Native & adapted
Green hopseed bush
Dodonaea viscosaDurable native screen shrub with a natural upright form, wildlife value, and excellent reflected-heat tolerance; avoid constant shearing and protect in severe frost pockets.
Right plant, right place
Will Green hopseed bush grow at your Arizona property?
Use the green form for the best drought performance. It can remain a dense informal hedge or be trained into a small treelet.
Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b, Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b.
Light
Sun exposure
Full sun to part shade; handles reflected heat and narrow planting strips.
Water
Irrigation
Low once established. Deep watering every 2–3 weeks in summer is usually sufficient; weekly irrigation produces faster, denser screening growth.
Harvest
How to use it
Not considered edible; evergreen foliage and seeds provide habitat structure for birds and insects.
Choose the actual plant, not only the label
Cultivars & selections
Green and purple hopseed are visually different landscape selections. The green form is generally the safer choice for low-water, high-heat performance.
Green hopseed
Dodonaea viscosaMature size10–15 ft tall × 6–12 ft wide
Best forDurable informal hedges and heat-tolerant screening
The dependable green form has the strongest desert performance and can be trained as a screen or small treelet.
Purple hopseed
Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’Mature size10–15 ft tall × 6–10 ft wide
Best forDark foliage accents in well-managed landscapes
Purple-bronze foliage is dramatic, but plants may need more attentive irrigation and frost protection than the green form.
Planting & stewardship
How to help Green hopseed bush thrive
- 1
Allow enough width for its natural upright screen before choosing a planting distance.
- 2
Water deeply through establishment, then extend intervals between irrigations.
- 3
Prune selectively once or twice a year instead of repeatedly shearing the foliage.
- 4
Mulch the root zone while keeping mulch clear of the main stems.