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 Name Common Name Size Water Usesort descending Sun Exposure Native Plant? Evergreen? Remarks
Cercocarpus spp. Mountain Mahogany See remarks None to little Full sun Yes Yes

Some or deciduous Tree or Shrub - Check with nursery for sizes - Distinguished in fall by long-lasting small fruit
Yucca schottii Mountain Yucca 6-15' H 3-4'W None to little Full sun, Partial shade Yes Yes

Succulent - Clusters of white flowers from spring to midsummer
Fouquieria splendens Ocotillo 8-15'H 5-10'W None to little Full sun Yes No

Deciduous Shrub - Attractive long red flower clusters resemble candles - Does not regularly have leaves
Agave palmeri Palmer's Agave 3-4' H & W None to little Full sun, Partial shade Yes Yes

Succulent - The most common agave found in the grasslands in this area
Psilostrophe spp. Paper Flower 18" H & W None to little Full sun Yes Yes

Perennial - Dried flowers can be used in arrangements
Agave parryi Parry's Agave 2-3' W None to little Full sun, Partial shade Yes Yes

Succulent - 2 - 3' rosettes - Several varieties available
Mammillaria spp. Pincushions 2 - 6" H None to little Partial shade Yes Yes

Some Cactus - Many species - Globe or cylindrical shape - Keep dry in winter to induce bloom - Many species
Pinus cembroides, edulis, monophylla Pinyon Pine 10 - 25' H None to little Full sun Yes Yes

Tree - Flammable - Cones contain edible seeds - Slow growing
Yucca glauca Plain Soapweed 3-4' H & W None to little Full sun No Yes

Succulent - In the summer green-white flowers are borne on narrow spikes 4' above foliage
Zinnia grandiflora Prairie Zinnia 4"H 15"W None to little Full sun Yes No

Annual or Semi-Annual in our zone - Late summer bloomer - Can be difficult to grow
Aristida purpurea Purple Three-Awn 12 - 24"H 1' W None to little Full sun Yes No

Warm and cool season grass - Purple-tinted stems and flowers
Atriplex lentiformis Quail Bush 3-10'H 6-12'W None to little Full sun No No

Deciduous Shrub - Flame resistant - Cut back by one third before spring growth - Useful as a salt-tolerant informal hedge or windbreak
Chrysothamnus nauseosus Rabbitbrush 6' H 3' W None to little Full sun Yes Yes

Shrub - Flame resistant - Leaves and stems aromatic - Good for natural plantings - C. viscidiflorus also available - Important: must have good drainage
Caesalpinia pulcherrima Red Bird of Paradise 2-4' H & W None to little Full sun No No

Deciduous Shrub - Marginal - Dies to ground in winter - Prune before spring growth - Red flowers
Agave scabra Rough-leaved Agave 4' H & W None to little Full sun No Yes

Succulent - Wide gray-green leaves rough on the back

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