Sierra Vista Area Plant List

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The Sierra Vista Area Plant List, with common name, botanical name, and other plant information
Botanical Namesort ascending Common Name Size Water Use Sun Exposure Native Plant? Evergreen? Remarks
Quercus chrysolepis Canyon Live Oak 20-60' H&W Little to moderate Full sun No Yes

Tree - Handsome round-headed or somewhat spreading Tree with smooth whitish bark
Quercus buckleyi Buckeye Oak 35' H & W Little to moderate Full sun No No

Deciduous Tree or Shrub - Marginal - Trunk branches almost from base
Pyracantha spp. Firethorn See remarks Little to moderate Full sun No Yes

Shrub - Flame resistant - Many species and hybrids - Check with nursery for sizes - Attracts cedar waxwings
Purshia mexicana Cliffrose 6' H & W Little to moderate Full sun Yes Yes

Shrub - Flammable - Fragrant creamy flowers
Psorothamnus scoparia Broom Dalea 3' H 4' W Little Full sun Yes No

Deciduous Shrub - Requires sandy soil - Once established, it needs very little water, in fact, it does not tolerate overwatering - Attractive erosion control
Psilostrophe spp. Paper Flower 18" H & W None to little Full sun Yes Yes

Perennial - Dried flowers can be used in arrangements
Prosopis velutina Velvet Mesquite 20' H 30' W Little Full sun Yes No

Deciduous Tree - Thorniness variable
Prosopis pubescens Screwbean Mesquite 30' H & W Little Full sun Yes No

Deciduous Tree or Shrub - Seed pods tightly coiled in a spiral curl - Highly prized in dried arrangements
Prosopis glandulosa Honey Mesquite 30' H & W Little Full sun No No

Deciduous Tree - Little pruning needed - Often multi-trunked - Thorniness variable - Cutting grown 'Maverick' is a superior thornless form
Prosopis alba or chilensis Argentine or Chilean Mesquite 20 - 40' H & W Little to moderate Full sun No Yes

Semi-evergreen or evergreen Tree in mild climates - Thornless forms available
Potentilla fruticosa Shrubby Cinquefoil 1-3'H 3-4'W Moderate Full sun, Partial shade No No

Deciduous Shrub - Many varieties with white, pink, red, or yellow flowers - Fairly trouble-free plants that do well in well-drained soil
Pistacia chinensis Chinese Pistache 30-60' H & W Little to moderate Full sun No No

Decidious Tree - Flame resistant - Reliable Tree for streetside planting, lawn, patio, or garden - Good fall color
Pinus pinea Italian Stone Pine 40-80'H 40-60'W Little to moderate Full sun No Yes

Tree - Flammable - Marginal - Eventually too large for small gardens - Edible seeds
Pinus mugo mugo Muhgo Pine 4-8' H 8-15' W Little Full sun No Yes

Shrub - Flammable - Group includes compact selections
Pinus eldarica Afghan Pine 30-80'H 15-25'W Little Full sun No Yes

Tree - Marginal - Not for our zone, although they seem to do well in our area - Avoid planting where oaks are present as they may be subject to Comadra blister rust - Flammable - One of best pines for much of the desert

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