Cascalote - A Rose by Another Name

Photos by Lisa E White

A great choice for xeriscape, or low water use landscaping, is the versatile Cascalote, which can be a small tree or shaped as a bush.   The tree is evergreen and hardy down to 20 degrees.  The leaves are beautiful and feathery. Native to Southern Mexico, Cascalotes adapt perfectly to the Southwestern desert.   Butterflies and hummingbirds love the beautiful yellow orchid-like flowers that bloom in fall and winter -- but every rose has its thorn, and these thorns are serious!!!  We mistakenly allowed the landscaper to plant two trees between our house and the neighbor. Whereas we wanted some vegetation as a separation, the Cascalotes were only ten feet from their son's basketball hoop.   Needless to say, we cut them back, then cut them down completely.  We happen to really like our neighbors!!