Green Hopseed Bush (Dodonaea viscosa)
Underappreciated in Phoenix, this native Sonoran Desert shrub isn’t flashy with colors but it’s an excellent evergreen privacy screen / understory filler in low-water use landscapes that attracts native pollinators to your gardens.
Mature Canopy Size
10–15 ft tall, 6–12 ft wide (can be pruned as large hedge, small tree, or screen)
Growth Rate
Fast — 2–3 ft per year in youth with irrigation
Water Requirements (Minimum vs. Maximum Growth)
Minimum: Low — drought-tolerant once established, survives on deep watering every 2–3 weeks
For Maximum Growth & Density: Weekly irrigation in summer creates fuller, lusher foliage
Ecological & Functional Benefits
Evergreen screen for privacy and wind protection
Provides habitat for birds and insects
Salt- and drought-tolerant, making it useful in challenging urban spots
Handles reflected heat well
Edible / Harvest Season / Nutritional Benefits
Not edible — ornamental only
Minimum Chill Hours
None — subtropical/arid-adapted, no winter chilling needed
Maintenance Requirements
Low to moderate — prune annually to maintain as hedge, or lightly to shape into small tree form
Relatively clean foliage with little litter
Thorny or Not?
No
Deciduous or Not?
Evergreen
Root System
Fibrous, relatively shallow root system
Non-invasive — safe near walls, fences, patios, and pools
Performs well in narrow strips or tight planting zones
Does best with mulch to keep roots cool in summer
Native Range
Widely distributed across warm arid and subtropical regions worldwide, including the Southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Present in the Sonoran Desert, though not as iconic as mesquites or palo verdes.
Miscellaneous Notes
Green foliage form is more drought-hardy than the purple-leaf cultivar (Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’)
Can be trained into a “treelet” by removing lower branches, or kept dense as hedge/screen
Often used as a native substitute for oleander in xeriscapes
Long-lived, durable, and tolerant of tough urban soils
Questions about the Green Hopseed?
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