There are many types of plants that grow well in Arizona. Here are five that are commonly found in the area. They include: Casesalpinia, Yarrow, Yucca, and Cosmos. Each of these plants grows best in full sun. Learn more about each of these plants in the next section. You will also find out which ones grow best where you live. Once you’ve chosen your plants, it’s time to plant them!
Yarrow
This drought-tolerant perennial grows well in poor to average soil. It grows up to 30 inches tall and two feet wide and needs little water once established. Planting yarrows in the spring or fall will encourage the blooming of a large number of flowers. While they can tolerate dry soil, they do best when watered regularly. You can divide your yarrow plants in the fall or spring and give them to a friend.
The flowers of yarrow attract ladybugs and butterflies. The Yerces Society, an organization that protects wildlife, recognizes yarrow as one of the best plants for Arizona. This flora is a valuable habitat for native bees, as well as parasitoid and predatory insects. Moreover, its leaves contain alkaloids that make them less edible. Cultivated forms are preferred because they tend to stay shorter and are less likely to lodge.
Achillea millefolium, also known as common yarrow, is a native of North America. It is a favorite of pollinators, is drought-resistant and tolerant, and has an array of uses in the garden. Its showy flower heads can be white or yellow and come in a variety of colors. Its flowers are fragrant and contain many healing properties.
Yucca
The red yucca is a staple of the Phoenix landscape and has recently found its way into Texas and southern California landscapes. Its novel color is much more attractive than its yellow flowers. A number of exciting red cultivars have been developed, including the dazzling red yucca. Read on to learn more about this amazing plant. It is also a wonderful accent plant in a container.
Propagation is easy and inexpensive – most yucca plants are grown from root cuttings. To propagate a yucca plant, you should start in the fall and divide its rhizomes (underground stems) into individual pieces. Cut off a section of at least three inches from the root and soak it in water for a few days. Seedlings should germinate within a month or two. Once a sprout is visible, you can plant it in a pot with well-draining soil.
The Mohave yucca is a variable semisucculent species that grows in thick clusters. The flowers and fruits are edible. The stems and leaves contain chemicals that were used in soap and root beer. The stems and flowers were also harvested for the purpose of livestock deodorant. Yucca texensenses grows in deserts and oak-pine woodlands in the south and central parts of the United States.
Cosmos
Growing a Cosmos plant in Arizona is easy if you follow these tips. Cosmos flowers are drought tolerant, but they do require some watering during dry spells. The soil needs to be regular, although they may sprawl if the soil is too rich in nitrogen. If you want your Cosmos to grow in a container, mix an organic flower fertilizer around them. Despite its drought tolerance, Cosmos plants for Arizona are not particularly susceptible to pests and diseases.
The best time to plant cosmos is early spring or mid-June. Cosmos seed should be planted lightly, just enough to cover the soil. After planting, the soil should be kept moist but not too wet. After planting, water the seedlings sparingly. Overwatering will decrease the number of flowers. In general, Cosmos should be planted in full sun. If possible, plant them at least 2 feet apart.
Cosmos plants for Arizona can range in size, and there are several species to choose from. Despite their tall, slender stems, the flowers have thin leaves dissected into narrow lobes. The flowers are also very attractive. Cosmos flowers can be grown as cut flowers, and they provide a perfect landing pad for butterflies. These are among the most common flowering plants in the world. If you are growing them in your garden, you can expect to enjoy blooms throughout the summer.
Casesalpinia
One of the most beautiful flowers to grow in the desert is the red bird of paradise, or Caesalpinia pulcherrima. This beautiful subtropical shrub is a favorite in low-elevation zones. Its flowers are orange, yellow, or red with red stamens. This plant likes full sun and deep watering. The feathery foliage is attractive to hummingbirds. Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a popular flowering shrub in Arizona because it comes back each year with new leaves.
Native to tropical and subtropical climates, Caesalpinia is an excellent choice for Arizona. It grows up to ten feet in height, with an equal-sized spread. Its foliage has 12 pairs of leaflets and blooms in late spring. Its flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies and are attractive to wildlife. If frost does not affect your location, this is the plant for you.
Another beautiful plant for the Arizona desert is the Desert Globemallow. This hardy perennial attracts native bees. Parry’s Penstemon was named for English botanist Charles C. Parry during the mid-19th century. It is a native spring perennial with 2 to five-foot-high stalks of vibrant pink flowers. It also has bright red flowers in the fall.
Angelita Daisy
The best plants for Arizona are SUNFLOWERS like the ANGELITA DAISY. This low maintenance perennial loves full sun and well-drained soil, and they can tolerate temperatures well below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Angelita daisies don’t require fertilizer, but they should be sheared back every couple of months to keep the flowers looking their best. These hardy plants thrive in reflected, full sun, and can handle drought and poor soil drainage.
The Angelita Daisy is a versatile plant that looks its best in clumps of three or five. It will dress up a lonely boulder or winding pathway. It can be used in combination with other plants in the landscape, such as succulents, Baja fairy duster, firecracker penstemon, and purple prickly pear. The Angelita Daisy is also hardy enough to tolerate dry, hot weather, and can be irrigated very little.
The Angelita Daisy is a flowering perennial that blooms all year long in low desert gardens and colder parts of the Southwest. It looks best when planted in clusters of three or five, and looks its best when placed on 1 foot centers. It grows well in filtered sun, but blooms best in full sun. If it receives enough moisture, it will self-seed in your landscape. Unlike many other plants, this plant does not require fertilizer.
Mesquites
Native to the arid Southwest, mesquites have developed their own unique adaptations to arid conditions. Their woody stems and bipinnately compound leaves are well suited to the arid environment, and their flowers are large, five-petalled, and produce abundant seedpods. Mesquite trees are drought-tolerant, requiring little water, and their deep root systems are excellent hosts for bacteria that fix nitrogen.
Velvet and honey mesquites make excellent trees in a garden. They are an excellent source of habitat for quail and other birds. They also attract a variety of pollinating insects. Mesquites are some of the easiest plants to care for, and they can go months without water and tolerate extremely hot locations. These are one of the best plants for Arizona because of their many benefits.
While cattlemen hate mesquites, they actually provide benefits to the desert. Mesquite trees are multi-trunked and often grow in dry grasslands near streams. Fortunately, there are some great reasons for this. Mesquites provide shelter and shade for wildlife and are a great source of nutrient-rich seed. If you want to learn more about this desert plant, read on.
Despite their name, mesquite trees are hardy desert plants. They have evolved to thrive in these conditions and have become a staple in Southwestern culture. They can live for two centuries. Despite their tough climate requirements, they do need some care and attention. In fact, mesquite trees should be one of the first plants you plant in your landscape. If you’re unsure of the mesquite plant, you can consult the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
