Scottsdale Approved Plants
City of Scottsdale ESLO Indigenous Plant List
Every species on Scottsdale's Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance (ESLO) Indigenous Plant List, cross-referenced to Three Timbers' current inventory.
on orders $200+ in the Phoenix Valley
trees, shrubs & flowering plants
we handle city zoning review paperwork too
Call or text 612-214-1955
If you’re landscaping in Scottsdale, this is the only plant list you need.
Scottsdale's ESLO regulates landscaping in Natural Area Open Space (NAOS), hillside, and desert-sensitive areas — mostly North Scottsdale. The city publishes an Indigenous Plant List of Sonoran-Desert-native species that qualify for ESLO revegetation and right-of-way plantings. 38 of Scottsdale's approved species are carried by Three Timbers — organized below using the same growth-form categories city zoning reviewers use.
Every plant below is clickable with current pricing. Free delivery across the Phoenix Valley on orders over $200.
About Scottsdale’s Approved Plant List
| Jurisdiction | City of Scottsdale, AZ |
| Code reference | Zoning Ordinance §6.1070.G — ESLO Indigenous Plant List |
| Area covered (ZIP codes) | 85255, 85262, 85266 (ESLO core); also referenced in 85250, 85251, 85257, 85258, 85259, 85260 |
| ADWR AMA region | Phoenix Active Management Area (ADWR) |
| Source document | Scottsdale ESLO Indigenous Plants (PDF). View the source |
| Three Timbers carries | 38 of Scottsdale’s approved species |
Scottsdale's ESLO list is restricted to plants indigenous to the 1,500 – 3,000+ ft elevation Sonoran Desert. Some species are also protected under the city's Native Plant Ordinance (Chapter 46). If your lot is inside the ESLO boundary, only indigenous species can be planted in NAOS areas.
Jump to a Plant Category
- Approved Trees — 7 plants
- Approved Shrubs — 16 plants
- Approved Cacti, Agaves & Architectural Accents — 10 plants
- Approved Groundcovers & Perennials — 4 plants
- Approved Vines & Ornamental Grasses — 1 plants
- Planting & watering guide
- Want it installed for you?
Trees (7 approved)
Three Timbers picks — best of trees
All city-approved trees (7 species)
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Starting Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet Bubba Desert Willow | Chilopsis linearis | From $31.68 | Shop → |
| Bubbalicious Desert Willow | Chilopsis linearis | From $31.68 | Shop → |
| Chitalpa | Chilopsis linearis | From $31.68 | Shop → |
| Desert Willow | Chilopsis linearis | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Ironwood | Olneya tesota | From $31.68 | Shop → |
| Cottonwood | Populus fremontii | From $74.10 | Shop → |
| Native Mesquite | Prosopis velutina | From $28.16 | Shop → |
Shrubs (16 approved)
Three Timbers picks — best of shrubs
All city-approved shrubs (16 species)
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Starting Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bursage | Ambrosia deltoidea | From $6.60 | Shop → |
| Fairy Duster | Calliandra eriophylla | From $7.48 | Shop → |
| Desert Hackberry | Celtis pallida | From $28.16 | Shop → |
| Desert Spoon | Dasylirion wheeleri | From $8.18 | Shop → |
| Purple Hopseed | Dodonaea viscosa | From $6.90 | Shop → |
| Green Hopseed | Dodonaea viscosa | From $5.54 | Shop → |
| Brittlebush | Encelia farinosa | From $5.54 | Shop → |
| Turpentine Bush | Ericameria laricifolia | From $7.13 | Shop → |
| Flattop Buckwheat | Eriogonum fasciculatum | From $7.48 | Shop → |
| Desert Lavender | Hyptis emoryi | From $6.60 | Shop → |
| Chuparosa - Yellow | Justicia californica | From $20.94 | Shop → |
| Chuparosa - Red | Justicia californica | From $6.60 | Shop → |
| Chuparosa-Orange | Justicia californica | From $5.98 | Shop → |
| Paper Flower | Psilostrophe cooperi | From $19.36 | Shop → |
| Sugar Bush | Rhus ovata | From $25.52 | Shop → |
| Jojoba | Simmondsia chinensis | From $7.57 | Shop → |
Cacti, Agaves & Architectural Accents (10 approved)
Three Timbers picks — best of cacti, agaves & architectural accents
All city-approved cacti, agaves & architectural accents (10 species)
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Starting Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Variegated Murphey's Agave | Agave murpheyi | From $11.44 | Shop → |
| Toothless Murphey's Agave | Agave murpheyi | From $9.24 | Shop → |
| Murphey's Agave | Agave murpheyi | From $9.24 | Shop → |
| Palmer's Agave | Agave palmeri | From $45.76 | Shop → |
| Saguaro | Carnegiea gigantea | — | Shop → |
| Ocotillo - Bareroot | Fouquieria splendens | From $79.20 | Shop → |
| Ocotillo | Fouquieria splendens | From $56.32 | Shop → |
| Engleman's Prickly Pear | Opuntia engelmannii | From $8.80 | Shop → |
| Banana Yucca | Yucca baccata | From $11.09 | Shop → |
| Soaptree Yucca | Yucca elata | From $11.09 | Shop → |
Groundcovers & Perennials (4 approved)
Three Timbers picks — best of groundcovers & perennials
All city-approved groundcovers & perennials (4 species)
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Starting Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Marigold | Baileya multiradiata | From $7.13 | Shop → |
| Blackfoot Daisy | Melampodium leucanthum | From $6.60 | Shop → |
| Parry's Penstemon | Penstemon parryi | From $6.16 | Shop → |
| Canyon Penstemon | Penstemon pseudospectabilis | From $18.92 | Shop → |
Vines & Ornamental Grasses (1 approved)
Three Timbers picks — best of vines & ornamental grasses
All city-approved vines & ornamental grasses (1 species)
| Common Name | Botanical Name | Starting Price | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Three Awn | Aristida purpurea | From $6.42 | Shop → |
Planting & Watering Guide for the Phoenix Valley
Best time to plant
- Trees & shrubs: October through March. Avoid June, July, August.
- Cacti, agaves & ocotillo: April through October. They need warm soil to root in.
- Groundcovers & perennials: Spring (Feb–April) or fall (Sep–Nov).
Watering schedule
- Year 1, summer: Every 3–4 days, deep soak.
- Year 1, winter: Every 10–14 days, light watering.
- After year 1, established: Every 10–14 days in summer, every 3–4 weeks in winter. Cacti, agaves, ocotillo need far less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all these plants approved everywhere in Scottsdale?
These are the species permitted under Scottsdale’s current landscape code. Specific overlay zones, HOA sub-rules, or right-of-way/median contexts may add restrictions. Always check with your Scottsdale zoning reviewer or submit your landscape plan for review before installing.
Does Three Timbers handle the city zoning submittal?
Yes — if you use our professional install service, we handle the city landscape-plan paperwork, plant list, and submittal for you.
How fast can you deliver to Scottsdale?
Same-day or next-day for orders received before 1pm. Free delivery on orders $200+ across the Phoenix Valley.
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 time of delivery.
Want your Scottsdale landscape installed for you?
We’re the only Phoenix Valley online nursery with our own install crew
Three Timbers handles design, plant selection from Scottsdale’s approved palette, city zoning paperwork, delivery, and installation — all in one workflow. Same-day quotes. 30-day plant warranty on every install.
Why Phoenix Valley homeowners choose Three Timbers
Three Timbers is the Phoenix Valley’s only online nursery with our own delivery and install crew. We carry 820+ desert-adapted species, cross-referenced to every major city and HOA approved plant palette — including Scottsdale’s. Browse the full master plant guide to compare across all Phoenix Valley cities and communities, or call 612-214-1955 for a same-day quote.
