Arizona rosewood is a large evergreen shrub that’s one of the toughest landscape shrubs you can plant. It makes a great alternative to oleander, a shrub that’s starting to go out of favor — for good reason! Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this hardy Sonoran Desert native.
Arizona rosewood (Vauquelinia californica) is a large evergreen shrub with densely packed, dark green, leathery leaves. As a Sonoran Desert native, it’s one of the toughest, easiest landscape shrubs you can grow. It withstands temperature extremes, and needs minimal irrigation and pruning.
In the spring, clusters of small white flowers attract bees and butterflies. Flowers are followed by seeds that attract birds. Plants are a larval host for the beautiful two-tailed swallowtail butterfly.
Why I Like This Plant
- Makes a great screen or windbreak
- Clusters of white flowers in the spring
- Needs minimal care
- No thorns, non-toxic
- Important for native wildlife
Arizona Rosewood: Oleander Alternative
One of my favorite things about this plant is that it makes an excellent alternative to oleander. While it doesn’t flower as splendidly, it has similar leaves, and grows to have a similar shape and size.
The problems with oleanders are many — it’s highly toxic, provides no value to pollinators, is subject to several and diseases. But the dealbreaker for me is that it’s now considered invasive throughout the southern half of the US, including Arizona, Nevada, California, and every state between Texas and South Carolina.
You can learn more about the problems with oleanders here.
Things to Watch Out For
While Arizona rosewood is in the rose family (Rosaceae), it has no thorns and its flowers are not fragrant. Flowers are short-lived and are followed by persistent brown seeds that some people find unattractive.
This plant grows better in “cooler” desert spot like Tucson than it does in hotter areas like Phoenix.
Arizona rosewood is highly sensitive to pre-emergent herbicides and will develop foliar chlorosis. So if you or your landscaper regularly apply the “green stuff,” skip planting this in your yard.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding an Arizona rosewood to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your plant healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Arizona rosewood should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 – 10. It is tolerant of desert temperature extremes but can struggle when temperatures get above 110℉. Plants are cold-hardy down to 15℉
Sun Exposure
Arizona rosewood grows best in full sun. It tolerates some reflected sun, but it should not be grown along a west-facing wall in hotter areas such as Phoenix.
Size and Growth Rate
Arizona rosewood is considered a slow to moderate grower. It typically starts slow but picks up speed after a year or so.
Its growth rate is somewhat determined by how much supplemental water it receives. More water means faster growth.
These plants can reach a size of 15 to 20 feet tall by 10 to 15 feet wide. If this sounds too big for the space you have in mind, you can easily keep it a manageable 6 to 8 feet tall and wide with strategic watering and pruning.
Soil
In its native habitat, Arizona rosewood grows in rocky, limestone soil and can be found growing right out of bedrock. It doesn’t like heavy, clay soils and needs soil that is well-drained.
Other Location Considerations
This large dense shrub makes an excellent screen, informal hedge, or windbreak. A row of Arizona rosewood is a great way to hide an unattractive view, soften the look of a cement block wall, or provide privacy.
Arizona Rosewood:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Arizona rosewood |
| Scientific Name | Vauquelinia californica |
| Origin | Sonoran Desert |
| Plant Type | Evergreen shrub |
| USDA Zones | Zones 8 – 10 |
| Cold Hardiness | To 15℉ |
| Flower Color | White |
| Flower Season | Spring |
| Mature Size | 15-20’ high x 10-15’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Slow to moderate |
| Sun Tolerance | Full, part, reflected sun |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Pests & Diseases | Root rot |
| Garden Friendly | No thorns, low litter, non-toxic |
| Wildlife | Attracts bees, birds, butterflies |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any shrub in the desert is to dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Amending the soil is not recommended. Counterintuitively, backfilling with the same native soil you just dug up helps your plant develop a stronger root system.
When to Plant
The best time to plant Arizona rosewood is in the fall. This gives your shrub three seasons to grow roots and get established before the following summer.
The second best time is in spring, the earlier the better. This still gives your plant time to get established before the intense heat of June arrives.
Consider Arizona rosewood as an alternative to oleander,
a non-native shrub with many drawbacks.
How to Care for Arizona Rosewood
Whether you’ve recently planted an Arizona rosewood or have an existing plant in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water
Once you’ve got your Arizona rosewood in the ground, watering is your most immediate concern. Here’s a recommended watering schedule for new shrubs planted in the spring or fall.
| Weeks 1 & 2 | Every 3 – 4 days |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Every 6 – 7 days |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Every 7 – 10 days |
| Weeks 7 & 8 | Every 10 – 14 days |
After week 8, gradually extend the time between waterings. Once established, water once per month. Overwatering can cause root rot and encourage excessive growth.
Should You Fertilize?
Arizona rosewood does not need fertilizer. They get all the nutrients they need from native soil.
How to Prune
Arizona rosewood has an attractive natural shape and no routine pruning is needed, but you may occasionally prune it lightly to maintain a desired size and shape.
While you can grow it as an informal shrub, never shear it. It does respond well to being sheared.
If you don’t like the looks of the persistent dried seeds, you can remove them, but on large specimens this would be an onerous task.
Plant Lover Facts
Arizona rosewood (Vauquelinia californica) is native to Arizona and parts of Mexico. Its species name, californica, refers not to Baja California, a state in Mexico, not the US state of California.
Have you grown this plant?
Was it a “hit” or a “miss” in your garden?
Please share your experience in the comments below!
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
