Welcome to my Virtual Library of Phoenix Landscape Plants containing many of the landscape plants that are most commonly found in managed landscapes of cities and towns in the lower deserts of the American Southwest. I began creating this resource when the Internet first became a reliable tool for scientific communication in the mid 1990s. This landscape plant resource is a "labor of love" that I have compiled from my studies of and experiences with landscape plants across the southern United States as a landscape contractor, nursery operator, University educator, and research scientist. The special focus of this resource is on landscape plants found within the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. This virtual library is a resource, a virtual textbook of sorts, that is freely accessible to all interested in creating and managing sustainable landscapes and landscape gardens.

My passion for landscape plants was set ablaze in 1977 by the late Dr. Henry Orr of Auburn University, a true plantsman, traditional landscape horticulturist, and southern gentleman. Other mentors who have guided me to an appreciation and love for landscape horticulture include Dr. Robert Rice, formerly of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Dr. Harry Ponder, formerly of Auburn University, and Dr. Dewayne Ingram, formerly of the University of Kentucky.

Though there are many individuals who share my passion for landscape plants and with whom I have interacted with over the years, there are a few individuals with whom I share a kindred spirit. I esteem each of them for their love of our life's work and I have gained a deeper appreciation for plants and landscape because of their special insights. They are Dr. John Ruter, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, Dr. Matthew Jenks, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, Paul Kenny CLC, San Luis Obispo, CA, and Cynthia James-Richman, Educator and Landscape Designer, Phoenix, AZ.

This website is dedicated to my grandfather, Chris Martin, who seemingly long ago practiced horticulture in Woodland Hills, California.

Chris A. Martin, Ph.D.,
Professor Emeritus
Arizona State University

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Disclaimer: No warranties or guarantees as to the accuracy of the data and information derived from this web site are expressed or implied. Not responsible for any loss of profit, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of the use of the data and information derived from this web site.