdrop for…
Plant Mexican bird of paradise in the fall in full sunlight exposures for best establishment. This large shrub is evergreen…
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Red Bird of ParadiseThe Red Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) has long been a favorite summer blooming plant in Tucson, Arizona. It celebrates…
Red Bird of Paradise grows best in full sun locations and in soil that drains well. It does not do…
Calliandra californica
Baja Fairy DusterBaja Fairy Duster is a medium sized shrub that grows to 5 feet high and 5 feet wide. Medium green…
Baja Fairy Duster should be planted in full sun. It also handles partial sun and reflected heat extremely well. It…
Cassia nemophila (Senna artemisioides filifolia)
Green Feathery CassiaGreen Feathery cassia is an evergreen shrub that grows four to six feet tall and wide. The shape is rounded…
While extremely drought-tolerant, Green Feathery Cassia does best with minimal summer irrigation. Should be planted in full to reflected sunlight…
Dodonaea viscosa
Hop BushHop Bush (also known as Hopseed Bush) is a drought-tolerant shrub with an upright, branching form. It reaches a height…
Plant hop bush in the spring or fall in full sunlight. This shrub does best in soil with good drainage…
Duranta erecta
Sky FlowerSky flower is a showy evergreen that grows eighteen feet tall and wide, if it doesn’t freeze back. It is…
It grows best in full sun or partial shade and does not like reflected heat. Sky flower prefers frequent irrigation…
Eremophila maculata
Emu BushEmu Bush (Eremophila maculata) is a medium-sized shrub with small, round green leaves and a dense, symmetrical growth habit. Native…
Emu Bush grows in almost any well-draining soil but does poorly and is short-lived in heavy clay soils that are…
Hamelia patens
Firecracker BushThe multi-trunk evergreen matures quickly up to six feet tall and wide with bright green foliage that has a pointed…
The firecracker bush defoliates when temperatures drop in the high twenties to low thirties, however the roots of this colorful…
Justicia californica
ChuparosaNative to the Sonoran Desert, “chuparosa” is a shrub that normally grows to about 3 feet tall and 4 feet…
Plant chuparosa in the fall or spring in fast-draining soil. This shrub is drought tolerant and can grow on 10…
Justicia spicigera
Mexican HoneysuckleMexican Honeysuckle is a small shrub that isn’t fussy, blooms most of the year, and is attractive to hummingbirds. With…
Mexican Honeysuckle prefers light shade to full sun exposure. It is fairly drought tolerant, but looks better and grows larger…
Lantana camara
Bush LantanaThe lantana is a prolific bloomer growing two to four feet tall and wide with sprawling branches that produce dramatic…
The bush lantana likes full sun with plenty of reflected heat. It needs well-draining soils to look good and will…
Leucophyllum candidum
Thunder Cloud SageThis stunning, irregular-shaped shrub grows five feet high and four to five feet wide with small, hairy, silvery white foliage…
The fast-growing plant is extremely hardy to about fifteen degrees Fahrenheit. It is also drought-resistant and does not like to…
Leucophyllum frutescens
Texas SageIts durability, easy care, and beautiful blooms have made Texas sage one of the most popular shrubs in Southern Arizona…
Plant Texas sage in full sun and reflected heat locations in the fall or spring. This shrub loves the heat…
Leucophyllum frutescens 'Green Cloud'
Green CloudGreen Cloud™ is a trademarked variety of Leucophyllum frutescenswith larger leaves and darker flower color than its close relatives. It…
Be sure to plant Green Cloud in ample sunlight and well-drained soil. The growth rate will vary depending on the…
Myrtus communis
Twisted MyrtleThis twisted, irregular evergreen grows to heights of nine to twelve feet with dark green, glossy leaves that have a…
This plant likes full sun to partial shade. It prefers regular irrigation, but will take some drought conditions. If it…
Phlomis fruticosa
Jerusalem SageJerusalem sage is a fast-growing, warm-season plant that reaches three to four feet tall with an equal spread. The semi-woody…
This plant likes full sun to light shade and becomes leggy if planted in deep shade. It prefers adequate irrigation…
Plumbago auriculata
PlumbagoThe evergreen is admired for its brilliant sky blue flowers with a loose, sprawling growth habit and grows four to…
It needs full sun, reflected heat, and well-draining soil with ample water for optimum growth. The plumbago also requires pruning…
Punica granatum
PomegranatePomegranate is a fast-growing, deciduous plant noted for its berrylike fruit that grows six to fifteen feet tall with a…
This plant likes hot, dry climates with long summers and cool winters. It also prefers sandy, acidic, or alkaline soils…
Rosmarinus officinalis
RosemaryRosemary is a hardy evergreen with needle-like, deep green, fragrant foliage that grows three to five feet high and three…
Rosemary likes well-draining soil with full sun and reflected heat. It is extremely drought-resistant, but likes additional irrigation during the…
Russelia equisetiformis
Coral FountainThe coral fountain is a flowering perennial plant with long, slender, arching, fountain-like branches that form a dense mound to…
It is a moderate to fast grower and likes plenty of supplemental irrigation, and can take some drought during the…
Salvia clevelandii
Chaparral SageNative to California, the chaparral sage performs extremely well in both low and middle deserts of Arizona. Chaparral sage grows…
In very hot climates, plant chaparral sage in situations where it will have some relief from the intense Arizona sun…
Salvia greggii
Autumn SageAutumn Sage is native to Western Texas and parts of New Mexico and Southern Arizona. It is a small, evergreen…
Autumn Sage grows best when placed in full sun in the mid-elevation zones of Arizona including Tucson. Place it in…
Salvia leucantha
Mexican Bush SageThe colorful herbaceous plant grows in a mounded shape to four feet tall and wide with willowy, slender, arching stems…
It likes full sun to produce its magnificent color, but tolerates light shade. Provide supplemental irrigation throughout the growing season…
Tagetes lemmonii
Mount Lemmon MarigoldMount Lemmon Marigold is native to Southern Arizona. It makes a great desert xeriscape perennial shrub. Mount Lemmon Marigold was…
Mount Lemmon Marigold tolerates native rocky soil, but grows larger and blooms more in well-drained, fertile soil. Plant in fall…
Tecoma Hybrid 'Orange Jubilee'
Orange JubileeOrange Jubilee is an upright shrub that can grow up to 12 feet tall and 8 feet across if not…
Orange Jubilee is moderately drought tolerant, surviving on minimal supplemental water during the summer. However, this plant will look more…
Tecoma stans
Yellow BellThe lush, broadleaf evergreen grows quickly to four to five feet with a three to four-foot spread, but gets much…
It is hardy to about twenty degrees Fahrenheit. If frost-damaged, prune it back frozen growth in early spring. The yellow…