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 Use Sun Exposure Native Plant?sort descending Evergreen? Remarks
Digitaria californica Arizona Cottontop 2'H 1'W None to little Full sun Yes No

Warm season grass - Lovely silvery seedheads
Cupressus arizonica Arizona Cypress 40'H 20'W Little to moderate Full sun Yes Yes

Tree - Flammable - Can be used as a windbreak
Cissus trifoliata Arizona Grape Ivy 30'H 2'W Little to moderate Full sun Yes Yes

Vine in warmest locations - Toxic, contact with plant may cause a skin rash on sensitive people - Useful for covering chain link fences or trellises
Echinocereus pectinatus varieties Arizona or Texas Rainbow Hedgehog 1' H None Full sun, Partial shade Yes Yes

Some Cactus - Alternating reddish and pale yellow horizontal bands on stem
Vauquelinia californica Arizona Rosewood 20' H 15'W Little to moderate Full sun Yes Yes

Shrub - Good hedge plant - Slow grower at start - Similar to oleander, but not toxic
Juglans major Arizona Walnut 50' H & W Moderate Full sun Yes No

Deciduous Tree - Edible nuts have a rich flavor
Artemisia spp. Artemisia See remarks Little to moderate Full sun Yes Yes

Some shrubs or groundcovers - Check with nursery for hardiness and size
Artemisia spp. Artemisia spp. See remarks Little to moderate Full sun Yes Yes

Some Perennials & shrubs - Many species - Inquire at nursery for size, exposure and hardiness
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
Yucca baccata Banana Yucca 3' H 5' W None Full sun Yes Yes

Succulent, tree or shrub - Flame resistant - Fruits look like short green bananas - Keep pointed leaves away from walkways, patios,or play areas.
Nolina microcarpa Bear Grass 3'H 6'W None to little Full sun Yes No

Perennial, but looks like a tall grass - Strong vertical silhouette - Good for dry landscapes - Handle carefully as it may cut your hand
Sporobulos wrightii Big Sacaton 4-5'H & W Little to moderate Full sun Yes No

Warm season grass - Arching blue-green leaves form a clump 3-4' high and wide. Feathery golden yellow seedheads nearly double the plants height in late summer to early fall
Melampodium leucanthum Blackfoot Daisy 1' H & W Little to moderate Full sun Yes No

Perennial - If straggly, cut back in fall - Grows best in decomposed granite
Sambucus mexicana Blue Elderberry 10-30'H 8-20'W Moderate Full sun, Partial shade Yes Yes

Tree or Shrub - Drops its foliage during drought - Fruit is often used in jams, jellies, pies, and wine
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

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