Fast Growing

These plants put on size quickly once their roots take hold. People pick them for a screen that fills in sooner, quicker shade, or bare ground that needs covering.

Green Hopseed, Orange Jubilee and Yellow Bells are fast shrubs for screens. Chilean Mesquite and Desert Museum Palo Verde are fast shade trees. Mexican Evening Primrose spreads quickly as a ground cover.

Fast growth still starts with the roots. Plant in fall when you can, and give new plants regular deep water through the first summer. After that, stretch out the time between waterings.

What to look for

• How big does it get? A fast plant reaches full size sooner, so check the height and width first. Giving it room to grow means less pruning later.
• How much water will you give it? Extra water speeds growth. Too much makes soft growth on desert trees that monsoon winds can break.
• Can it take frost? Orange Jubilee and Yellow Bells can freeze back in a hard frost and regrow from the roots in spring.
• Is the spot against a hot wall? Look for the Reflected heat badge.