Sugar Bush
Rhus ovata
A large Arizona native shrub with orange-red spring blooms, edible fruit, and strong bee appeal.
Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; a chaparral and desert-edge native tolerant of mid-desert frost into the teens and full low-desert heat, evergreen year-round.
AMWUA Notes
A low-water evergreen native that becomes very drought tolerant when mature; provides dense screening and edible, bird-favored fruit.
Care Guide
Low water once established; deep-soak every 2 weeks in summer while young, then wean to occasional water, as it is adapted to chaparral and desert-edge dryness.
Prune lightly to shape or thin in late winter; the dense evergreen naturally forms a rounded screen and can be limbed into a small tree, so heavy shearing is unneeded.
No fertilizer needed in native soil.
Largely pest-free; its leathery evergreen leaves resist most problems.
Evergreen with glossy leaves; clusters of pink-tinged flowers in spring set reddish sticky, edible fruit relished by birds and used for a traditional beverage.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Rocky, well-drained chaparral and desert-edge soils; tolerates caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5.
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
From heat-treated seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.
6 ft
Deep, non-aggressive roots; safe near structures and pools.
Placement Tips
- •A dense 8 ft shrub; space 6 ft apart as an evergreen screen or hedge and prune up for a small specimen tree.
- •Excellent thick year-round privacy screening along walls and property lines.
- •Its moderate fruit and leaf litter suits it slightly back from pool decks.
- •Full sun to light shade; a durable, handsome native for structure and bird food.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Sugar Bush. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Sugar Bush — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Sugar Bush need in Phoenix?
Sugar Bush is a low-water shrub once established. Low water once established; deep-soak every 2 weeks in summer while young, then wean to occasional water, as it is adapted to chaparral and desert-edge dryness. A low-water evergreen native that becomes very drought tolerant when mature; provides dense screening and edible, bird-favored fruit.
How big does Sugar Bush get?
Expect roughly 8 ft tall and 6 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 6 ft of spacing when planting. Deep, non-aggressive roots; safe near structures and pools.
Can you plant Sugar Bush near a pool?
Yes. Sugar Bush is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated moderate.
Can Sugar Bush handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Sugar Bush is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; a chaparral and desert-edge native tolerant of mid-desert frost into the teens and full low-desert heat, evergreen year-round. Evergreen with glossy leaves; clusters of pink-tinged flowers in spring set reddish sticky, edible fruit relished by birds and used for a traditional beverage.
Does Sugar Bush have thorns?
No. Sugar Bush is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Sugar Bush safe around pets?
Sugar Bush is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Sugar Bush bloom in Arizona?
Sugar Bush blooms in spring, with orange-red flowers. The bloom draws bees.
How much maintenance does Sugar Bush need?
Sugar Bush is moderate-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated moderate. Prune lightly to shape or thin in late winter; the dense evergreen naturally forms a rounded screen and can be limbed into a small tree, so heavy shearing is unneeded.
What kind of soil does Sugar Bush need?
Rocky, well-drained chaparral and desert-edge soils; tolerates caliche and alkaline pH 7.5-8.5. Nutrient needs are low. No fertilizer needed in native soil.
Is Sugar Bush native to Arizona?
Yes. Sugar Bush is native to Arizona and to the Southern California, Central Arizona, Baja California, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.