creosote bush
Larrea tridentata
USDA zones7 to 11
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size4 to 8 feet tall4 to 8 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- Yellow
- Foliage color
- Gold/yellow, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) is a shrub for borders, hedges, and low maintenance gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 7, or down to 0°F (-18°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to average, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. You can shear it like boxwood or tip prune it for denser growth. Deer tend to pass it by. Its resinous leaves smell fresh after rain.
Pairs well with Desert willow, Ocotillo, and Desert mallow.
Native range
AZ, CA, NM, NV, and 2 more places. See all 6
AZ, CA, NM, NV, TX, and UT.