Clematis ligusticifolia: Virgin's Bower
An Oracle native woody vine that grows to 20' in length. Leaves are dark green and variable in shape. Separate male and female plants. Small white flowers bloom in spring. Females have feathery white plumes in fall. Very drought tolerant but does best near a rainwater wash or other water source. Deciduous perennial. Full sun to part shade.

Lonicera japonica 'Halliana': Hall's Honeysuckle
Oval dark green leaves. Fragrant white flowers, aging to light yellow, bloom late spring to fall. Black berries appear in fall attract birds. A rampant, even invasive, vine that can reach 30'. Train on a fence to make pruning easier. Prune twice during the summer to contain growth. Useful for ground cover and for erosion control; handles steep banks. Prune ground cover severely in winter to avoid leaf and stem buildup that can be a fire hazard. Evergreen with full winter sun; deciduous otherwise. Full sun to part shade.

Macfadyena unguis-cati: Cat's Claw Vine
Glossy green leaves. Yellow trumpet flowers 3-4" wide bloom early summer for short interval, producing slender long bean pods. A vigorous vine that grows more than 25' long. Stems root wherever soil is touched. Useful for erosion control on slopes. Withstands light foot traffic. Can be invasive once established, so border pruning is required. Three-pronged, clawed tendrils can dislodge shingles and remove stucco. Cutting propagated. Seed viability is poor; sow seeds immediately after harvesting. Cold deciduous; may stay evergreen on south-facing slopes or walls, its preferred location. Full sun; part shade reduces blooms. Hardy to 20°F.

Maurandya antirrhiniflora: Snapdragon Vine
An Oracle native vine growing to 8' long. Dark green, arrow-shaped leaves. Snapdragon-like, 1" long flowers, red to blue with white throats. Blooms April to October, attracting butterflies. A delicate beauty for close-up viewing on a fence or arbor. Often reseeds. Locate near area where water collects or runs by. Water every one to three weeks. Not long-term drought tolerant. Perennial deciduous herb. Full sun to part shade. Hardy to 15°F.

Aloysia wrightii: Mexican Oregano
Grows at a moderate rate to 5' high and as wide. Aromatic leaves can be used as substitute for oregano. Small, sweet-scented white flowers on spikelets bloom spring through fall. Water monthly. Deciduous. Full sun.

Buddleja marrubifolia: Woolly Butterfly Bush
A moderate grower to 5' high and as wide. Fuzzy silvery-gray leaves. Ball-shaped clusters of orange flowers about 1/2" across appear in summer and fall, attracting butterflies. Evergreen. Full sun. Hardy to 15°F.

Calliandra eriophylla: Fairy Duster
This Oracle native grows 0.5' to 3' high and 2' to 3' wide. Leaves are dark green, tiny, acacia-like. Pink powder-puff flowers vary from nearly red on first day of bloom to nearly white. Blooms in spring and sometimes after rain in summer and fall, followed by small pods. Pods spring open unpredictably when ripe, scattering small seeds which attract quail and other ground feeding birds. Deep water monthly or as required. Can be browsed by critters, especially when irrigated. Nitrogen-fixing roots. Does not transplant once deep tap root established. A good ground cover and soil-binding shrub. Cold and drought deciduous. Full sun to part shade; better with shade.

Chrysactinia mexicana: Damianita Daisy
Slowly grows to 2' high and as wide. Tiny, needlelike, aromatic, dark green leaves are deer and rabbit resistant. Fragrant yellow 1" daisies cover entire plant, blooming spring and fall. Dandelion-like seed does not store well, must be planted immediately. Needs soils with good drainage. Water monthly or more often to encourage bloom. Shear lightly in early spring to encourage new growth; cutting too low kills plant. Evergreen. Full sun, light shade, or reflected heat. Hardy to 0°F.

Dalea pulchra: Indigo Bush
Grows to 5' high and as wide. Small silver-green leaves. Purple flowers in clusters attract butterflies. Blooms late winter to early spring. Seeds attract birds. Prune lightly in late spring after flowering to encourage growth. Needs very well-drained soil; water no more than once a month. Evergreen (drought deciduous). Full sun produces best blooms. Hardy to 15°F.

Ericameria laricifolia: Turpentine Brush
An Oracle native that grows to 3' high and slightly wider. Tiny, narrow, dense, green or blue-green leaves give entire shrub a rounded brush appearance. Smell of crushed leaves varies with season and is not a reliable identifier of species. Yellow flowers, covering entire plant, bloom in October. Once established, it stays green with only monthly rain or water. If shrub becomes unattractive after several years, cut it to the ground and the plant will reappear, months later, looking well trimmed. Evergreen. Full sun; leggy and unattractive in shade.

Hesperaloe parviflora: Red Yucca
A succulent slowly growing to 3' high and 4' wide. Leaves are narrow, arching, tough and stiff, spreading to form a grass-like clump. Reddish tubular flowers, in late spring and summer, hang from narrow spikes on stalks up to 6' high. Evergreen. Full sun, light shade, or reflected sun.

Jasminum nudiflorum: Winter Jasmine
A fast growing shrub with green, arching, viny stems that stand out in winter. Grows to 4' high and 7' wide from a central crown as a mounded shrub. Can be tied on a trellis or wall to grow to 15' in length. Bright yellow flowers, unscented, appear in late winter or early spring before glossy green leaves emerge. Stems root where they touch soil, allowing it to cover a bank or slope. Prune immediately after flowering. Propagated by layering. May need water every two weeks in full sun. Deciduous. Full sun and southern exposure produces most flowers but increases water needs; accepts part shade.

Nandina domestica: Heavenly Bamboo
A bamboo-like plant growing to 5' tall and half as wide. Green foliage turns orange-red to bronzy-red in winter. Pinkish-white blossoms in late spring or early summer followed by sprays of red berries, attracting birds. Birds transfer seeds of this aggressive plant to the wild where it out-competes native plants. Some popular varieties, such as 'Harbor Dwarf' and 'Nana', have no flowers or berries. Spreads by rhizomes. Invasive in moist soil. Good erosion control. Evergreen; deciduous below 10°F. Full sun to part shade; foliage turns red in winter in full sun.

Phlomis fruticosa: Jerusalem Sage
Dense, compact shrub to 4' high and as wide. Leaves are woolly, gray green, aromatic when crushed. Deep yellow 1" flowers in ball-shaped whorls. Blooms spring to fall if faded blooms are deadheaded and extra water provided. Cut plants back by half in fall to keep them compact. Evergreen. Full sun; some varieties accept part shade.

Yucca baccata: Banana Yucca
An Oracle native that slowly grows to 3' tall. Sharp-pointed leaves 2' long. Flower stalk to 6' high. Yellow-white flowers, from red buds, to 5" long, bloom April to July. Edible fruit is green to purple in color, shaped like a large, long sweet potato. Evergreen. Full sun to part shade.

Amelanchier utahensis: Utah Serviceberry
A shrub or small tree that slowly grows 15' high and as wide. Ovate green leaves. Fragrant white flowers 0.5" wide bloom in spring. Edible purple or black fruits in clusters attract birds. Deciduous. In Oracle, provide western shade or locate on north-facing slope.

Arctostaphylos pungens: Pointleaf Manzanita
An Oracle native that grows 2' to 6' high. Taller than wide with water; wider than tall in dry soil. Green leathery leaves usually pointed at both tip and stem end. Red bark makes plant distinctive. White flowers, 1/4" wide, bloom January and February in Oracle, followed by edible, if not tasty, red-brown berries. Only 5% of seeds have viable embryos, possibly due to lack of pollinating insects in winter. Seeds germinate after drying for several years and then being exposed to rainwater seeped through charcoal created by a brush fire. The nitrogen dioxide in the charcoal triggers germination. Manzanita burns quickly and intensely so it must be situated at least 30' from any structure. Appears best when growing near an area where water collects or runs by. Evergreen. Full or part shade. Better appearance in part shade.

Atriplex canescens: Four-Wing Saltbush
Narrow gray leaves, dense growth. Grows 4' to 8' high and as wide. Moderate to rapid growth with irrigation. Entire plant is edible when not fertilized; leaves accumulate nitrates. Male and female flowers on separate plants. Male flowers are green, female flowers yellow. Blooms spring and summer. Seed attracts birds. A food plant for the Pigmy Blue butterfly. Plant is fire resistant and thrives in harsh desert conditions. Watering monthly improves performance. Wide and deep roots provide good erosion control on slopes and small gullies. Cut branches back by one-third in winter or shear into a hedge. Evergreen. Full sun.

Bauhinia lunarioides: Orchid Tree
Grows 6-12' high and as wide. Growth rate and height depend on water. Leaves are shaped like small green butterflies. Fragrant, white to pinkish flowers bloom in spring, followed by small bean pods. Attracts butterflies and pollinating insects. Needs well-drained soil and deep soaking monthly. In Oracle, should be placed near a south-facing wall and protected from winter winds. Deciduous. Full sun to part shade but bushier in full sun. Hardy to 15°F.

Buddleja alternifolia: Fountain Butterfly Bush
A weeping form shrub that rapidly grows to 12' high and as wide. Narrow leaves are green above and gray below. Weeping cascades of fragrant blue flowers appear on old wood in spring, lasting one month. Blooms in June in Oracle. Attracts butterflies. Prune after flowering. Can be formed into a tree to accentuate weeping habit. Deciduous. Full sun: sparsely leaved and fewer flowers with part shade.

Caesalpinia gilliesii: Yellow Bird of Paradise
Grows rapidly 5' to 10' high and slightly more than half as wide. Small green acacia-like leaflets. Yellow flowers with red stamens 3" long bloom April to September. Seed pods are poisonous. Roots are nitrogen-fixing; do not fertilize. Best in well-drained, poor soil. Deciduous. Needs full sun to avoid fungal infections during rainy season.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima: Mexican / Red Bird of Paradise
Grows rapidly 3' to 10' high and as wide. Small green acacia-like leaflets. Flowers with yellow, orange or red petals bloom in summer. Seed pods, roots and stems are poisonous. Sharp thorns. Roots are nitrogen-fixing; do not fertilize. Damaged at 32° F. Oracle winters usually kill plant to ground or destroy it. Locate next to south-facing wall away from low-lying areas and it will regrow from roots in late spring. Mulch heavily by mid-November. Cold deciduous. Full sun. Prefers well-drained soil.

Ceanothus greggii: Desert Ceanothus / Wild Lilac
This Oracle native grows to 8' high and 6' wide. New stems are pinkish, older stems turn light gray. No spine at tip of stem. Small thick leaves are glossy green above and felty gray underneath. Crowded clusters of small white to pinkish flowers bloom late winter and early spring. Flowers have fragrant lilac scent. Seed capsules open in summer, scattering seeds that attract quail and other ground-feeding birds. Watering more than once a month attracts foraging deer. Has nitrogen-fixing roots, do not fertilize. Evergreen. Full sun to part shade. Very hardy.

Fallugia paradoxa: Apache Plume
Grows to 6' high and 5' wide. Tiny green leaves. White flowers 2" wide with yellow centers bloom spring and summer. Feathery, pink seed head plumes in fall. Rabbit and deer resistant. Wide and deep roots make this plant useful in erosion control on banks and slopes.
Blooms April to October. Deciduous shrub. Full sun to part shade.

Forestiera neomexicana: New Mexican Privet
Fast growing shrub or, with pruning, small tree to 12' high and 9' wide. Medium-green leaves turn yellow in fall. Separate male and female plants. Showy, yellow flowers on male plant bloom in early spring before leaves appear. Female plant produces small, blue-black, quarter-inch fruit that attracts birds. Can be used as a hedge or screen. Deciduous. Full sun to part shade. Hardy to 0°F.

Leucophyllum frutescens: Texas Ranger
A slow grower to 8' high and as wide. Gray to green foliage. 'Green Cloud' variety more green and vigorous. Purple, pink or white flowers bloom sporadically spring through fall. Can be grown as a hedge, but shearing reduces flowers. Evergreen to deciduous depending upon winter temperature. Full sun; leggy and poor flowering in shade.

Mahonia haematocarpa: Red Berry Mahonia
A slow growing, but long-lived shrub 6-10' high and as wide. Green, holly-like, spiny leaves make this a good barrier plant to be kept far away from walkways. Fragrant yellow blossoms in late winter and spring. Abundant, edible, red berries in September attract birds. Needs well-drained soil. Evergreen. Full sun to part shade.

Mimosa dysocarpa: Velvetpod Mimosa
Slowly grows to 6' high and as wide as a sprawling, rangy shrub. Green, acacia-like leaves on stems with many large thorns. Keep away from walkways and/or trim back. Fragrant bottlebrush flowers, bright pink aging to white, bloom in summer. Velvet seed pods. Attracts butterflies and pollinating insects. Birds, especially quail, eat seeds. Needs well-drained soil. Deciduous. Full sun to part shade.

Myrtus communis: True Myrtle
Grows at a moderate rate to 5' to 7' high and 4' to 6' wide if pruned. Can become a tree 15' high and as wide when left untrimmed. Often used as a hedge. Dense, shiny, dark green leaves are aromatic when crushed. Fragrant white flowers 3/4" in diameter bloom spring and summer. Blue-black fruit. Flowers and fruits are edible; leaves are used as flavoring when cooking. Water monthly. Must have good drainage. Evergreen. Full sun to part shade. Hardy to 0°F or lower.

Nerium oleander: Oleander
A moderate to fast growing shrub with varieties ranging from 3-20' high and as wide. Narrow, dark-green leaves. White, yellow, pink, or red blossoms spring to fall. Flowers sometimes fragrant depending on variety. Can be used as a hedge. While this species is rated for USDA zones 8-10, the leaves may suffer frost and wind chill damage in Oracle zones 8b and 9a. 'Hardy White', 'Hardy Double Yellow' and 'Hardy Pink' varieties are said to survive in zone 7b. Oleander survives best against a west-facing wall, or in a full-sun, south-facing location, especially when protected from wind. Cut down on watering starting October 1 to harden the plant for the winter. This plant is very drought-tolerant once established and an over-watered plant is more prone to freeze damage. Avoid locating the plant in a low basin where freezing air will collect in the winter.
All parts are poisonous and should not be burned due to severely irritating, toxic smoke. Even dried or composted Oleander leaves are considered poisonous. Contact dermatitis has been reported by some sensitive individuals, so avoid placing near walkways. This plant should not be available to foraging domestic livestock. Evergreen. Full sun to part shade.

Rhamnus ilicifolia: Hollyleaf Redberry
An Oracle native shrub or small tree that slowly grows to 12' tall and nearly as wide depending on water. Dark green holly-like leaves with soft spines and red stems. No thorns. Tiny green flowers bloom in April and May followed by red berries in fall. Attracts birds. Evergreen. Full sun to part shade.

Rhus trilobata: Three-Leaf Sumac
This Oracle native is a slow grower to 6' high and 9' wide. Leaves, clustered as three leaflets, smooth or fuzzy, have an unpleasant smell when crushed. Plant is not grazed by wildlife. Leaves turn red in the fall. Tiny yellow flowers, often unnoticed, bloom in late winter before leaf-out. Edible, hairy, reddish berries can be used to make a lemonade-like drink. Attracts birds. This plant can exist on rainfall alone and needs no maintenance. Flexible stems can be used to make Christmas wreaths or baskets. If plant appears scraggly after four or five years, cut it to the ground and it will regrow into a neat, symmetrical shape. Deciduous. Full sun.

Rhus virens: Evergreen Sumac
A good-looking shrub with a moderate growth rate 3' to 12' tall and as wide depending on water. Dark, glossy green leaves. Small white flowers, slightly clustered, bloom late summer. Red berries in fall attract birds. Can be trimmed as a hedge. Evergreen. Full sun to open shade. Hardy to 15°F.

Rosmarinus officinalis: Rosemary
A culinary herb that, depending on variety, can grow 6' high and 8' wide. Lush, dark-green, aromatic, needle-like leaves. Small blue flowers bloom fall, winter and spring whenever it rains. Needs supplemental water during drought and hot summer months. Look for cold-hardy varieties. Large, upright varieties can be trimmed as a hedge. Low-growing varieties can be used as groundcover. Evergreen. Full sun or part shade.

Shepherdia argentea: Silver Buffalo Berry
Typically grows 6-10' tall, and nearly twice as wide. Grows taller under ideal conditions. Silver-green leaves. Separate male and female plants. Female plants produce tiny clustered yellow flowers in spring that attract butterflies. Showy, yellow to red berries, edible if cooked, are attractive to birds. Roots are nitrogen-fixing and will sucker in moist soil to produce a thicket. Do not fertilize. A tough plant that grows under a wide variety of conditions. Has thorns. Makes an impenetrable hedge. Deciduous. Full sun or light shade.