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 Namesort ascending Size Water Use Sun Exposure Native Plant? Evergreen? Remarks
Sophora secundiflora Texas Mountain Laurel 15-25'H 10-15'W Moderate Full sun No Yes

Tree or Shrub - Toxic, seeds are poisonous if ingested - Naturally Shrubby, but can be trained into a Tree
Opuntia bigelovii Teddybear Cholla 3-6' H 3' W Little Full sun No Yes

Cactus - Marginal - Beautiful, but treacherous
Cupressus forbesii Tecate Cypress 10-25'H 20'W Little to moderate Full sun No Yes

Tree - Flammable - Fast grower - Keep on dry side so it won't grow so fast that it will topple
Acacia smallii Sweet Acacia 10-35'H 15-25'W None to little Full sun No No

Deciduous Tree - Flammable - Marginal - Thorns
Calylophus spp. Sundrops 1.5 'H 2' W Little to moderate Full sun, Partial shade Yes No

Some Perennial - Flame resistant - Prune just before spring growth begins - Flowers in spring and from late summer to late fall (actually into winter)
Helianthemum nummularium Sun Rose 6" H 18" W Moderate Full sun, Partial shade No Yes

Groundcover - Several colors - Shear after flowering for light repeat blooming
Rhus spp. Sumac See remarks Little to moderate Full sun Yes Yes

Some Native - Evergreen or deciduous Tree or Shrub - Flame resistant - Check with nursery for size and hardiness
Eriogonum umbellatum Sulfur Flower 1.5' H 3' W Little to moderate Full sun No No

Perennial - Prune to shape when plants are young
Arbutus unedo Strawberry Tree 8 - 35' H & W Moderate Full sun, Partial shade No Yes

Tree or Shrub - Flame resistant - Non-edible fruits resemble strawberries in texture - Several varieties
Stachys spp. Stachys Sizes vary Moderate Full sun, Partial shade Yes No

Perennial - Coccinea native in Cochise County - Not fussy about soil type - Needs good drainage
Yucca elata Soaptree Yucca 6-20'H 8-10'W None Full sun Yes Yes

Succulent tree or shrub - Flame resistant - Slow grower - 2' flowers on 3' Annual spikes - Very common in grasslands
Gutierrezia sarothrae Snakeweed 18' H 2' W None to little Full sun Yes Yes

Shrub - Low-growing Shrub with July to Sept flowers can brighten a desert garden
Dalea pulchra Smoke Bush, Indigo Bush 8'H 5'W Little to moderate Full sun Yes Yes

Shrub - Spectacular spring bloom of purple flower clusters - Allow ample room to grow
Viguiera stenoloba Skeletonleaf Goldeneye 3' H & W None to little Full sun, Partial shade No Yes

Perennial - Differs in both culture & foliage from other desert plants - Can be utilized in medians, parking lot parking strips, and planter boxes
Quercus hypoleucoides Silverleaf Oak 40' H 35' W Little to moderate Full sun Yes Yes

Semi- Tree - Leaves silvery white and woolly underneath - Sheds leaves in spring

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