Photinia x fraseri
Redtip Photinia
Redtip Photinia makes an excellent screen or background planting. New growth in early spring is bright coppery red, which gradually turns medium green. Canopy coverage: 20 square feet.
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Pinus mugo 'Slowmound'
Slowmound Mugo Pine
Mugo Pine is a highly variable species. Best to select known cultivars such as 'Slowmound' to get the size and shape you want. Avoid the temptation to prune or shape plants; allow the natural mounding form to shine through. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Pinus mugo mugus
Mugo Pine
Mugo Pine is a highly variable species. Select from among the dozens of named varieties and cultivars. Popular selections include 'Mops', 'Big Tuna' and 'Tannenbaum'. Avoid the temptation to prune or shape plants and allow the natural mounding form to shine through. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Platycladus orientalis 'Aureus'
Golden Arborvitae
Golden Arborvitae is an evergreen shrub often seen in older gardens. Plants can become quite large. Dwarf selections to 3 feet high are available. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Platycladus orientalis
Oriental Arborvitae
This is a popular evergreen grown as a tree or shrub. The Oriental Arborvitae species produces an open, pyramidal habit. Soft, scalelike leaves present in flat, fanlike sections. 'Aurea Nana' features yellow-gold foliage, growing as a globe-shaped shrub to 5 feet high or more. Accepts sandy to heavy clay soils, as long as it is well drained. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Poliomintha maderensis
Lavender Spice
Leaves offer seasoning taste and fragrance of oregano. Flowers change colors with time, going from lavender, to purple to white. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Prosopis pubescens
Screwbean Mesquite
Screwbean Mesquite can be grown as a shrub or trained into a small tree. Thorny—prune with caution. Very low water use but improved appearance with additional water. Canopy coverage: 707 square feet.
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Prunus pumila var. besseyi
Western Sandcherry
Western Sandcherry is a background plant with an open form. Leaves are a glossy green then turn orange-red in fall. Sweet, cherrylike berries in fall can be made into a tasty preserve, and are also loved by birds. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Psorothamnus spinosus
Desert Smoke Tree
The natural habitat of Desert Smoke Tree is along desert washes. Accepts low water, but occasional deep irrigations will improve plant appearance. May be hard to find plants but worth the search. Canopy coverage: 177 square feet.
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Punica granatum
Pomegranate
Pomegranate can be grown as a shrub or small tree. Edible fruit is a primary attraction. If fruit is the goal provide more water during summer. Canopy coverage: 113 square feet.
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Punica granatum 'Nana'
Dwarf Pomegranate
Nana' is a dwarf selection ideal for small spaces, growing to 3 feet high and as wide. Unlike the species, the fruit is not edible. Bright red to orange flowers add color in spring. Canopy coverage: 7 square feet.
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Purshia mexicana
Mexican Cliffrose
Mexican Cliffrose makes a nice evergreen background for smaller flowering plants. Roselike flowers are fragrant. Plumed seedheads add interest in summer. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Pyracantha angustifolia
Narrowleaf Firethorn
A large shrub with thorny branches, Narrowleaf Firethorn works well as a screen or barrier plant. White flowers in late spring are followed by clusters of orange berries. They remain on the plant into winter. 'Yukon Belle' is a superior selection. Canopy coverage: 50 square feet.
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Pyracantha crenatoserrata
Pyracantha
Pyracantha is a triple-threat shrub, with attractive evergreen leaves, clusters of white spring flowers, and long-lasting orange-red berries in fall and winter. Be aware of its large thorns, which can serve nicely as a security barrier; avoid locating near traffic areas. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Pyracantha koidzumii
Formosa Pyracantha
Its casual growth habit requires some pruning to keep within bounds. Red berries are profuse in fall and are loved by birds. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Quercus ilex
Holly Oak
Holly Oak can be grown as a tree or shrub, and actually makes a nice screen or hedge when planted close together. Canopy coverage: 1,963 square feet.
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Quercus turbinella
Desert Scrub Oak
Can be grown as a tree form, but more often serves as a shrub in tough conditions. Sharp-tipped leaves are evergreen but drop in spring as new leaves replace them. Canopy coverage: 28 square feet.
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Rhus lanceolata
Flame-leaf Sumac
This plant can be grown as tree or shrub. The common name Flame-leaf Sumac is due to the shiny green leaves that turn brilliant orange to red in the fall. Canopy coverage: 314 square feet.
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Rhus ovata
Sugar Bush
The dense, rounded form of Sugar Bush is excellent as a screen or hedge. Flowers emerge as red buds then become flowers that bloom in cream-colored clusters. Canopy coverage: 79 square feet.
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Rhus trilobata
Squaw Bush
Squaw Bush is a good choice for a low-maintenance, naturalistic shrub. Yellow to red fall color is an attraction, as are the bright red berries. Canopy coverage: 113 square feet.
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Rhus virens
Evergreen Sumac
Evergreen Sumac is accepting of shade, ideal for beneath canopy trees. Small, berrylike fruit follow spring flowers. Canopy coverage: 64 square feet.
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