What do you call a plant that can live on less than 5” of annual rainfall, tolerate temperature lows of 5-20????? F in the winter and summer highs of 110????? F, a possible daily swing of as much as 40 degrees from low to high, and elevations of 2000 to 3000 ft above sea level (the same environment existing in the Mojave Desert)? Why, super Cali-frigi-xeri-scape plants, of course! “Cali” is from the latin for hot, “frigi” means cold, “xeri” we know by now means dry, and of course “scape” from landscape.

Selecting plants for landscaping in our Mojave or “high” desert area can really be a challenge, but if the concepts of good horticulture and design are followed, an interesting and attractive landscape (to humans and wildlife) can be created. Select plants to create screens from the wind, provide shade in the summer, but allow sun penetration in the winter; create interest by selecting evergreen and deciduous plants, contrasting high and low growing plants, and choosing plants with various colors and textures. Select short-term, fast growing plants for immediate effect as well as slower growing, but long lasting specimens for “posterity.”

By combining and contrasting plants using basic design and horticultural characteristics, the designer can create the micro-climates/micro-environments and also respond to existing site-specific environmental constraints.

Select from the following list to begin your planning. Research each plant’s characteristics, preferences and tolerances. Some are native to the area and some are adaptable. Some will certainly require more than the average annual rainfall, so keep that in mind.

Evergreen Trees

Calocedrus decurrens
Casaurina spp.
Cedrus deodora
Cupressus arizonica
Eucalyptus rudis
Olea europa
Pinus coulteri
Pinus edulis
Pinus monophylla
Pinus quadrifolia
Pinus sabiniana
Quercus douglasti
Quercus suber
Sophora secundiflora

Deciduous Trees

Acacia farnesiana
Acacia greggli
Celtis reticulata
Cercidium floridum
Chilopsis linearis
Gleditsia tracanthos
Koelreuteria paniculata
Melia azedarach
Quercus virginiana
Robinia pseudoacacia
Zizyphus jujuba

Large Shrubs

Amorpha fruticosa
Atriplex canescens
Atriplex lentiformis
Atriplex polycarpa
Baccharis sarathroides
Cercocarpus betuloides
Eleagnus angustifolia
Forestiera neomexicana
Fremontia californica
Garrya flavescens
Juniperus californica
Juniperus osteosperma
Larrea tridentata
Mahonia nevinli
Prunus ilicifolia
Prunus virginia
Purshia tridentate
Rhus ovata
Sheperdia argentea

Accent Shrubs

Artiplex hynebelytra
Caesalpinia gilliessi
Cassia armata
Cowania Mexican
Dendromecon rigida
Fouqeria splendens
Fremontia californica
Isomeris arborea
Leucophyllum frutescens
Nolina biglovii
Nolina parryi
Nolina wolfii
Purshia tridentata
Rhus trilobata
Simmondsia chinensis
Vitis girdiana
Yucca spp.

Low Shrubs

Artemisia tridentate
Chrysothamnus nauseous
Encelia farinosa
Fallugia paradoxa
Mahonia aquilfolium

Ground Covers

Abronia villosa
Agave deserti
Opuntia basilaris