Avocado

Frost Tolerance: Suggested for young trees. Mexicola is hardy to 18° F, Zutano 26° F., Jim 24° F., Hass 30° F.

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Origin: There are 3 races, in the western USA Mexican and Guatemalan are grown. Mexican avocados are the most frost resistant

Growth Habits: Evergreen tree

Watering Needs: Water deeply every 2 to 4 weeks, good drainage is key.

Propagation: Many seedlings never produce fruit, and fruit quality is usually lower. Commercially propagated by cleft or veneer grafting, or shield budding.

I planted a young tree of the Mexicola Grande variety on the east side of the house on September 1998. It is the most frost resistant of my avocados (18° F). (image1)
Zutano is my second named variety. I planted it on the west side of the house on September 1998. It is less frost resistant than Mexicola, but still is rated 26° F.
I have also a Hass seedling started in spring 96 and planted in September the same year. Unfortunately most seedlings take a long time to produce (if they ever do - 70% don't).

Culture:
The avocados sunburn very easily. In Phoenix you have a difficult compromise to find between full sun where the young avocado will burn, and light shade where it will grow but won't set fruit. In any case, most of the green part of the stems should be painted with tree paint, or diluted flat latex paint, so as to avoid sunburns.

Links:
California Avocado Commission
California Rare Fruit Grower Avocado Fact Sheet.