The new Thornless Grafted Mesquite; worth planting?

Many perennials for the desert love the filtered shade under a native mesquite tree. Herbs also flourish under the mesquite’s canopy. Try unusual herbs besides the traditional. Catmint, related to catnip but minty, Mexican Oregano, and Chocolate Flower are great plants to try. Chives, parsley and basil are standbys that enjoy the filtered shade as well.Not all succulent species like to grow in full sun. Some of the agaves enjoy part or filtered shade, such as found under the canopy of the mesquite. Try the Green Spider Agave or one of the many Agave parryi cultivars. Tucking in some penstemons is always a good thing.View the list »
The native Velvet Mesquite is one of Arizona’s nicest trees. It is long-lived, provides food for wildlife, and adds character to our desert landscaping that says “desert” unlike landscapes in the Phoenix area that don’t know what they want to be. If you have never grilled with mesquite wood, you should try it. This adds a distinctive taste that can’t be rivaled.

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The Thornless Grafted Mesquite, trademarked by Mountain States Wholesale Nursery, is the South American Mesquite grafted onto the rootstock of our native Velvet Mesquite. Hardy in both the Tucson and Green Valley areas, this is an option if you just absolutely need to have a thornless mesquite.

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The theory is that this tree has the fast growing characteristics of the South American Mesquite, but the deep root system of the Velvet Mesquite, reducing the likelihood of the tree blowing over during storms; as the South American species is prone to do.

While having a thornless mesquite is certainly a nice option, there is still the concern that hybrids are crossing with our native mesquites, with the potential of eliminating natives altogether. Losing a species is never a good idea, as there are always consequences to other species unknown at this time.

Reference: Mountain States Wholesale Nursery and Gregg Starr Nursery Plant Info Sheet, 1999.

View the list
  • The native Velvet Mesquite is one of Arizona’s nicest trees. It is long-lived, provides food for wildlife, and adds character to our desert landscaping that says “desert” unlike landscapes in the Phoenix area that don’t know what they want to be. If you have never grilled with mesquite wood, you should try it. This adds a distinctive taste that can’t be rivaled.
  • Not all succulent species like to grow in full sun. Some of the agaves enjoy part or filtered shade, such as found under the canopy of the mesquite. Try the Green Spider Agave or one of the many Agave parryi cultivars. Tucking in some penstemons is always a good thing.
  • Many perennials for the desert love the filtered shade under a native mesquite tree. Herbs also flourish under the mesquite’s canopy. Try unusual herbs besides the traditional. Catmint, related to catnip but minty, Mexican Oregano, and Chocolate Flower are great plants to try. Chives, parsley and basil are standbys that enjoy the filtered shade as well.
View the list

, Tucson Gardening Examiner

This author has lived in Arizona since 1972 and has been gardening for more than 28 years. A landscape architect and certified arborist, Linda teaches classes for everyone in desert plant care for Green Valley Recreation, and provides services in landscape design. Contact her at Linda...

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