Internet tree sales vs local nurseries, etc

16 years ago

I'm looking to plant a smallish (max 25' tall) flowering tree on my flood-irrigated property in phoenix. Local nurseries seem to have a fairly limited selection of small flowering trees, but I've found internet sites, e.g. Nature Hills, that sell some interesting trees that can supposedly grow in my hardiness zone, 9. (I'm not really interested in native desert trees because most I know about are fairly messy, and I'm not too fond of their general appearance.) I was wondering whether trees such as the flowering dogwood or eastern redbud are not sold at local nurseries because they are harder to maintain in the nursery environment, or because they truly don't grow well (or at all) in the Phoenix area. Has anyone had any luck growing trees such as these that are on the fringe of compatibility with the desert climate? It seems like having irrigation would permit growing a wider variety of trees than usual. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

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Comments (7)

murmanator
16 years ago
The hardiness zone really only defines what zone a plant can over-winter in safely. In other words it's cold tolerance. You also have to consider the heat tolerance of a plant, which is measured in number of days per year above 86 degrees. Below is a link to the AHS web site which has some info on the heat zones, but you know from living here that we are in a very hot area. You will need to find out what heat zone your trees can handle. For instance, if you browse Monrovias web site, they list both the USDA Hardiness Zone as well as the AHS Heat Zone a plant can live in.

As to your other question about nurseries: they do not sell specific plants for 2 reasons (1) the plants do not sell (they are unpopular) and (2) they do not do well here. Big Box stores like Home Depot will sell plants that are on the very edge of being able to live here but they sell them because they are popular (and because they can force unfair warranty policies on the growers). Other smaller nurseries need to protect themselves by selling plants that have a higher success rate in our harsh climate.

I dont know about the trees you asked about, never tried them and never heard of them growing here. Maybe other will have some input on that.

Here is a link that might be useful: AHS Heat Zone Map
ballyhoobill
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the info! I await further responses...
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aztreelvr
16 years ago
I echo what murmanator said. Our area in the Southwest is like nowhere else on earth and on-line nurseries have no clue as to what will really grow here. A better guide to climate zones are the ones from Sunset Magazine (we're in zone 13).

Small flowering trees that will tolerate flood irrigation include:
Purple Leaf Plum
Ornamental Pear
Jacaranda
Chitalpa
Mexican Elderberry
Anacacho Orchid (Bauhinia lunarioides)
Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa)
Chaste Tree or Monk's Pepper/Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus)

One that is a little larger but would do well is Silk Floss (Chorisia speciosa).

You can find these trees at local nurseries or at the Desert Botanical Garden or Boyce Thompson Arboretum plant sales. Most are listed in the free brochure Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert which you can get from your local city's water conservation office.

Follow the water conservation link at the address below for your city's contact information.

Here is a link that might be useful: Arizona Municipal Water Users
amalgamation
16 years ago
Hey there,

I'm not sure about the trees you mentioned, but I've been looking into trees under 20' this year. Still haven't made a decision, but have found many pretty trees and shrubs that can be trained as trees. Some shrubs grow to 30 feet or more! So, you might want to check out that area of plants as well.

We need a "tree" under 20', no thorns, flowering would be nice, etc. (I like "lush" looking plants, which, surprisingly, can be found - with a lot of research - for a desert garden.) It turns out quite a few gorgeous flowering shrubs can be trained into trees. I have a decent list of them somewhere on our computer if you are interested. Otherwise, you might look up shrubs and small trees in one of the Sunset books or books by Mary Irish (really helpful!).

Also, here's a link for free gov booklets on xeriscape plants. The one you might find useful for shrubs/ small trees is named "Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert". http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/EMAIL/emwtlitreq.html If you are interested in xeriscaping (more water for your trees if you go with a non-native!) the "Xeriscape" booklet has good info too.

I'm originally from NY and miss the gorgeous trees there - and know not all of the desert trees you usually see are pretty, but I was surprised by what's out there that will actually thrive here.

Hope this helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: Free Booklets Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert
softmentor
16 years ago
Maybe a little of both. Local nurseries will carry what grow in your area, but often are limited to what is popular at the time and what sells a lot. Use the internet to explore other possibilities, then look around your area to see if any are growing there, and talk to the local nursery and see what they have to say. When asking advise from a local nursery, make sure you ask the individual a little about their background and knowledge and experience. If they just moved from New York, they may not be as helpful, even if they have a horticulture degree.
ballyhoobill
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all the info. I ended up planting a Hong Kong Orchid, which many nurseries have and supposedly grows fairly well here with some care taken during frosts. For now I guess I'll stay away from internet nurseries for the typical reasons. Hopefully I can come up with trees/plants for my yard that are available and "supported" in the valley.

Now...does anyone have suggestions for a decorative shrub that can be trimmed into interesting geometrical shapes, such as a stack of inverted cones???
dirtdog09
14 years ago
WOW
how's that orchid doing?
woulda thot it would be WAY too hot for that
the one's in los angeles look heat stressed or worse

dogwoods will never handle the heat
i just got a 'forest pansy' redbud
the summer heat makes it droop sum
cannot handle ANY midday sun
90s common, 100s at times here

them internet sites and their zones can be very misleading
i rarely find the unusual showy stuff i plant at local nurseries ...

Internet tree sales vs local nurseries, etc

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murmanator

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Internet tree sales vs local nurseries, etc

Comments (7)

murmanator

ballyhoobillOriginal Author

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aztreelvr

amalgamation

softmentor

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dirtdog09

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ballyhoobill
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ballyhoobill
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