Climate is the key to landscape gardening in the Southwest. Arizona climate ranges from
subalpine to sub-tropical deserts, so a wide array of landscape trees and shrubs can be grown
in Southwest. Very few landscape trees and shrubs grow well over the entire range of climates
found in the region. Therefore, it is important to know how local climate influences the types of
plants that can grow in the region. Many climatic factors play a role in determining the kinds of
plants that will grow in a given location. Some of these factors include geography, minimum
winter temperature and maximum summer temperatures, rainfall amount and distribution,
humidity, day length and light intensity. The Sunset climate system divides the Western United
States into climate zones and then lists many landscape plants and what zones they grow best
in. Before viewing the topic videos, review the website and readings, and answer the following
questions about climate. View the PowerPoint presentation on six important terms discussed in
this topic.
Climate Zones:
1. What factors are used to determine the Sunset Climate Zones?
2. What is a microclimate?
3. What Sunset climate zone is Phoenix located in and how does this affect the trees and
shrubs that grow best in this area?
4. How does the climate in the Phoenix area differ from the other desert climate zones in the
Southwest including climate in cities such as Tucson, Las Vegas and Albuquerque?
In order to understand this topic and your creative assignment for this module, you will need to
review some information about scientific classification. Read the University of Florida
information about scientific classification and be able to answer the following questions.
Scientific Plant Names:
5. What is the first and second word in a plant’s botanical names called? Genus and species
6. What part of the scientific name is capitalized? Genus
7. What does the word cultivar mean? Is the cultivar name usually written in Latin or English?
Landscape Trees and Shrubs:
8. Be able to define the following terms by viewing the PowerPoint presentation
obroad-leaf – trees or shrubs that have wide leaves, rather than slim, needle-like
leaves. Most broad-leaf trees and shrubs are angiosperms (flowering plants).
onarrow-leaf – trees or shrubs that have narrow, needle-like leaves. Some, but not
all, needle-leaf trees and shrubs are conifers (cone bearing plants).
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Study Guide for Topic: Landscape Trees and Shrubs for the Southwest
oevergreen – trees or shrubs that maintain a full canopy of leaves throughout the
year. Evergreen foliage remains green and functional throughout more than one
growing season.
odeciduous – trees or shrubs that lose their leaves annually, usually at the same
time. The process of leaf loss by deciduous plants is often accompanied by a
dramatic change in leaf color.
ocanopy – the layer of leaves, twigs, and small branches or trees and shrubs that
cover the ground when viewed from above. The canopy of trees provide shade
and cool landscape environments.
oaccent – visually apparent; accent plants grace landscapes with striking foliage,
flower, or branch colors, interesting textures, or unique forms.
You are now ready to watch the Landscape Trees and Landscape Shrubs videos. Click on the
video link in the Folder on the course website. At the end of the videos, you should be able to
answer the following questions based on information in the videos, the presentations and
readings.
9. What are the differences between shrubs and trees?
10. What is a shade tree?
11. Which landscape shrubs are frost or freeze sensitive?
12. What pruning practice is best to maintain a natural and attractive shrub form?
13. What are the ranges of flower colors for each landscape shrub?
14. Which trees and shrubs attract wildlife?
15. Which landscape trees produce edible fruits for people and wildlife?
16. Which landscape shrubs or trees cause respiratory allergies in many people?
17. What characteristics of form and accent define each of the landscape trees reviewed in the
video?
18. Which landscape trees are evergreen? Which are deciduous?
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Landscape trees and shrubs mentioned in these videos are listed below. If you want more
information about these plants visit:
Dr. Chris Martin’s: Virtual Library of Phoenix Landscape Plants .
(Plants are listed by their genus and species).
Landscape Trees featured in the “Landscape Trees” video
Dalbergia sissoo (Indian rosewood)
Olea europaea (olive)
Parkinsonia florida (blue palo verde)
Prosopis sp. (mesquite)
Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese elm)
Landscape Shrubs featured in the “Landscape Shrubs” video
Bougainvillea sp. (bougainvillea)
Hesperaloe parviflora (red yucca)
Lantana sp. (lantana)
Leucophyllum frutescens (Texas ranger)
Nerium oleander (oleander)
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