High Desert Plants

These plants are native to, or suitable for, high desert and desert regions such as Palmdale/Lancaster, Mojave and Joshua Tree. They can tolerate extreme heat, drought, and cold. These plants are also suitable for the Los Angeles region.

* indicates plant needs supplemental water

Trees

Acacia greggii (Catclaw Acacia), 10-15’H x 10-15’W, attractive barrier plant

Betula occidentalis (Western Waterbirch)*, 15’H x 10’W, weeping habit and copper bark

Calocedrus decurrens (Incense Cedar), 70-90’H x 20’W, large, aromatic tree

Cercidium floridum, Cercidium microphyllum (Palo Verde), 20-30’H x 20’W, colorful desert tree

Cercis occidentalis (Western Redbud)*, 15’H x 10’W, small multi-trunked tree for partial shade

Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow), 20’H x 15’W, summer blooming desert tree

Cupressus arizonica ssp. nevadensis (Arizona Cypress), C. forbesii (Tecate Cypress)

Juglans californica var. californica (Black Walnut), 20’H x 5-10’W, deciduous drought-tolerant tree

Juniperus californica (California Juniper), 5-25’H x 3-10’W, highly variable form, slow growing, good for bonsai

Pinus coulteri, Pinus jeffreyi, Pinus monophylla, Pinus ponderosa (Pine species)

Populus fremontii (Cottonwood)*, 60’H x 20’W, beautiful fall color, needs regular water

Prosopis pubescens (Screwbean Mesquite), 10-25’H x 20’W, attractive desert tree

Quercus engelmannii, Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus kelloggii, Quercus douglasii (Oak species)

Umbellularia californica* (CA Bay Laurel), 75’H x 60’W, beautiful aromatic tree!

Shrubs

Adenostoma fasciculatum (Chamise), 2-10’H x 10’W, chaparral native, evergreen

Amelanchier alnifolia (Western Serviceberry), 2-15’H x 8’W, deciduous shrub with fall color

Arctostaphylos glauca (Bigberry Manzanita), 12’ H x 12’ W, gorgeous red-brown bark!

Artemisia tridentata (Great Basin Sagebrush), 4’H X 4’W, fragrant desert native with attractive grey foliage

Atriplex spp (Saltbush), all species are suitable for deserts. Good for wild birds.

Calliandra californica, Calliandra eriophylla (Fairyduster), 3-5’H x 3-5’W, colorful red or pink blossoms year round

Ceanothus greggii (Mojave Ceanothus), 4-6’H x 4-6’W, beautiful white flowers in spring

Cercocarpus ledifolius (Mtn Mahogany), 30’H x 15’W, interesting plumed seeds in summer

Chrysothamnus nauseosus (Rubber Rabbitbrush), 2-4’H x 3’W, desert native, great for butterflies!

Dendromecon rigida (Tree Poppy), 8’H x 6’W, blue green leaves and yellow flowers in spring

Encelia actoni (Acton Encelia), 2’H x 3’W, yellow daisy-like flowers attract pollinators

Encelia farinosa (Brittlebush), 3’H x 4’W, white foliage contrasts with darker shrubs

Eriodictyon trichocalyx (Yerba Santa), 4’H x 4’W, important Native American medicinal plant

Eriogonum umbellatum var. umbellatum (Sulfur Buckwheat), 1’H x 3’W, beautiful yellow flowers in summer

Eriogonum wrightii (Wright’s Buckwheat), 1’H x 1-2’W, white-flowering in summer

Fallugia paradoxa (Apache Plume), 3-4’ H x 3-4’ W, unusual shrub with showy plumes

Forestiera pubescens (Desert Olive), 9’H x 5-8’W

Fremontodendron californica ssp. californica (Flannel Bush), 6-15’H x 6-8’W, stunning in bloom!

Garrya veatchii (Canyon Silktassel), 8’H x 6-8’W, good for screen or hedge

Heteromeles arbutifolia (Toyon), 8-15’H x 10-15’W, red berries in winter!

Hyptis emoryi (Desert Lavender), 4-6’H x 5’W, aromatic leaves and lavender flowers

Isomeris arborea (Bladderpod), 3-4’H x 3-4’W, peppery aroma and striking yellow flowers

Justicia californica (Chuparosa), 6’H x 6’W, red flowers attract hummingbirds

Larrea tridentata (Creosote Bush), 10’H x 10’W, oldest living organism!

Nolina bigelovii (Beargrass), 6’H x 6’W, yucca-like leaves, desert native

Opuntia prolifera, Opuntia parryi (Cholla), sizes vary, cactus native to CA deserts

Prunus andersonii (Desert Peach), Prunus fremontii (Desert Apricot), Prunus ilicifolia var. ilicifolia (Holly-leaf Cherry)

Purshia tridentata (Antelope Bitterbush), 6-15’ X 3-5’W

Rhamnus californica (Coffeeberry), R. crocea (Redberry)

Rhus trilobata (Skunkbrush), 3-5’H x 4’W, red and orange leaves in fall

Ribes aureum var. aureum (Golden Currant), 6’H x 2-3’W, beautiful yellow flowers and edible currants

Salvia apiana, Salvia dorrii, Salvia mellifera, Salvia pachyphylla, Salvia mohavensis, variable sizes, all fragrant!

Sphaeralcea ambigua (Apricot Mallow), 3’H x 3’W, attractive orange flowers in spring

Stanleya pinnata (Prince’s Plume), 2-5’H x 2’W

Thalictrum fendleri (Meadow Rue), 4’H x 2’W, good for dry shade

Trichostema lanatum (Wooly Blue Curls), 3-4’H x 3-4’W, beautiful and aromatic; no summer water

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua Tree), Yucca schidigera (Mojave Yucca), Yucca whipplei ssp. whipplei (Chaparral Yucca)

Grasses, small perennials and annuals

Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)*, 18”H x 2-3’W, groundcover for partial sun

Aquilegia formosa (Western Columbine)*, 2-3’H x 1-2’W, showy flowers, good for partial shade

Asclepias californica, Asclepias eriocarpa (Milkweed), host plant for Monarchs

Atriplex hymenelytra (Desert Holly), 3’H x 3’W, beautiful desert native

Baileya multiradiata (Desert Marigold),1’H x 1’W, colorful desert native

Bouteloua gracilis (Blue grama grass)*, 6”H x 1’W, great lawn substitute

Eschscholzia californica (CA Poppy), annual

Leptodactylon californicum (Prickly Phlox), 1-2’H x 1-3’W, covered in pink flowers in spring

Linum lewisii (Blue Flax), 1’H x 1’W, small perennial with blue flowers

Muhlenbergia rigens (Deergrass)*, 4’H x 4’W, lovely ornamental native grass

Nassella cernua (Nodding Needlegrass)*, 3’H 3’W, delicate bunchgrass for small spaces

Penstemon eatonii, Penstemon pseudospectabilis, Penstemon palmeri var. palmeri, dimensions vary, most have colorful red or purple flowers in spring

Salvia columbariae (Chia), annual

Sporobolous airoides (Alkali Sacaton), 2’H x 3’W, attractive and underappreciated native bunchgrass

Verbena gooddingii (Gooding’s Verbena), 1’H x 1-2’W, lavender flowers, good for butterflies