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
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
Penstemon spp. Penstemon See remarks Little to moderate Full sun, Partial shade Yes No

Many natives - Perennial - Flame resistant - Over 250 species - Check nursery for size, hardiness and water requirements - If plants require regular water, then they are not recommended.
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
Asclepias linaria Pineleaf Milkweed 2' H 3' W Little Full sun Yes Yes

Shrub - Toxic, all parts of many Asclepias species are poisonous if ingested - Marginal - Needle-like leaves, 2" white-flower clusters bloom Mar - Dec.
Pinus cembroides, edulis, monophylla Pinyon Pine 10 - 25' H None to little Full sun Yes Yes

Tree - Flammable - Cones contain edible seeds - Slow growing
Scutellaria spp. Prairie Skullcap See remarks Little to moderate Full sun Yes Yes

Some Perennial - Neat mound of lavender-blue flowers in late spring - Check with nursery for size
Verbena bipinnatifida Prairie Verbena 8-16"H 18"W Little to moderate Full sun Yes No

Perennial or Groundcover - Some grown as Annuals -Flame resistant - Eight native verbenas in Cochise County - Fast-growing ground covers - Attractive in crevices and hanging baskets - V. bonariensis, V. gooddingii, V..x hortensis, V. peruviana
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
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
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
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
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
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

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