Pronounciation: CORE-dee-a par-vi-FO-lee-a

Hardiness zones
Sunset 12-13
USDA 9-11

Landscape Use: Large accent shrub (only when in flower), background, screen, filler, large scale bank cover, usually best planted in groups in xeric or desert landscape themes.

Form & Character: Rounded, open, free-spirited, sprawling to unruly, but innocent, slightly recessive, informal.

Growth Habit: Semi-evergreen to evergreen, woody, broadleaf perennial shrub, moderate growth rate sprawling and cascading to 10 feet in height with equal to greater spread.

Foliage/Texture: Very small leaves, olive green, ovate with prominent veins, margins coarsely serrate; medium fine texture.

Flowers & Fruits: White flowers to 1-inch across with revolute margins, fruit inconspicuous.

Seasonal Color: Brilliant white flowers are produced mostly heavily in August and early September, usually at the end of the Arizona summer monsoon. Also flowers during spring. Individaul flowers are short-lived, but contrast well against the open-canopied background of this shrub's foliage and stems.

Temperature: Tolerant

Light: Full sun

Soil: Tolerant of aridity and alkalinity common to Phoenix soils.

Watering: Apply water at least monthly during the summer once established to maintain vigor. Use watering frequency to control growth rate and ultimate size.

Pruning: Head back lightly in later winter to increase canopy density, though this plant will always have an open and airy feel to it. The 'Horticultural clods of Phoenix' (aka 'hort clods') who shear little leaf cordia into submission like every other landscape shrub in Phoenix destroy its subtle nuances.

Propagation: Asexually by stem cutting.

Disease and Pests: None

Additional comments: This is a great, informal medium to large background accent shrub for large landscape spaces. Best used in mass or groups in large landscape areas, planted at 8 to 10 feet on center. It will always have somewhat of an open and airy appearance regardless of watering and pruning, and is resistant to formal training....SO..... DON'T SHEAR THIS PLANT! - it is a landscape non-conformist! Rather, to control size and growth rate, simply water less!