Southern Live OakPhoenix's Best Evergreen Shade Tree Southern Live Oak Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) is the most iconic evergreen shade tree you can plant in a Phoenix landscape. Unlike most oaks, it keeps its leaves year round, delivering a dense, sweeping canopy of dark green foliage through every season. Once established, it's remarkably drought tolerant and handles the Valley's brutal summers without flinching. Whether you're shading a backyard in

2–3 ft for barrier hedges

Borders & Edging

Madagascar Tree Aloe Mature Height 5–6 feet Mature Width 3–5 feet Growth Rate Moderate — fills out within 3–5 years in Phoenix Sun Full sun to partial shade

while Totem Pole Major (Lophocereus schottii 'Monstrosus') is completely smooth and spineless

so it makes both a tight vertical accent and a fast spiny border

Tropical Bird of Paradise handles dry periods well and can go 2–3 weeks without water in non-summer months

Is Barbara Karst Bougainvillea (Staked) Right for Your Yard

The combination of silvery foliage

Hardy to about 5°F

arid climate

It empowers homeowners with the knowledge to choose the right system

Both are native — Purple is showier