Why this guide exists

Phoenix Valley HOAs enforce strict approved plant palettes — what flies at Verrado can get rejected at Vistancia. Sissoo, Olive, Chilean Mesquite, Italian Cypress, and Mexican Fan Palm are all approved at some HOAs and banned at others. Getting it wrong means rework, fines, and rejected ACC applications.

So we did the homework. Three Timbers pulled the publicly-posted approved plant palettes for 18 Phoenix Valley master-planned communities — from Verrado in Buckeye out to Desert Mountain in Far North Scottsdale — and cross-referenced every entry against our 820-product nursery. The plants below are approved at 5 or more HOAs and carried by Three Timbers. The most universally-approved species (Ironwood, Saguaro, Hopseed, Creosote, Jojoba) hit 17 of 18 HOAs.

Every plant is clickable. Click any plant to see sizes, current pricing, and our 30-day plant warranty. Free Phoenix Valley delivery on orders over $150.

About this guide

Jump to a Plant Category

• Trees — 42 approved species
• Shrubs — 34 approved species
• Cacti, Agaves & Architectural Accents — 41 approved species
• Groundcovers & Perennials — 29 approved species
• Vines & Ornamental Grasses — 16 approved species
• Planting & watering guide
• Want it installed for you?

Trees (42 approved species)

The most universally-approved trees across Phoenix Valley HOAs. Each card shows how many of our 18 communities approve it.

Three Timbers picks — valley-wide hero trees

All cross-HOA approved trees (sorted by HOA count)

Shrubs (34 approved species)

The most universally-approved shrubs across Phoenix Valley HOAs. Each card shows how many of our 18 communities approve it.

Three Timbers picks — valley-wide hero shrubs

All cross-HOA approved shrubs (sorted by HOA count)

Cacti, Agaves & Architectural Accents (41 approved species)

The most universally-approved cacti, agaves & architectural accents across Phoenix Valley HOAs. Each card shows how many of our 18 communities approve it.

Three Timbers picks — valley-wide hero cacti, agaves & architectural accents

All cross-HOA approved cacti, agaves & architectural accents (sorted by HOA count)

Groundcovers & Perennials (29 approved species)

The most universally-approved groundcovers & perennials across Phoenix Valley HOAs. Each card shows how many of our 18 communities approve it.

Three Timbers picks — valley-wide hero groundcovers & perennials

All cross-HOA approved groundcovers & perennials (sorted by HOA count)

Vines & Ornamental Grasses (16 approved species)

The most universally-approved vines & ornamental grasses across Phoenix Valley HOAs. Each card shows how many of our 18 communities approve it.

Three Timbers picks — valley-wide hero vines & ornamental grasses

All cross-HOA approved vines & ornamental grasses (sorted by HOA count)

Planting & Watering Guide for the Phoenix Valley

Best time to plant

Fall (October–November) is the ideal planting window. Soil is still warm for fast root development; air temperatures have dropped enough to reduce transplant stress. Fall-planted trees and shrubs get a 6–8 month root head start before their first summer.

Spring (February–April) is the second window. Plants won’t be as established when 110°F+ days arrive in June, so water aggressively.

Summer planting is high-risk for trees and large shrubs. Hardy desert accents (agave, yucca, cactus) can go in any time of year.

Watering schedule

• Weeks 1–2 after planting: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (20–30 minutes per drip emitter)
• Months 1–3: Every 3–5 days
• Months 4–12: Every 7–10 days during cool months, every 4–6 days during summer peak
• After year 1, established: Every 10–14 days in summer, every 3–4 weeks in winter. Cacti, agaves, and ocotillo need far less.

Pro tip: build a 3–4 inch soil berm around the root zone of every new tree or shrub for the first six months. This directs water down to the roots instead of running off into your gravel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all 162 plants approved at every HOA?

No — each plant is approved at at least 5 of our 18 covered HOAs. The species count column on each table shows how many. The most universally-approved species (Ironwood, Saguaro, Creosote, Hopseed, Jojoba) hit 17 of 18 HOAs — meaning they’re safe almost anywhere in the Phoenix Valley. Always confirm with your specific HOA’s page or design guidelines before planting in a front yard.

What if my HOA isn’t on the list?

The 18 covered HOAs are the biggest master-planned communities with public plant palettes. If your community isn’t listed, this master page is a strong default starting point — most Phoenix Valley HOAs have similar standards. For HOA-specific lists not yet on our site (Sun City Festival, Marley Park, Terravita, Mountain Bridge, Seville, Layton Lakes, Tramonto, Sun City Grand), text us at 612-214-1955 and we’ll help you assemble the right list.

Does Three Timbers handle the ACC submittal for me?

Yes — if you book installation through us, we put together your plant list, prepare a basic site sketch, and submit it for ACC approval on your behalf. Book a free consultation.

How fast can you deliver?

We deliver across the Phoenix Valley Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Free delivery on orders over $150. Most orders ship within a week of placement.

What’s included in the 30-day warranty?

Every tree, shrub, and flowering plant comes with a 30-day replacement guarantee. Cacti, agaves, aloes, ocotillo, and similar slow-growing succulents are warranted only at the time of delivery.

What if a plant is listed as “sold out”?

Our inventory rotates weekly. Text or call 612-214-1955 and we’ll tell you exactly when it’ll be back — or suggest the closest in-stock substitute.

Want your HOA landscape installed for you?

Why Phoenix Valley homeowners choose Three Timbers

• We did the homework. Every plant on this page has been cross-referenced against the published design guidelines of 18 Phoenix Valley HOAs.
• Same-day response. Call or text 612-214-1955 and you’ll hear back the same day.
• Free Phoenix Valley delivery. Every order over $150 ships free.
• 30-day plant warranty. The only Phoenix online nursery that backs trees and shrubs with a real 30-day replacement guarantee — even on installed plants.
• Real local landscape pros. Three Timbers Landscape Services is a local Phoenix install team that knows the design standards of every major HOA in the valley.

Plant pricing and availability current as of the date of publication; inventory updates continuously, so click through to any plant for the latest size options and price.