Full Sun

Rainwater Only

Mature Size: 8-20’X 10-15’
Blooming Season: May-July
Flower Color: Pale pink to rosy purple

A sturdy, heat-loving tree that’s native to warm deserts, especially in arroyos. Grows well in New Mexico’s lowlands, but may not be suited to elevations above 5,500 or where its cold hardiness is challenged. Compact and shrubby in appearance, its leaves are long and thin and its profusion of pink trumpet-shaped flowers puts on quite a show. Long, pencil-like pods give the tree year-round character. Fast growing as a young tree, its growth slows as it matures.

Full Sun

Rainwater Only

Mature Size: 15-30’X 10-25’
Blooming Season: May-June
Flower Color: Yellow

The various species of mesquite are trees synonymous with the desert Southwest. All are slow to leaf out in the spring, but they make up for their tardiness with fragrant yellow flowers. Small, blue-green leaflets give Velvet Mesquite a soft, lacy appearance. Flat, narrow bean pods hang from the tree throughout the summer. Its limited cold-hardiness makes it a good choice where average annual minimum temperatures stay above 5 degrees F; other mesquites found in the Plant List are about 5 degrees F more cold hardy.

Full Sun, Part Shade

Medium Water

Mature Size: 12-18’X 10-15’
Blooming Season: Early Spring
Flower Color: Yellow-Green

Depending upon your landscape needs and preferences, this native species can be pruned upward to form an attractive small tree or left in its natural, rounded shrub-like shape. The bark of its multiple trunks is a smooth pale gray, and its branches fork at odd, interesting angles. Clusters of small yellowish green flowers appear early in spring; female plants produce small fruits that attract song-birds. Tolerates drought, but does best when roots receive a deep soaking once or twice a month.

Full Sun

Low Water

Mature Size: 25’X 25’

A young Netleaf Hackberry passes through a rather ungainly adolescence, but with a little pruning, like a butterfly from a chrysalis, it emerges as a sculptural small shade tree that provides habitat for butterflies and songbirds as well as cooling our patios and decks on a very modest water budget. Deep roots allow its use close to walls and paving without risk.