Common name: Italian Stone Pine
Botanical name: Pinus pinea
Italian Stone Pine has a moderate growth rate to 40'-80' in height, spreading 20'-40' wide. It eventually forms a broad umbrella with a shaped, flat crown. The needles cluster in 2's, 5"-8" long, and brown to gray green in color. Bark is fissured, reddish brown with orange. Cones appear in spring, starting off green colored and changing to brown. They are shaped like small footballs. Some folks use the juvenile pine as Christmas trees.
Common name: Fox Tail Agave
Botanical name: Agave attenuata
This Agave has a dramatic tropical form. Even light frost can damage its succulent leaves. It is great for containers. In the low desert, partial sun will be best. If it becomes top heavy, simply cut and stick in the ground to root. It is not a fast grower and has light green foliage. It will also die after flowering but pups around the mother will survive. Distinctive with its large rosette of leaves perched on a long curving trunk, it is a native from Mexico. Also called: Velvet Agave
Common name: Century Plant, Maguey
Botanical name: Agave americana
This plant is fast growing to about 6'-10' tall and 8'-13' wide. Wide gray leaves have stiff terminal spines and recurved teeth on margins. It prefers full sun and well-drained situations. After blooming, which could take several years, it will die but will send up new pups from around the base. Some people are allergic to the sap. Removal is difficult if unwanted.
Common name: Wilhelm's Lance Torch Lily
Botanical name: Kniphofia 'Wilhelm's Lance'
This perennial will grow to about 6' tall and has large green, grass-like leaves with red, orange, and yellow tubular flowers that bloom in summer. Flowers resemble tiki torches. Hummingbirds love the flowers.
Common name: Tree Aloe
Botanical name: Aloe baineseii
This slow-growing tree has a heavy, mottled gray trunk with forking branches. It produces 2'-3' leaves in rosettes and rose/pink flowers that appear in fall or winter. This tree can reach 30' tall and 20' wide. Leaves are long, evergreen, thin. It does best in full sun with loamy soil. Great for large containers. Deer resistant.