Thornless Garden        
Common Name Latin Name T Usual H X W Ornamental Value
         
Acton Encelia Encelia actoni S 3 feet X 3 feet Yellow flowers in spring and summer, fragrant foliage
Angelita Daisy Hymenoxys acaulis, prev. Tetraneuris acaulis P 1 foot X 1 foot 1 foot long blooming yellow flower February to November
Antelope Bitterbrush, Greasewood Purshia tridentata S 5 feet X 5 feet Fragrant with yellow flowers
Arizona Cypress Curpessus arizonica T 40 feet X 15 feet Christmas tree look, evergreen, conical
Arizona Rosewood, Desert Rose Vauquelinia californica T, S 4 feet X 15 feet or prune In place of oleander, shrub, hedge, or tree, may be pruned
Apache Plume Falugia paradoxa P 4 feet X 4 feet White rose-like flowers, pink plumed fruits
Autumn Sage Salvia greggi S 3 feet X 3 feet Red flowers, aromatic
Baby Sage Salvia microphylla S 3 feet X 3 feet Red flowers, mid-summer to mid-fall
Baccharifolius Beardtongue Penstemon baccharifolius P 2 feet X 2 feet Red trumpet shaped flowers June through September
Baja Fairy Duster Calliandra californica S 3 feet X 4 feet Bright red blooms February to May, again in fall
Bamboo Muhly, Faury Bamboo Muhlenbergia dumosa S 18 inches X 3 feet Delicate flowers after rains
Bastard Sage Eriogonum wrightii P 2 feet x 2 feet Lacy flowers in spring, deciduous
Bay Laurel Laurus nobilis T 10' x 10' Inconspicuous yellow flowers December through May, fragrant leaves
Big Berry Manzanita Arctostaphylos glauca S 10 feet X 6 feet White to pink flowers
Big Muhly Grass, Lindheimer's Muhly Muhlenbergia lindheimeri S 1 foot X 2 feet Purple to grey flowers in summer and fall
Birchleaf Mountain Mahogany Cercocarpus montanus S 12 feet X 4 feet White to pink fragrant flowers
Bird's-foot Cliffbrake Pellaea mucronata S 1' x 1' Green, fern-like
Bisbee Peak Rushrose Helianthemum scoparium P 1 foot X 2 feet Yellow flowers March through July
Blackfoot Daisy Melampodium leucanthum P 6 inches X one foot White one inch daisies
Black Oak Quercus kelloggii T 25 feet X 25 feet Dapple shade, deciduous, leaves red in fall
Black Sage Salvia mellifera S 1 foot X 1 foot Fragrant with lavender flowers
Bladder pod Isomeris arborea S 4 feet X 5 feet Yellow flowers almost all year
Bluedicks Dichelostemma capitatum P 6 inches Light blue flowers late winter to mid-spring
Blue Eldberberrry Sambucus nigra T 12' x 12' Small, berrylike drupe, purple-black, and very juicy
Blue Oak Quercus douglasii T 30' x 30' Evergreen medium sized oak
Bovardia Bouvardia ternifolia S 4 feet X 3 feet Showy red trumpet shaped flowers May through November
Brewer's Salt Bush Atriplex lentiformis S 7 feet x 7 feet Yellow flowers July to October, evergreen grey leaves
Brittle Bush Encelia farinosa S 3 feet X 3 feet Yellow flowers blooming all spring
Buck Brush Ceanothus cuneatus S 8 feet X 9 feet White to light blue flower in late winter to mid-spring
Bullgrass Muhlenbergia emersleyi P 3 feet X 3 feet Purple flowers June to November, clump grass
Bush Beardtongue Keckiella breviflora P 5 feet X 5 feet White flowers line with purple, pink, or red streaks in spring and fall, fragrant
Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa P 2 feet Bright red or orange flower in mid-summer followed by attractive pods in fall
California Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum P 18 inches to 3 feet Lacy flowers in spring
California False Indigo Amphora californica S 6 feet x 6 feet Small purple flowers on 3 inch spike, frangrance of guava, pineapple, lavender
California Fremontia, Flannelbush Fremontodendron californicumt T 12 feet X 15 feet 1 to 2 inch yellow flowers in spring
California Fuchsia Zauschneria californica P 3 feet X 5 feet Red flowers from mid-spring to early winter
California Laurel Umbellularia californica T 40 feet X 20 feet Inconspicuous yellow flowers December through May, fragrant leaves
California Trixis, American Threefold Trixis californica S 3 feet X 3 feet Showy yellow flowers
California Walnut Juglans californica T 20 feet X 20 feet Yellow blooms the March through May resulting in edible nuts, full shade
Canyon Silktassel Garrya veatchii S 6 feet X 6 feet Showy male flowers hang in long white catkins from the end of the branches late winter to spring
Cascalote Tree Caesalpinia cacalaco T 12 feet X 12 feet Light yellow flowers most of winter, attractive copper pods
Chihuahuan Sage, Cenizo, Purple Sage Salvia mellifera S 4 feet X 5 feet Fragrant with lavender to purple flowers
Chocolate Daisy Berlandiera lyrata P 1 foot X 1 foot Yellow daisies almost all year
Chuparosa Justicia californica S 4 feet X 8 feet Long tubular red flowers from May through fall, deciduous
Cliff Goldenbush Ericameria cuneata P 1 foot X 1.5 feet Showy yellow flowers late summer and fall
Cliff Fendlerbush Fendlera rupicola S 1 foot X 6 feet Purple flowers in spring to fall, fragrant, silver foliage
Cliff Rose, Mexican Cliffrose, Bitterbrush Purshia mexicana S 8 feet X 5 feet Fragrant white aromatic flowers with long yellow stamens
Coarse Verbena Verbena rigida P 1 foot X 2 feet Violet-purple flowers in summer and fall, groundcover
Coffeyberry Rhamnus californica S 5 feet X 10 feet Greenish white to yellow flowers in spring, dark red fruit later
Colorado Four O'clock Mirabilis multiflora P 1 foot X 1 foot Green leaves, purple flowers in July and August
Coulter Pine Pinus coulteri T 40 feet X 20 feet Long dark green needles
Coyote Gourd Cucurbita palmata V 6" x 30' Large 3" wide yellow, unisexual, bell shaped, opens in morning, closes by mid-day, April through September
Creosote Bush Larrea tridentata S 6 feet X 6 feet Small yellow flowers, evergreen
Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany Cercocarpus ledifolius T 12 feet X 12 feet Inconspicuous flowers but eye catching spiral silver-haired seed plumes, plant has spicy aroma
Damianita Daisy Chrysactinia mexicana S 2 feet X 2 feet Yellow daisies, evergreen
Deergrass Muhlenbergia rigens S 3 feet to 4 feet Lacy flowers in spring
Deerweed Lotus scoparius P 3 feet X 3 feet Blooms all year, yellow flowers turn red once pollinated
Desert Almond Prunus fasciculata S 3 feet X 3 feet Tiny, white flowers, not showy
Desert Bird of Paradise Caesalpinia gilliesii   S 4 feet X 4 feet Showy red and yellow flowers
Desert Broom Baccharis sarothroides S 6 feet X 6 feet Winter blooms, showy white flowers on female plant, cream colored on male
Desert Deathcamas Zigadenus brevibracteatus P 2 feet X 1 feet Cream colored flowers April-May
Desert False Indigo Amphora fruticosa S 10' x 10' Small purple flowers on 3 inch spike, fragrance of guava, pineapple, lavender
Desert Larkspur Delphinium pasishii P 3 feet X 1 foot Blue to purple flowers in April through June
Desert Lavender Hyptis emoryi S 8 feet X 8 feet Lavender flowers, minty fragrance in spring
Desert Marigold Baileya multiradiata P 1 foot X 1 foot Yellow daisies almost all year
Desert Mariposa Lily Calochortus kennedyi P to 8 inches Orange, yellow, or white flowers from April to June
Desert Milkweed Asclepias erosa P 2 feet X 2 feet White flowers May to July
Desert Penstemon, Desert Beardtongue Penstemon pseudospectabilis P 2 feet X 2 feet Showy magenta (pink-purple) flowers in mid-summer
Desert Rosemallow Hibiscus coulteri P 4 feet X 2 feet Showy cream, tan, or yellow flowers March through November
Desert Sage, Purple Sage Salvia dorrii S 2 feet X 2 feet Blue flowers bloom late in spring , leaves fragrant
Desert Sunflower, Goldeneye Viguiera deltoidea parishii P 3 feet X 3 feet Showy yellow flowers
Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis T 12 feet X 15 feet Trumpet shaped flowers 2 to 3 inches long in white to rose to purple, often two toned
Dwarf Coyote Brush Baccharis pilularis Var. pilularis S 1 foot X 12 feet Evergreen groundcover
Dwarf White Zinnia, Desert Zinnia Zinnia acerosa P 3 inches X 1 foot White flowers after rains
Eaton's Penstemon, Scarlet Bugler Penstemon eatoni P 3 feet X 2 feet Showy red flowers in spring
Feather Dalea Dalea formosa S 1 foot X 2 feet Bloom March to September with small purple and white or cream flowers, good ground cover
Foothill Penstemon, Purdy's Penstemon Penstemon heterophyllus P 2 feet X 1 foot Showy violet flowers in spring
Fairy Duster, Pink Fairy Duster, Mock Mesquite Calliandra eriophylla S 4 feet X 4 feet Silver-green leaves, fragrant, pink to red duster blooms most of year
Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens S 5 feet X 5 feet Yellow flowers May to September, evergreen grey leaves
Fragrant Evening Primrose Neriserenia camporum P 8 inches X one foot White to pale pink flowers in spring
Gayfeather, Blazing Star, Button Snakeroot Liatris spicata P 2 feet X 3 feet Late blooming lavender to purple flower
Giant Sacaton Grass Sporobolus wrightii P 6 feet X 6 feet Pale pink fragrant flowers mid-summer to fall
Giant Woolystar Eriastrum densifolium P 1 foot X 1 foot Light blue to purple flowers bloom June to October, endangered
Gilia Beardtongue Penstemon ambiguus P 2 feet X 2 feet Uniquely showy light-pink flowered species for its extravagant late spring display
Globe Mallow, Desert Mallow Sphaeralcea ambigua P 2 feet X 3 feet Orange, pink, white, or lavender leaves mostly in spring
Golden Stars Bloomeria crocea P 2 feet Bright yellow flowers in spring, goes dormant in summer
Golden Yarrow Eriophyllum confertiflorum P 2 feet Mat of bright yellow flowers
Grape Soda Lupine Lupinus excubitus S 4 feet X 4 feet Showy purple blooms May and June with fragrance of grape soda
Great Basin Sage, Big Sagebrush Artemisia tridentata S 4 feet X 4 feet Silver-green leaves, fragrant
Gregg Dalea Dalea greggii S 1 X 6 feet Purple flowers in spring to fall, fragrant
Grinnell's Penstemon Penstemon grinnellii P 2 feet X 2 feet Showy pink flowers in spring
Hairawn Muhly Muhlenbergia capillaris P 3 feet X 4 feet Purple to pink flowers on September to November, clump grass
Hairy Goldenaster Heterotheca villosa P 1 foot X 1 foot Yellow to gold flowers June through October
Hairy-leaf Ceanothus Ceanothus oliganthus oliganthus S 6 feet X 6 feet Whitish to blue to purple flowers in spring
Hairyseed Bahia Bahia absinthifolia P 1 foot X 1 foot Yellow blooms spring through fall
Hairy Yerba Santa Eriodictyon trichocalyx S 6 feet X 6 feet White to purple flowers in spring
Incense Cedar Calocedrus decurrens T 40 feet X 20 feet Long dark green needles, fragrant
Indian Ricegrass Oryzopsis hymenoides P 2 feet X 1 foot Cream or tan flowers in spring, goes dormant with summer heat, popular for dry flower arrangements
Indigo Bush Amorpha californica P 6 feet x 6 feet Violet flowers in spring, fragrant, attracts butterflies
Interior Live Oak Quercus wislizenii T 10 feet X 20 feet Deep shade
Jimson Weed, Datura, Toloache Datura wrightii P 2 feet X 2 feet Showy white or off-white 6 to 8 " flowers in spring, summer and fall
Kaweah River Bush Monkey Flower Diplacus calycinus P 3 feet X 3 feet White to yellow to orange flowers from March until July
Latin American Fleabane Erigeron karvinskianus P 2 feet X 5 feet White to pink flowers blooming most of year, ground cover, shuts down during hottest months
Limber Pine Pinus flexilis T 30 feet x 20' feet Long dark blue/green needles
Little Leaf Cordia Cordia parvifolia S 8 feet X 10 feet White clusters of blooms March through November
Littleleaf Mountain Mahogany Cercocarpus intricatus T 6feeet X 6 feet Small yellow flowers in mid-spring, evergreen rosemary-like leaves
Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta T 40 feet X 15 feet Dark green needles, slender conical shape
Longleaf Indian Paintbrush Castilleja subinclusa P 3 feet X 2 feet Red flowers spring through summer
Mariola Parthenium incanum P 2 feet X 2 feet Gray-white, velvety, aromatic, drought and cold deciduous
Matilija Poppy Romneya coulteri P 3 feet X 2 feet Huge white flowers, yellow centers, May to July, fragrant
Mescal Bean Sophora secundiflora  T 20 feet X 15 feet Distinctive, showy; pendulous raceme of purple flowers late winter to early spring, fragrant
Mojave Aster Xylorhiza tortifolia P 1 foot X 2 feet Light purple flowers March through May and again in September-October
Mojave Verbena Verbena gooddingii P 1 foot X 1 foot Pale lavender-blue flowers from February to November, fragrant
Moss Verbena Verbena pulchella or Glandulosa p. P 1 foot X 2 feet Purple, plum, or white flowers in spring, groundcover
Mountain Desert Sage Salvia pachyphylla S 2 feet x 2feet Two-tone red and purple large flowers July through September, evergreen grey-green leaves
Mountain Mahogany Cercocarpus belutoides T 12 feet x 4 feet White to pink fragrant flowers, attractive leaves, inverse conical shape, gains personality with age
Narrowleaf Yerba Santa Eriodictyon angustifolium S 3 feet X 3 feet White flowers in spring and summer
Netleaf Hackberry Celtic reticulata T 15 feet X 20 feet Attracts songbirds in fall and winter, good shade tree
Nodding Needlegrass Nassella cernua or Stipa cernua S 2 feet X 3 feet Turf
Palmer's Penstemon, Baloon Flower Penstemon palmeri P 2 feet X 1 foot Showy pink flowers in spring, aromatic
Paper Flower Psilostrophe cooperi P 1 foot X 2 feet Yellow flowers bloom early in spring and last for a long time eventually turning into dry and paper-like
Parish's Bluecurls Trichostema parishii P 3 feet X 3 feet Showy blue fragrant flowers in spring
Parry's Penstemon Penstemon parryi P 3 feet X 2 feet Rose-pink flowers in spring
Pineleaf Penstemon, Pineneedle Beardtongue Penstemon pinifolius P 1 foot X 1 foot Showy red flowers in late spring, summer
Pine Muhly Muhlenbergia dubia P 3 feet X 3 feet White flowers on August to September, clump grass
Pink California Fuchsia Zauschneria californica Pink P 2 feet Pink flowers spring through fall
Pipestem Clematis Clematis lasiantha P To 20 feet Small white to tan blooms late spring to mid-summer, vine to 20 feet
Pointleaf Manzanita Arctostaphylos pungens S 6 feet X 6 feet White to pink flowers in late winter to spring, red berries in summer
Ponderosa Pine, Yellow Pine Pinus ponderosa T 100 feet X 30 feet Dark green needles
Prince's Plume Stanleya pinnata P 6 feet X 5 feet 3 foot yellow flower spikes bloom April through September
Purple Threeawn Aristida purpurea P 3 feet X 3 feet Bunch grass, purple blooms April to October
Redshank Adenostoma sparsifolium T 5 feet X 6 feet Small white flowers
Rockspirea, Mountainspray Holodiscus dumosus S 8 feet X 5 feet White spray of flowers in July, fruits in October
Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii T 40 feet X 20 feet Long dark green needles, fragrant
Royal Penstemon, Showy Penstemon Penstemon spectabilis P 3 feet X 2 feet Purple-blue flowers in spring
Rubber Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus nauseosus S 3 feet 2 feet Small yellow flowers in summer, cotton tufts in fall, grey leaves and limbs
Scarlet Bugler Penstemon centranthifolius P 1 feet X 2 feet Showy red flowers in spring
Scarlet Keckiella Keckiella ternata P 3 feet X 3 feet Red flowers spring to summer
Scrub Live Oak Quercus turbinella T 6 feet X 6 feet Remains small, evergreen
Side Oats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula P 2 feet spreading Purple blooms summer to fall
Silver Lupine Lupinus albifrons P 5 feet X 5 feet Light blue to purple flowers in summer
Skeletonleaf Goldeneye Viguiera stenoloba P 2 feet X 3 feet Golden flowers after rains
Skunkbush Sumac Rhus trilobata S 5 feet X 5 feet Small white or yellow flowers, red berries, leaves turn reddish in fall, deciduous
Snapdragon Penstemon Keckiella breviflora P 6 feet X 3 feet Wonderfully fragrant, bright yellow flowers and elegant foliage
Snowflake Sage Salvia chionophylla P 1 foot X 6 feet/year Blue flowers spring and fall, evergreen gray-white ground cover
Southern California Grape Vitis girdiana P 9 feet x 30 feet White flowers in spring, blue fruit in summer, ground cover
Southern Honeysuckle Lonicera subspicata denudata S 8 feet and spreading White to yellow flowers spring to summer, climbing
Starleaf Mexican Orange, Fragrant Starleaf Choisya dumosa S 18 inches X 3 feet White fragrant flowers after rains, fancy leaves
Sticky Monkeyflower Mimulus aurantiacus P 3 feet X 3 feet White to orange to red flowers mid-spring to early summer
Sugarbush Rhus ovata S 15 feet X 20 feet Red and cream flowers in spring, red fruits in early summer
Sulfur Flower Eriogonum umbellatum S 3 inches x 3 feet Yellow flowers in spring, good ground cover
Tecate Cypress Curpessus forbesii T 15 feet X 10 feet Evergreen, grey/green, irregularly conical
Texas Plume Bauhinia lunarioides T 12 feet X 10 feet Fragrant pale pink orchid-like flowers in spring, butterfly shaped flowers
Texas Ranger Leucophyllum frutescens S 6 feet X 6 feet Purple trumpet shaped flowers, evergreen silver leaves
Toyon, Christmas Berry Heteromeles arbutifolia T 8 feet X 5 feet Small white flowers, beautiful red fruit in clusters
Tree Poppy Dendromecon rigida S 8 feet X 6 feet Profuse bright yellow poppy flowers spring through fall
Upright Prairie Cooneflower Ratibida columnifera P 3 feet X 2 feet Showy brown, yellow, orange flowers May through October
Utah Service Berry Amelanchier utahensis S 15 feet x 15 feet White flowers in spring, fruit in early summer, white bark
Violet Silverleaf Leucophyllum candidum S 5 feet X 5 feet Violet flowers February to May, silver-white leaves
Wavyleaf Soap Plant Chlorogalum pomeridianum P To 3 feet Summer white lilies, dies out in late summer
Western Hackberry Celtic occidentalis T 45 feet x 50 feet Attracts songbirds in fall and winter, good shade tree, small green flowers in spring
Western Redbud Cercis occidentalis T 20 feet X 10 feet Showy pink, purple, or white flowers in April, rosy seed pods in May
Western Soapberry Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii T 40 feet X 20 feet Large showy flowers in May and June, deciduous
Whitebrush Aloysia gratissima S 6 feet X 6 feet White flowers March to November
White Fir Albies concolor T 30 feet X 12 feet Evergreen, popular Christmas tree, leaves have lemony fragrance
White Gaura, Whirling Butterflies Gaura lindheimeri P 18 inches X 2 feet Flowers used by butterflies and bees
White Sage, Bee Sage Salvia apiana S 3 feet X 3 feet White flowers, grey leaves, aromatic
White Sagebrush Artemisia ludoviciana P 1 foot X 3 feet Fragrant silver foliage, insignificant yellow flowers July to October
Winterfat Ceratoides lanata S 2 feet X 3 feet Silvery leaves, white hairs on leaves
Woodland Strawberry Frageria vesca ssp. californica P 6 inches x 9 feet White flowers in spring, red fruit in summer, ground cover
Wooly Bluecurls Trichostema lanatum S 4 feet X 4 feet Blue-pink flowers in spring and fall, fragrant
Wooly Indian Paintbrush Castilleja foliolosa P 3 feet X 3 feet Showy orange to red flowers March through June
Woolly Paper Flower Psilostrophe tagetina P 1 foot X 1 foot Yellow flowers bloom early in spring and last for a long time eventually turning into dry and paper-like, fragrant
Yarrow Achillea millefolium californica P 3 feet X 3 feet White to near white, sometimes pink, flat topped cluster of small flowers from mid-spring to early winter, fragrant
Yellow Bush Snapdragon Keckiella antirrhinoides P 6 fet x 3 feet Wonderfully fragrant, bright yellow flowers spring and summer and elegant foliage
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