A Mediterranean evergreen with dense, dark green foliage and a naturally wide, shrubby shape. It is tough, thornless and low-water, and it can be left as a large shrub for screening or trained into a small, multi-trunk tree.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the tree schedule in our Landscape Care guide while it establishes. Once mature it gets by on little water. It needs good drainage, so break through any caliche at planting and avoid spots where water stands.
Pruning
A tree form takes patience. It sends up suckers from the base and along the trunk, and these need regular removal to keep a clean trunk. Light shaping in winter is enough; avoid severe cuts. It also takes formal shearing if you prefer a hedge.
Fruit
Plants are male or female. Females near a male can set small red berries that ripen black and draw birds; fruit is uncommon in most landscapes.
How our designers use it
Evergreen screening
Its dense, wide growth makes a dependable screen along a wall or property line.
A small multi-trunk tree
Trained up, it becomes a sculptural, low-canopy tree for a courtyard or entry, as long as it has room to spread.
Mediterranean gardens
It sits naturally with rosemary, lavender, agaves and fan palms in a Mediterranean-style landscape.
Good to know
Around the pool
Litter is low and there are no thorns, so it works well near water. Give it room to spread so it isn’t constantly cut back from the deck.
