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• Ecology defined:

The interaction of organisms with the environment

Living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) environments

• Scant precipitation (< 10 inches per year)

• 100,000 square miles• 60 mammal species• 350 bird species• 20 amphibian species• At least 100 reptile

species• 30 species of fish• More than 2,000 plant

species• 17 indigenous cultures

Guaymas, Sonora

Dunes near Yuma

Superstition Mountains

Slope of Picacho Peak

Saguaro National Park

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8686.04 Langleys per kWh/m2/day

Plant adaptations• Waxy cuticle• Succulence• Spines, hairs• Microbial associations• Altered photosynthetic

strategies

Animal adaptations• Migration• Nocturnal habits• Long ears, long legs• Aestivation

Curved-bill thrasher

Cactus wren

Anna’s hummingbird

Phainopepla

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Palo verde root borer beetle Cicada

Bark scorpion

Tarantula hawk (w/tarantula!)

Ground snakes

Western diamondback rattlesnake

Desert kingsnake

Arizona coral snake

California leaf-nosed bat

Coyote

Javelina

Mule deer

Bursage

Brittlebush

Desert broom

Desert marigold

Saguaro

Engelmann’s prickly pear

Teddy bear cholla

Fishhook barrel

Velvet mesquite Palo verde

Desert ironwood

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Palo verdes

Parkinsoniafloridum – blue palo verde

Parkinsoniamicrophyllum –foothills paloverde

Parkinsoniapraecox – Palo brea

Bursera microphylla – elephant tree

CreosoteWolfberry

Jojoba

Ocotillo

• Boyce Thompson Arboretum• Arizona-Sonora Desert

Museum• The Heard Museum• Hoo-hoogam Ki Museum• Tohono Chul Park

Additional Resources

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Kelly Young

Extension Horticulture Agent, University of Arizona

Kyoung@arizona.edu

602‐827‐8200 x 319

Wrong Plant, Wrong Location

Leads to poor care choices.

Selecting Appropriate Species:Right Plant, Right Location

Selecting Appropriate Species1. Mature size and space available2. Plant characteristics: Form, Allergies, Poisonous/edible, 

Fragrance3. Maintenance requirements: Pruning, Fertilizing, Trashy, 

Weedy4. Plant tolerances to site characteristics: Heat/cold, 

Drought/flooding, Air pollution, Insects, Diseases, Salinity, pH, Light

5. Functional uses: Shading, Screening, Erosion, Traffic, Wildlife, Safety 

6. Suitability: City and street, Electric lines, Patio and oasis, Pools

Landscape Plants for the Desert Southwest: Use it!Common Name: Blue Palo VerdeBotanical Name: Cercidium floridumMature Size: 30' h x 30' w  Flower Color: Bright yellowSun: full or reflected sun  Flower Season: springWater:  very low  Foliage Color: blue‐green Growth Rate: fast Foliage Texture: fine   Form: vase‐shaped Evergreen?  Semi‐evergreenHardiness: 11‐20° F  Litter: seasonal    Allergenic: no   Thorns: small      Attracts Wildlife: birds Other Features: Vivid spring color. Nesting for birds.Recently reclassified as Parkinsonia florida.Native to: Sonoran Desert Plant Type: tree

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Common Name: Texas Mountain LaurelBotanical Name: Sophora secundiflora

Mature Size: 8' h x 6' w Flower Color: Purple clustersSun:  full sun  Flower Season: springWater:  low  Foliage Color: dark greenGrowth Rate: slow  Foliage Texture: mediumForm: upright, dense Evergreen? Evergreen Hardiness: 1‐10° F  Litter: lowAllergenic: no  Thorns: noneOther Features: Fragrant flowers. 

Can be grown as a small tree.Native to:  Chihuahuan DesertPlant Type:  tree, shrub

Eremophilaprostrata

Pyracantha sp.

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Selecting PlantsSize relative to container

Health ‐ no evidence of:InsectsDiseaseCultural problemsWounds (especially at nursery stake)

StructureNatural plant habit/form maintainedWide branch anglesLower limbs not removedNo nursery stake

Root systemNot rootboundNo girdling roots at top of container

Transplanting1. Till area 3 to 5x diameter of rootball and no deeper, with 

rough or sloping side walls

2. Dig hole in center of tilled area no deeper than rootball

3. Do not amend backfill

4. Score or butterfly rootball to reduce probability of girdling roots, set top of rootball at or slightly above soil surface

5. Do not pack backfill around rootball

6. Form irrigation well at rootball boundary, irrigate entire tilled  area to settle soil without packing

7. Mulch soil surface to depth of 4”, keep mulch away from plant trunk

8. Do not prune unnecessarily

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StakingA. Use at least two stakes.  Put stakes outside rootball and 

irrigation well at right angles to direction of heaviest  wind.B. Hold trunk and bend canopy to one side.  If canopy does 

not return to upright position, move up trunk and try again.  Find lowest point on trunk at which the canopy can return to upright position.  Put ties about 6” above this point.  One set of cross ties is best.

C. Use wire for ties.  Protect trunk by putting wire inside garden hose.  Trunk should not move inside garden hose, but wire should be loose so that trunk and garden hose can move as a unit.

D. Cut off top of stakes below canopy to prevent limbs from rubbing against stakes.