Front Yard Plants for Arizona

Texas Honey Mesquite

• The Texas honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa v. glandulosa) will grow up to 30 feet tall with a wide canopy according to Ursula K. Schuch and Jack J. Kelly of the University of Arizona. It can provide a canopy over a large portion of your Arizona front yard or shade the warm side of the house. The Texas honey mesquite grows very quickly and will provide shade within a few years. It loses its leaves in winter, letting the sun through for warmth.

Blue Palo Verde

• The blue palo verde tree (Cercidium Floridum) will grow quickly to 30 feet tall. It needs full sun but very little water. In spring, it produces masses of bright yellow flowers, attracting birds and bees. Laura Murphy of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension explains that the name means "green stick" in Spanish. The entire tree is green, including the trunk and branches.

Yellow Bird of Paradise

• Yellow bird of paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii) may grow to 6 feet tall. It will spread quickly within the watered area and form an interesting and brightly colored shrub, suitable for accents or foundation plantings. Red accents the exotic yellow flowers. These shrubs flower all summer and attract bees, birds and butterflies. They need very little water.

Bougainvillea

• Although bougainvillea (bougainvillea spectabilis) comes in many bright colors, the most popular are shades of red or pink. The branches grow up to 15 feet tall, and you can train them up a trellis or against a fence. It does not want much water and needs full sun in order to bloom. Angela Sachson of the University of Florida explains that bracts surrounding each tiny white flower provide the color.

Weber's Agave

• Weber's agave (Agave weberi) will accent areas of your Arizona front yard. Do not plant this attractive succulent close to a doorway or walkway, as the tips of the leaves are very sharp. This plant will grow well in partial shade. It may grow up to 6 feet tall with blue-green leaves that remain attractive year around. It will produce yellow flowers briefly in the early summer.

Beavertail Prickly Pear Cactus

• The beavertail prickly pear cactus (Opuntia basilaris) only grows to about 12 inches tall, a good choice for an accent in the front yard. They prefer full sun and need very little water. Bright pink flowers appear in the spring. According to the University of California, they have a variety of uses and are edible. Prepare and eat the pads as a vegetable and use the fruits in jellies and candies. You will not want to place these near walkways where the thorns will catch on clothing.