Bear GrassArizona's Best Native Border & Accent Plant Bear Grass Bear Grass (Nolina microcarpa) is the essential low maintenance native accent plant for Phoenix desert landscapes. Its graceful, clumping fountain of fine textured blades adds naturalistic texture and year round green color to any planting thriving on virtually zero water once established. Unlike showier desert plants, Bear Grass works as hard in the background as it does as a featured specimen.

or desert marigold

child-safe plant right against a walkway or pool deck: the spined leaf margins are sharp

South-facing exposure is ideal in Phoenix

It is not as extremely drought-tolerant as native desert trees

or as a spiny barrier row

but be aware Aloe Vera is only lightly frost-tolerant: leaves can show damage below about 28 to 30°F

keep this tree back from walkways

The rocks typically feature a mix of colors

dry regime

and its irregular

Drainage is critical for this species

A single specimen in a wide ceramic pot makes a bold statement on a Scottsdale patio or Tempe courtyard entry