MVPs (Most Valuable Plants) for Your Landscape
The following plants have earned our MVP (Most Valuable Plant) ranking for providing food, cover and nesting sites for our native birds. All MVPs are Sonoran desert natives that are real workhorses. They provide berries and or seeds for wildlife, are pollinator attractors, can be used for defensive plantings around homes, and more. They are ‘desert survivors’ surviving on rainfall once established. These are all mid-story plants that are often excluded in the landscape, but that play a critical role for wildlife, especially birds. Plant one or several of these MVPs in your yard to get the party started.
Desert Hackberry
(Celtis pallida) Size (HxW) 12’x8’
This dense, evergreen, thorny shrub provides food and shelter to numerous species of birds, insects and other wildlife. It is also great for screening unwanted views or serving as a privacy fence. Abundant orange fruits in the fall are edible by humans and wildlife.
Wolfberry
(Lycium fremontii) Size (HxW) 6’x6’ (dependent on species)
Wolfberry is one of the few winter flowering plants in the desert. The lavender tubular blooms feed hummingbirds and other pollinators. Large, orange berries in the spring provide food to numerous species of birds and animals (including primates – these berries are really tasty and are related to the goji berry). An important source of food and shelter for wildlife. Dense, thorny shrub provides protected nesting spaces.
Catclaw Acacia
(Senegalia greggii) Size (HxW) 10’x15’
Small tree with lots of character. Covered in deliciously scented, cream-colored flowers in spring. Tough, recurved spines makes this an excellent defensive plant for people. Provides food, shelter and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife. Pods are relished by foraging javelina.
Whitethorn Acacia
(Vachellia constricta) Size (HxW) 10’x12’
Deciduous medium shrub to small tree that provides vital habitat and food for many native birds, insects and mammals. Fragrant, yellow, puffball flower displays in spring and late summer. Hosts a variety of insects for insectivores like the verdin, vireos and warblers; seeds are favored by Gambel’s quail. Larval host plant for a variety of butterflies and moths.
Graythorn
(Ziziphus obtusifolia) Size (HxW) 8’x7’
A long branching shrub with stout thorns. Covered in black berries in the spring feasted upon by many species of bird, including phainopepla. Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds. Fruits several times each year in response to rainfall. Very popular with insects and pollinators.