By Full Curl Landscaping LLC
Designing a beautiful landscape in Southern Utah means working with the desert, not against it. Between scorching summers, limited rainfall, and rocky soil, not every tree can handle this region’s extremes.
At Full Curl Landscaping, we specialize in trees that thrive in our unique climate — offering shade, color, and structure without requiring constant care or heavy watering.
Here are the top 5 trees we recommend for homes in Kanab, Cedar City, and St. George.
🌸 1. Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
Why we love it:
Desert Willow is one of the best all-around trees for Southern Utah. Its trumpet-shaped pink and purple flowers bloom spring through fall, adding vibrant color and attracting hummingbirds.
How to plant:
- Full sun, well-draining soil
- Space 10–20 ft from structures
- Add a gravel mulch ring at the base to help retain moisture
Watering needs:
- Deep water once per week for the first season
- Once established, every 10–14 days is enough
Maintenance:
- Prune lightly in late winter for shape
- Low litter, no major pests or diseases
💡 Bonus: Its roots are non-invasive, making it perfect near patios or driveways.
🍁 2. Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer × freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’)
Why we love it:
Few trees can match the bold red and orange fall color of the Autumn Blaze Maple — and surprisingly, it performs well in Southern Utah when planted right. It grows fast, provides excellent shade, and adds seasonal beauty that most desert trees lack.
How to plant:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Prefers well-drained loamy or sandy soil
- Allow 15–25 ft spacing from other trees and structures
Watering needs:
- Deep soak once per week in the first year
- Every 10–14 days after establishment
Maintenance:
- Light winter pruning to shape canopy
- Apply mulch to retain moisture and protect roots
- Moderate leaf drop in fall — ideal for natural mulch recycling
💡 Pro Tip: Autumn Blaze grows up to 3 feet per year and creates shade quickly — a great fit for new builds or open yards.
🌿 3. Chitalpa (Chitalpa tashkentensis)
Why we love it:
Chitalpa combines the toughness of Desert Willow with the canopy fullness of Catalpa, creating a colorful and hardy hybrid tree. It’s fast-growing, low-litter, and thrives in dry heat.
How to plant:
- Full sun exposure
- Well-draining sandy or rocky soil
- Space 15–20 ft apart
Watering needs:
- Deep water every 7–10 days during summer
- Reduce to every 2–3 weeks in cooler months
Maintenance:
- Minimal pruning, typically in winter
- Strong resistance to pests and wind damage
💡 Bonus: Its trumpet-shaped blooms attract hummingbirds and add tropical color without the water use.
🌾 4. Desert Museum Palo Verde (Parkinsonia hybrid)
Why we love it:
With striking green bark and bright yellow spring flowers, the Desert Museum Palo Verde brings year-round visual interest. It’s one of the most iconic and drought-hardy trees for desert landscapes.
How to plant:
- Full sun only
- Excellent drainage required — avoid clay-heavy soil
- Space 12–20 ft from structures
Watering needs:
- Deep soak every 10–14 days for the first year
- Monthly watering once established
Maintenance:
- Light pruning after flowering
- Naturally pest-resistant and low-litter
💡 Pro Tip: Pair Palo Verde with Desert Spoon or Red Yucca for a bold, sculptural xeriscape combination.
🌲 5. Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis)
Why we love it:
This tree is a hidden gem in Southern Utah. It’s extremely heat-tolerant, offers brilliant red-orange fall color, and develops a symmetrical canopy that provides dense shade.
How to plant:
- Full sun preferred
- Adaptable to most soils, even rocky or alkaline
- Space 15–25 ft apart
Watering needs:
- Deep soak every 7–10 days for the first year
- Monthly watering once established
Maintenance:
- Minimal pruning
- Moderate leaf drop in fall
💡 Bonus: Excellent for patios or turf borders — offers strong shade without invasive roots.
🌤️ Why These Trees Work in Southern Utah
Each of these trees brings a mix of beauty, resilience, and low maintenance, perfectly suited for desert climates.
✅ Low water demand — most need deep watering only twice a month
✅ Drought and heat tolerant
✅ Strong root systems safe for nearby hardscapes
✅ Color and shade through multiple seasons
When planted correctly with proper drip irrigation, these trees can thrive for decades — even in Utah’s toughest conditions.
🌵 The Full Curl Approach
At Full Curl Landscaping, we don’t just install trees — we integrate them into complete designs that balance irrigation, grading, and long-term growth.
We carefully plan:
- Placement for wind and sun exposure
- Integration with Rain Bird irrigation zones
- Soil preparation and drainage improvements for healthy roots
We source locally from trusted nurseries so your trees adapt quickly to the regional soil and climate.
📞 Call us today or visit
to schedule your free landscape design consultation.
Serving Kanab, Cedar City, St. George, and all of Southern Utah.
