The genus Pistachio contains some excellent trees and shrubs ideally suited to a dry climate garden, due to their low water requirements, hardiness to pests and disease, and general ease of cultivation and care. Most famous of course is the tree, Pistacia vera, which produces the celebrated Pistachio nut. However a number of other species, while not producing edible fruit, are nonetheless fine ornamentals which associate well with other plants in the garden. Let's start with the Pistache nut.

Pistacia vera is a small tree that grows wild in South-West and Central Asia, in places where the average annual rainfall is around 300mm. This figure constitutes the minimum precipitation that trees require. So in areas which receive 400-500 mm per year, like the Eastern Mediterranean, established plants can be grown without irrigation, although occasional deep watering will improve growth and fruit production. The species is dioecious, meaning that female and male reproductive organs are separated on different individuals. In order to produce fruit therefore, both a male and female tree must be planted near each other.