Common name:Sweet Acacia
Botanical name:Acacia farnesiana

Large thorny shrub or small tree has a soft texture as a result of its finely divided leaves. Bright yellow flowers have a light, sweet fragrance. Bloom is heaviest in the spring and may continue intermittently throughout summer and fall. Evergreen in mild winters. Branches are armed with paired spines to 2". Flowering can be impaired by cold.

Common name:Globe Mallow
Botanical name:Sphaeralcea ambigua

Evergreeen perennial with rounded shrublike form grows quickly to 3' x 3'. Leaves are gray green and tiny hairs can irritate eyes and skin. Flowers appear in spring. Usually light orange flower but look for selections that offer a wide range of flower colors. Purchase in bloom to be sure to select desired flower color . May look rangy after flowering, prune back for fresh growth. Accepts full sun. Native to the Sonoran Desert.

Common name:Indian Fig
Botanical name:Opuntia ficus-indica

Cactus grows at a moderate rate to 12' x 18'. Usually have no spines. Flowers are yellow to orange and appear in spring. Fruit is edible. Accepts full sun. When they are young, the pads, or mopales of this cactus are used to make a delicious salsa. Treelike scuptural qualities.