Aloes are stunning succulents native to eastern and southern Africa. Their long-lasting spring flower display attracts hummingbirds, and they come in many forms, including tree forms and small clusters. Their sharp-tipped, reddish-brown leaves have toothed margins. Many species produce offsets. A large variety of aloes are drought-tolerant. Listed below are some of the best outdoor plants for Arizona.
Sunflowers
A good way to grow a large crop of sunflowers is to purchase dwarf varieties. Dwarf sunflower seeds are easily grown indoors or outdoors in one-gallon pots. They need full sun and significant light to thrive. Despite their size, they do not encounter many pests, but they do need to be protected from strong winds. Birds and squirrels are the biggest threats, but they are not as difficult to protect as garden plants.
Depending on where you plan to plant your seeds, sunflowers can be a good choice for your Arizona garden. Dwarf varieties are less than three feet tall, making them perfect for potted plants. Popular varieties include Busy Bee, Fire Catcher, Super Snack, Kong, and Pikes Peak. Aside from dwarf sunflowers, there are also multi-colored varieties. In addition to being easy to grow, sunflowers can be grown in a variety of soils.
Depending on the type of sun and soil conditions in your garden, sunflowers will do well in full sun. They need little water and don’t require special soil. They are great for both landscapes and indoors. The main species plant has orange-yellow petals and a purple or brown disk, but growers have also developed yellow and orange varieties. A sunflower’s bloom will begin in mid-summer and last through early fall.
Angelita Daisy
If you’re looking for a flowering plant that’s hardy in our climate, consider the Angelita Daisy. This small perennial has yellow daisy-like blooms that last throughout the year. It is a good choice for rocky gardens or small spaces, as its blooms are very long-lasting. Angelita daisies do best when grown from seed. They need full sunlight and well-drained soil, and can withstand drought.
The angelita daisy is a hardy little clumping plant that produces clusters of yellow flowers in spring and summer. It grows natively in the Southwest, the Intermountain West, and southern California. This plant is drought-resistant, but will still require a little water to bloom. You can plant it in a sunny border or xeric garden, and it is perfect for Arizona’s dry climate.
Mexican thread grass
The beauty of Mexican thread grass lies in its airy, feathery leaves that sway in the breeze. Its drought-tolerant, deer-resistant nature also makes it ideal for xeriscape gardens. In addition to being drought-tolerant, it also attracts pollinators and bird life to your yard. It is an excellent choice for a rocky xeriscape because it does not require much water and can grow well in rocky soil. The only drawback of this beautiful plant is that it can spread out, so it is best to use an experienced landscaper to control its spread.
This drought-resistant plant does best in full sun and well-drained soil. It does not need much water and needs only supplemental irrigation in periods of drought. Once established, Mexican thread grass can tolerate temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit and is drought-tolerant when mature. Because of its hardiness, it can thrive in hot, dry areas, even in a desert landscape. In addition, it can become invasive if not taken care of properly. Therefore, cut back Mexican feather grass to the ground before the seed heads ripen.
Mexican feather grass is another great plant for Arizona. It grows up to 18 inches tall and has fine-textured, blade-like leaves. Its foliage changes from green to golden yellow in fall. It requires a medium amount of water and can tolerate drought, but it will benefit from a regular irrigation schedule. The best time to water Mexican thread grass is mid-to-late summer or early fall.
Yucca
When planting yucca, it is essential to prepare the soil and plant the root ball twice as deep as the root ball. After preparing the soil, you should add gravel, sand, or organic matter to increase drainage. Once you’re done with this, you can place the root ball in the soil and water it thoroughly. After two weeks, you can plant your yucca tree.
The yucca is low-growing, and grows in clumps of rosettes. The lanceolate leaves grow up to two feet long and begin to twist. The flowering stalk can reach five feet high and produces clusters of bell-shaped white blooms. Yuccas can handle drought, and they’re also highly tolerant of other types of soil. You can choose one that suits your taste and needs.
There are several types of yuccas, each with different characteristics. The rostrada variety grows to 15 feet tall and has massive blue-gray leaves with long, curly filaments on the edges. Both varieties are drought-resistant and can tolerate hot climates. Although they’re easy to grow and maintain, they do benefit from monthly soakings. The best time to plant yuccas is in fall or winter.
Another type of yucca is Soapweed, which has blue-green leaves. It has a unique growth pattern, and blooms from June to July. The Spanish dagger, or beaked yucca, is another variety of yucca. Beaked yuccas have a single trunk. Their foliage is sword-shaped, and the flowers appear from June to July.
Cosmos
In addition to their perennial nature, Cosmos are also excellent cut flowers, especially if you’re in a pinch and don’t want to worry about cutting them all. Cosmos are easy to grow and can tolerate drought and poor soil conditions. Also known as coneflower, they are popular in rock gardens and stone gardens. These perennials grow to about one to five feet tall, with moderate clumping habits. They prefer full sun to partial shade, and regular watering.
Because Cosmos are low maintenance and do not suffer from many pest problems, they are the ideal plant to be placed in containers or in flower beds. You can also grow this plant as a companion plant for other plants in your garden, including flowering herbs and vegetables, to reduce the risk of pest insect imbalance. Cosmos flowers last about seven to ten days, so it’s important to recut them regularly. They should be cut in the morning, when the air contains the most moisture, to minimize wiling.
After the danger of frost has passed, it’s time to plant the Cosmos seedlings. Make sure to choose a sunny location and mix in organic matter to help retain moisture. Plant the Cosmos seeds in a container of soil that is rich in organic matter, such as compost, to increase the chance of germination. When planting the Cosmos seeds, place them 30 to 45 cm (12 to 15 inches) apart. This spacing allows the plants to form support for one another and produce more flowers.
Yarrow
Yarrow is an herbaceous perennial that tolerates a wide range of conditions. This plant has a drought-tolerant root system and can be divided every two years to promote new flowering. In order to maintain a vigorous plant, you should deadhead the flowers after they fade. Divide the plants in the spring or fall to encourage new flowering. After germination, they will require some light.
Yarrow has great wildlife value. Birds use the fern-like foliage as nest material, and it also helps to control parasites. Many other insects, including butterflies, feast on the flowers of yarrow. It is also home to the painted lady butterfly, a beautiful species of butterfly. Yarrow is also drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for gardens in the desert.
This herb is easily propagated from seeds or plants. The best way to grow it is to amend the soil with well-aged compost and a layer of three to four inches of Watters Premium Mulch. The yarrow plant is drought-tolerant, and it will grow well in poor soil. In addition, it can tolerate hot, humid days as well as dry, sandy soils. If you have poor soil, consider using a compost-based garden soil for planting yarrow.
Common yarrow is a perennial plant in the Asteraceae plant family. It is native to Eurasia and temperate zones of Europe. It was first introduced to North America during Colonial times. It has long stalks of flowers that are four times the height of the foliage. This plant also works well in partial shade and makes a lovely addition to a rock garden. There is no other herb like it in the desert!