Outdoor Dream Builders

ROC #343460

treeArizona NativePet Friendly

Ironwood

Olneya tesota

A keystone species of the Sonoran Desert, treasured for its dusty lavender blooms and extraordinary longevity.

Care Guide

💧Watering

Once established, water deeply once a month. Extremely drought tolerant and overwatering can cause root rot.

✂️Pruning

Minimal pruning needed. Remove dead branches in late winter. Natural form is attractive.

🌱Fertilizing

No fertilizer needed. Nitrogen-fixing legume tree.

🛡️Pests

Very few pest issues. Occasionally affected by leaf-footed bugs.

☀️Seasonal Notes

Beautiful lavender blooms in May. Evergreen to semi-evergreen.

Features

Keystone Sonoran speciesDusty lavender bloomsSupports birds and wildlifeExtremely long-lived

Best Uses

Specimen treeWildlife habitatDesert garden

Ecological Value

Wildlife Value

birds

Companion Plants

tree

Native

Velvet Mesquite

Prosopis velutina

A quintessential Sonoran Desert shade tree with soft velvety foliage and deep roots that support a thriving wildlife community.

Very Low Waterfull sun

cactus

Native

Saguaro

Carnegiea gigantea

The towering icon of the Sonoran Desert, providing critical habitat for birds and nocturnal pollinators alike.

High Waterfull sun

accent

Native

Ocotillo

Fouquieria splendens

An unmistakable desert icon whose thorny canes erupt with fiery red-orange blooms that hummingbirds cannot resist.

Very Low Waterfull sun

succulent

Native

Century Plant

Agave americana

Bold architectural succulent that makes a dramatic statement in any landscape.

Very Low Waterfull sun

perennial

Native

Desert Marigold

Baileya multiradiata

A cheerful Southwestern native that blankets the landscape with sunny yellow daisies nearly every month of the year.

High Waterfull sunPool Safe

Quick Stats

Water NeedsVery Low (Xeric)

Sun Exposurefull sun

Mature Size25 ft H × 25 ft W

Growth Ratemoderate

Maintenancemoderate

HardinessUSDA 9-11

Bloom SeasonLate Spring

Bloom ColorDusty Lavender

Litter Levelseasonal

Thornsmedium

Native RegionSonoran Desert

Design Styles

native habitat desert modern low maintenance

Include in Your Project

Love Ironwood? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.

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Use this care guide to maintain your Ironwood. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.

Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.