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
Nerium oleander Oleander 3-20'H 4-12'W Little to moderate Full sun No No

Evergree Shrub - Flame resistant - Toxic, all parts poisonous if ingested. Don't burn prunings, smoke can cause severe irritation - Routine pruning not necessary
Nolina matapensis Tree Bear Grass 10-25'H 10'W Little Full sun No No

Perennial - Lush looking species - Allow ample space for growth
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
Oenothera spp. Evening Primrose See remarks Little to moderate Full sun, Partial shade Yes No

Perennial - Flame resistant - Open during day - Stems die back in winter All except Oenothera elata hookeri OK for our area - Sizes variable, check with nursery
Olea europaea Olive 'Swan Hill' 25-30' H&W Little to moderate Full sun No Yes

Tree - Marginal - This is a sterile variety - Non-sterile varieties stain pavement and lawns and are allergenic
Opuntia basilaris Beavertail Cactus 1' H 4' W None Full sun No Yes

Cactus - Purplish pads - Very common in Arizona landscapes
Opuntia bigelovii Teddybear Cholla 3-6' H 3' W Little Full sun No Yes

Cactus - Marginal - Beautiful, but treacherous
Opuntia echinocarpa Silver Cholla 3' H & W None Full sun No Yes

Cactus - Spines not sharply barbed
Opuntia ellisiana Tiger Tongue 4'H 6'W None Full sun No Yes

Cactus - Spineless small pads - Tidy prickly pear
Opuntia englemannii Engleman's Prickly Pear 4' H 10' W None Full sun Yes Yes

Cactus - Most common prickly pear in Arizona
Opuntia imbricata Tree Cholla 6- 8 'H 10'W None Full sun No Yes

Cactus - Deep pink flowers followed by green fruit - Shrubby when young, then treelike
Opuntia leptocaulis Desert Christmas Cactus 2 - 3' H & W None Full sun No Yes

Cactus - Thin stems with bright red fruit
Opuntia macrocentra Purple Prickly Pear 4'H 6'W None Full sun Yes Yes

Cactus - Spines are half white and half dark - 'Tubac' is said to hold purple color throughtout year
Opuntia santa-rita Santa Rita Prickly Pear 4'H 6'W None Full sun Yes Yes

Cactus - The purple coloration of this prickly pear becomes more pronounced with drought or cold weather
Opuntia spinosior Cane Cholla 8' H 4' W Little Full sun Yes Yes

Cactus - Favored nesting plant by Cactus wrens and thrashers - Magenta flowers, yellow fruit

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