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 descending Common Name Size Water Use Sun Exposure Native Plant? Evergreen? Remarks
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
Aurinia saxatilis/Alyssum Basket of Gold 8-12" H mound Moderate Full sun, Partial shade No Yes

Perennial - Many varieties - Shear lightly to one half right after bloom
Baccharis sarothroides Desert Broom 5' H & W Little to moderate Full sun Yes Yes

Shrub - Purchase male plants only, females produce messy cottony seed clusters - Extremely drought tolerant and can take poor soil
Baccharis `starn' Baccharis 'Starn' 3-4' H 4-5' W Little to moderate Full sun No Yes

Shrub - Tolerates desert heat & resists root rot - The male cultivar does not produce seed clusters
Bahia absinthifolia Bahia 1' H & W None Full sun Yes Yes

Perennial, can be used as a groundcover - Shallow caliche soil OK - Fast growth rate - New plants volunteer readily
Baileya multiradiata Desert Marigold 1.5' H & 1' W Little Full sun Yes Yes

Annual or Perennial - Flame resistant - Short-lived, but freely reseeds
Berberis haematocarpa Red Barberry 5' H & W Moderate Full sun, Partial shade Yes Yes

Shrub - Attractive foliage, pretty flowers, showy berries - Other barberrys not water wise
Berberis trifoliata Agarita 6' H & W Moderate Full sun No Yes

Shrub - Flame resistant - Hollylike leaves - Yellow fragrant flowers Feb. thru Apr.
Berlandiera lyrata Chocolate Flower 1.5 - 3' H & W Little Full sun Yes Yes

Perennial - Shear seedheads lightly to encourage more bloom - Dry for winter bouquets
Bothriochloa barbinodis Cane Beardgrass 3'H 1.5'W None to little Full sun, Partial shade No No

Warm season grass - Can be scattered throughout a desert landscape
Bouteloua curtipendula Side-oats Grama 1-2' H 2' W None to little Full sun Yes No

Warm season grass - Grows from seed or division - Use in borders or rock gardens
Bouteloua gracilis Blue Grama Grass 1.5' H 1' W Little Full sun Yes No

Warm season turf and pasture grass - If used as turf it is not low water use
Brahea armata Mexican Blue Palm 40'H 25'W Little Full sun No Yes

Tree - Takes heat & wind
Buddleja marrubiifolia Wooly Butterfly Bush 5' H & W Little to moderate Full sun No Yes

Shrub - Small, ball shaped, orange flower clusters in spring and summer - Wooly foliage - Prune after bloom
Caesalpinia gilliesii Yellow Bird of Paradise 5-10 'H 4' W None to little Full sun No No

Deciduous Tree or Shrub - Toxic, pods and seeds are poisonous if ingested - Yellow flowers with red stamens - Naturalized

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