If you live in McDowell Mountain Ranch, this is the only plant list you need.

MMR uses the City of Scottsdale's official Indigenous and Desert Appropriate plant lists as its approved palette. Indigenous plants are required for NAOS-adjacent yards.

We pulled McDowell Mountain Ranch's approved plant list and matched it against our nursery catalog. 60 of McDowell Mountain Ranch's approved species are carried by Three Timbers — organized below by category. Every plant is clickable, current pricing visible, all backed by our 30-day plant warranty (where applicable).

About McDowell Mountain Ranch’s Approved Plant List

Jump to a Plant Category

• Approved Groundcovers & Perennials — 60 plants
• Planting & watering guide
• Want it installed for you?

Approved Groundcovers & Perennials (60)

Groundcovers, perennials, and seasonal color plants. 60 options below, all proven in the Arizona heat.

Three Timbers picks — best of McDowell Mountain Ranch's groundcovers & perennials

Full McDowell Mountain Ranch-approved groundcovers & perennials

Planting & Watering Guide for Scottsdale Yards

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, 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Three Timbers handle the McDowell Mountain Ranch 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.

What if a plant I want isn’t on McDowell Mountain Ranch’s approved list?

Don’t plant it in your front yard. The ACC will require its removal. Most "unapproved" plants have an approved substitute — ask us.

How fast can you deliver?

We deliver across the Phoenix Valley Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Free delivery on orders over $150.

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 McDowell Mountain Ranch landscape installed for you?

Why McDowell Mountain Ranch homeowners choose Three Timbers

• We did the homework. Every plant on this page has been cross-referenced against McDowell Mountain Ranch’s official approved plant list.
• Same-day response. Call or text 612-214-1955.
• Free 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.
• Real Phoenix Valley landscape pros. Three Timbers Landscape Services is a local install team.

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