Desert Rose, Arizona Rosewood

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 0°F (-18°C) when dormant, but young shoots and recent growth are tender

Heat Tolerance: Excellent

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade, accepts reflected heat

Origin: USA (Arizona), Mexico (Baja California, Sonora)

Growth Habits: Evergreen, large shrub or small tree, up to 10 to 30 feet tall (3-9 m), 5 to 15 feet wide (1.5-4.5 m); dark red bark; trunk up to 18 inches in diameter (45 cm); alternate, lanceolate, bright green, leathery leaves, 1.6 to 4 inches long (4-10 cm), with serrated margin, and a slightly hairy underside.

Watering Needs: Light to moderate water, occasional deep watering in summer, needs good drainage

Propagation: Cuttings, seeds

Blooming Habits:
The desert rose is covered with small white flowers, 0.4 inch in diameter (1 cm) in flattened heads, in spring. The flowers have 5 petals and many stamens.

Culture:
The Arizona rosewood does better in deep, well-drained soil. It can be trained as single or multiple trunks tree.
The young plants are often scrawny and slow-growing at first, but soon they fill up as their growth accelerates.