Plant Recommendations Colorful, Fragrant, Heat Tolerant

Q. I am fairly new to the Las Vegas area and have a 23' x 3' area on the south side by a cement wall that gets some shade. I'd like to plant some type of bushes that are colorful, fragrant, heat and drought tolerant, need minimal upkeep and will grow approximately 6-8'. I have enough oleander.  Any suggestions?

A. I will assume from your email you want plants that stay about 3' wide, low maintenance, evergreen, and will accept some sun.  Flowers and fragrance would be preferred.  I see you want 6-8' tall   The plants listed below all stay around 3' wide.

These are all medium water use plants that grow about 3' x 3':

Dwarf Bottlebrush Callistemon 'Nana'

Dwarf Youpon Holly Ilex vomitoria 'Nana'

Gulf Stream or Moon Bay Nandina Nandina 'Gulf stream' or Nandina 'Moon Bay'

Box-Leaf Euonymus Euonymus microphylla

Low water use plants that grow about 3' x 3':

Blue Texas Ranger Leucopyllum zygopyllum

Brittlebush Encilia (2 varities available)

Autumn Sage Salvia greggii

Taller growing plants to consider with some trimming to stay 3' wide:

Heavenly Bamboo Nandina domestica

Dwarf Xylosma Xylosma c. 'Compacta'

Baja Fairy Duster Calliandra californica (deciduous)

Classic Myrtle Myrtle communis

A good source for plant information is snwa.com under 'landscapes' and then 'plant search'.   You could look up plants above and decide which are best for you.

Hope this helps.  Get back to me with any further comments or concerns.

Andrea Meckley, CH