Best Shrubs for a West-Facing Backyard (Phoenix Heat Proof Plants That Actually Survive)

Choosing the right plants was one of the most exciting parts of planning our west-facing backyard. There were a lot of factors to consider — heat tolerance, sun exposure, water needs, and zone — and I love digging into research like this. My dad owns a landscape business here in Phoenix, so I grew up around landscape plans and ideas. While he focuses more on the maintenance side, his expertise has definitely rubbed off on me!

Why a West-Facing Yard Is So Challenging

I know most of the landscape plants, trees, and shrubs here in Phoenix from years of research and my upbringing! But for our yard, I wanted something different — a look I talked about a while ago. That meant doing some real digging.

Because our yard is west-facing (meaning we get the hot afternoon sun setting in the west), we have a lot of challenges. The first is HEAT, and the second is reflective heat — and lots of it. We all know what heat is, but it’s a bit different out in Phoenix because it’s so hot and dry. While plants in other regions may wither and wilt, plants in Phoenix burn.

When you add reflective heat (from plants positioned next to hardscapes and walls), it becomes really hard to grow plants and shrubs successfully.

For the most part, we stuck with heat-tolerant and drought-tolerant shrubs and trees because they work best on the west side. These plants conserve the energy needed to grow and stay healthy in extreme conditions. It’s still trial and error, but so far we’ve had great luck with the plants below.

• Dry climate burns plants (not just wilting)
• Afternoon sun = strongest sun
• Reflective heat from walls/pavers
• If you’ve ever watched a plant literally burn in your backyard… you’re not alone

Pro tip: Before you begin researching shrubs and bushes for your yard, figure out which USDA hardiness zone you’re in. You can find that information online in seconds, and it will save you from buying plants that won’t survive your climate.

What to Look for in Shrubs for Extreme Heat

• Drought resistant
• Reflective heat tolerant
• Deep root systems
• Low water once established 

7 Best Shrubs for a West-Facing Backyard

 Iceberg Roses

• Light: Full Sun 
• Zone: 5-9
• Deciduous: YES 
• Water: Regular 

I first saw these beautiful roses on Patina Farm, and it took me almost two years to figure out exactly what they were! I think it took so long because they go by a few different names. I finally found them this year at my local nursery after deciding to plant some roses in the yard.

I’ve heard that roses do great in Phoenix, but our yard is a bit unique because of the position. I planted these this spring and they’ve been doing great so far! We’ll definitely up the water as it heats up. We also added mulch around them to retain moisture and have them on a drip line for consistent watering. I think they’ll do even better over time because two ficus trees nearby will give them some nice afternoon shade.

Best of all, these flowers have a continuous bloom, so you have flowers for most — if not the entire — year!

Little Ollies

• Light: Full Sun 
• Zone: 8-11
• Evergreen: YES
• Water: Once established, water occasionally

If I had to pick a favorite for the yard, Little Ollies would be #1. Why? Because they’re just so stinkin’ pretty and simple — gorgeous to look at with their dual-colored leaves. Once they’re established, they’re practically effortless. Plus, they handle reflective heat really well. I just planted more next to the pool to fill a little bed that was empty after our Japanese boxwood bit the dust. I was really looking forward to those boxwoods, but they couldn’t take the heat — even after they were established in the spring.

They grow in a natural round shape and reach about 3–4 feet, depending on your climate. Ours started as 15-gallon beauties and have almost doubled in size since being planted last year! We have a drip line going to them with a custom watering schedule that adjusts with the weather.

Bay Trees

• Light:Partial to full sun
• Zone: 8-11
• Evergreen: YES
• Water: Once established occasionally

When we planned the yard from a blank slate, I knew I wanted an edible backyard. I wanted it to be beautiful AND useful! I did A LOT of research (hopefully that’s what you’re doing right now), and bay trees kept coming up as a great option for hedging — perfect for hiding our ugly brick wall and giving us privacy from the neighbors.

I was drawn to bay trees because they’re evergreen, heat-tolerant, water-wise once established, drought-resistant, and 100% edible! I thought we were going to lose them during the first summer when we hit 122°F and they got BURNT. But they came back the following spring and have been doing really well since. One side is doing better than the other (mostly because that side gets more shade), but eventually I hope they grow in fully and serve their purpose: hiding the brick wall.

I don’t think you can have a Mediterranean-style yard without some type of lavender — it’s essential! Along with olive trees, lavender gives a yard a soft touch, almost like a delicate paint stroke on a landscape. Ours is a jagged lavender, defined by a bushy fern at the bottom and tall stems of dark purple blooms on top. It does well in rocky, hot soils, so we put a bunch of it in a small raised bed by the pool!

Jagged Lavender

• Light: Full Sun 
• Zone: 9-10
• Evergreen: YES
• Water: Once established Occasionally 

We have two different types of lemon trees in our backyard, and both are doing well! One Meyer and one Eureka tree were planted next to the gate that leads to the garage area. They get plenty of sun throughout the day, and this year we finally have a TON of potential lemons on our Meyer tree! Lemon trees in any variety do well in the heat and thrive in our climate. Going along with the edible backyard theme, these were a perfect option — I mean, who doesn’t love lemons! Books like Love and Lemons feed right into my obsession!

Plus, each year our neighbor brings me an abundance of lemons from her own tree, so I can’t wait to return the favor and gift some to friends and family! Funny thing about this lemon tree: I thought it was dead after the first year! But I cut all the dead ends back, and the next spring it bloomed like crazy. Lemon blossoms covered it, the bees pollinated it, and it turned into a healthy, giving tree.

Meyer and Eureka Lemon Trees

• Light: Full Sun 
• Zone: 8-11
• Evergreen: YES
• Water: Regular watering – weekly

We have two different types of lemon trees in our backyard and both are doing well! One meyer and one eureka tree were planted next to our gate that leads to the garage area. They get plenty of sun throughout the day and this year we finally have a TON of potential lemons on our meyer tree! Lemon trees in any variety do well in the heat and thrive  Going along with the edible backyard theme, these were a perfect option. I mean who doesn’t love lemons! Books like Love and Lemons feeds right into my obsession!

Plus each year our neighbor brings me an abundance of lemons from her own tree so I can’t wait to return the favor and gift some to friends and family! Funny thing about this lemon tree is that I thought it was dead after the first year! But I cut all the dead ends back and the next spring it bloomed like crazy. Lemon blossoms were all over it and the bees pollinate it into a healthy giving tree this year! I can’t wait to show you the harvest! It feels so good to grow something. With help from God of course! 

Star Jasmine

• Light: Full to Partial Sun 
• Zone: 8-11
• Deciduous: YES
• Water: Water regularly – weekly

There’s nothing quite like the smell of blooming star jasmine in the middle of spring. I think the bloom is the first sign of warmer weather here in the valley. I knew I wanted something beautiful climbing our black trellis that my father in law made for us. If you are looking for something similar I love these. Jasmine just like any vine is pretty fast growing so it didn’t take much time for it to climb up the trellis. I want it look a little fuller and then maintain it as a perfect little rectangle when it blooms. It’s going to look great on both sides of the pool. I also have this planted next to the outdoor bbq so I can do this project. It’s going to be so pretty!

Star jasmine does GREAT when it gets a little shade. So I have this one a wall that gets alot of the morning sun and then gets shade during the hottest part of the day. All day heat exposure might be to much for this beauty! 

I’m loving everything we have in our yard so far and plan on adding more in the future! I think I will also give you guys a tour of our small raised garden and the decision to go small and not big! Plus I still have more to share like our trees selection! Hopefully you found this information useful on your own search for shrubs and bushes for your west facing backyard! 

More Plants for A West Facing Backyard

1. Cactus Varieties: Naturally adapted to desert climates, cacti like the Saguaro, Prickly Pear, and Barrel Cactus can withstand the heat without blinking.
2. Agave: With its striking form and minimal water needs, agave plants are perfect for the Phoenix climate. They’re practically designed to survive and thrive in high temperatures.
3. Bougainvillea: Known for its vibrant colors and heat tolerance, Bougainvillea can add a splash of color to any sun-drenched garden. ( Don’t plant near pools. It will be a MESS)
4. Lantana: This hardy plant not only survives but flourishes in the heat, offering colorful blooms that attract butterflies.
5. Aloe Vera: Beyond its medicinal properties, Aloe Vera is a succulent that loves the sun and requires very little water, making it ideal for Phoenix gardens.
6. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens): This bushy plant blooms with lovely purple flowers after rain, and its silver foliage reflects the sun, helping it conserve water. ( Great if you are trying to attract bees! We have them in the front yard)
7. Oleander: While it requires a bit more water than some desert plants, Oleander is heat-tolerant and offers lush, vibrant blooms through the hot months. ( Loved this in tree form. It was so PRETTY! But dangerous if you have pets so we had to dig it up.