If you’re looking for flowers that thrive in arid climates, you can’t go wrong with a tropical mandevilla. This gorgeous vine requires full sun and blooms profusely from spring to fall. To grow, choose a well-drained soil, water only when dry, and provide support for your mandevilla vine. You can even wire it for support. If you’re thinking about trying this tropical plant, it is perennial in USDA zones 10 and 11.
Angelita Daisy
If you’re looking for an annual that’s versatile enough to survive the desert heat, consider this perennial. Its white tubular flowers can range from purple to pink, and its foliage is both thornless and attractive. It also looks great when paired with gray-leaved shrubs. The best thing about this plant is that it’s adapted well to varying levels of rainfall, so you can expect it to look great even with low watering during extended hot and dry periods. The Angelita Daisy is one of the few perennials that’ll provide you with year-round color in the low desert.
Angelita Daisy: As the name suggests, this perennial is native to the Southwestern United States and grows best in full sun and low desert. While it thrives in USDA climate zones 5 and below, it also grows well in higher climates. Angelita daisies are drought-tolerant and can handle temperatures down to -20 degrees F, but they prefer full sun. The Angelita Daisy is best planted in groups of three or five, as it will look best grouped together.
The Angelita Daisy has low maintenance needs. A well-drained soil, full sun, and adequate water are all it needs. They do not need fertilizer, but do benefit from supplemental water. It looks best when planted on 1 foot centers. Angelita Daisy does best in full sun and needs adequate moisture. The Angelita Daisy will not cause your landscape to deteriorate, but it will seed if it receives insufficient moisture.
Texas Sage
In spite of its name, this perennial shrub can withstand temperatures as low as ten degrees Fahrenheit. Its hardiness also makes it the ideal plant for hot, dry desert conditions. Its pale green leaves are not very showy but the vibrant lavender or white flowers appear on each stem during the summer. The blooms last through the fall. This plant can grow up to three feet tall and can serve as an attractive backdrop to a desert garden or privacy screen. Its shape and texture make it ideal as a natural border around a pool or garden, or even as an outline around a dry river bed.
Native to the southwestern United States, Texas sage requires low water requirements and thrives in Arizona. It can tolerate full sun, reflected sunlight, and temperatures as low as ten degrees Fahrenheit. This shrub is an excellent hedge plant and attracts birds to its area. The plant doesn’t require any pruning if grown properly, although selective pruning is recommended for shaping purposes. Once established, Texas sage does not need much care.
Yellow Bells
A perennial in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11, Yellow Bells thrives in full sun or partial shade. They grow faster in full sun, but they do not bloom as large or lush as those in full shade. While they tolerate a variety of soil conditions, they prefer rich, moist soil that drains well. If you don’t have access to a garden hose, compost can improve the soil’s drainage and provide important nutrients.
A perennial in zones eight to 11, Yellow Bells bloom from spring to fall. In cooler climates, they can be grown as an annual. They attract hummingbirds and other beneficial insects. Despite its heat and drought tolerance, this shrub can also tolerate high levels of humidity. If you grow your Yellow Bells in full sun, they will tolerate up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. For added beauty, they make an excellent accent plant.
In full sun, Yellow Bells are drought-tolerant once established. Once established, they need little to moderate water. They thrive in full sun or partial shade. They also tolerate the reflected heat from concrete and asphalt. They are an excellent choice for lush courtyards. For winter color, prune them after blooming to produce fresh growth. Yellow Bells also attract hummingbirds, which are a bonus.
Madagascar Periwinkle
The plant is native to Madagascar, and grows up to one metre tall. Its flowers are five-petalled and have a latex-like sap. It is native to Madagascar, and has been extensively bred for horticultural use. The plant grows in pairs in a sunny spot and will bloom from spring to autumn. If you want to grow periwinkles, be sure to follow the care instructions carefully to ensure a long-lived plant.
This perennial is hardy and easy to grow in a sandy soil. It does not require dead flowers or a watering regimen. The plant is native to Madagascar, but has been bred for over a century. Originally, this plant only had two colors, but breeders have improved its diversity. Newer varieties have improved disease and heat resistance, and don’t require dead flowers or pruning.
This fast-growing plant has flowers similar to impatiens, but has a narrow tube and five petals. The flowers are the bluest you’ll find in any plant. This plant has been used to treat cancer. While it prefers shade, it grows well in sunny locations, too. Madagascar periwinkle is an ideal plant for sun and shade. It is fast-growing and has a variety of flower colors to choose from.
Zinnias
One of the easiest to grow and maintain warm-season accent bedding plants in the Phoenix area are zinnias. With their vibrant colors and tender, festive nature, zinnias are great for both indoor and outdoor gardens. The herbaceous annual grows to a height of 18 to 30 inches. Leaves are medium to fine, and the flowers are a vivid white to red. Fruits are small, inconspicuous, and terminal.
Zinnias are native to Mexico and grow well from seed. They thrive in dry, hot climates. They make excellent cut flowers and require no pruning. Zinnias range in size from dwarf plants that grow to cutting types that grow up to three feet tall. Growing zinnias is easy, and they do not need much space. Once they’re established, simply sow seeds every few weeks or sow more plants.
Plants that tolerate the desert heat are a good choice for any yard or garden. While they do best in full sun, they can tolerate part-shade. If they get too much water, weeds can sprout. This is not a problem for zinnias because they are drought-tolerant. You can even find some zinnias that thrive in partial shade.
Geraniums
One of the most common questions asked by gardeners is, “What are the best plants for desert heat?” The answer is actually quite simple. Geraniums need at least five to six hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive. During their growing season, they can tolerate temperatures as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure a successful transplant, you should plant your geraniums in pots that drain well. You should also choose a spot that receives a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Geraniums can be planted in pots or the ground. Make sure you leave about 10 to 12 inches between each plant. After planting, make sure you remove dead flowers and leaves from your geraniums. They are also susceptible to fungal diseases, and you should avoid over-watering them. Over-watering can result in root rot or edema. In addition, cut off the blooms of geraniums once they begin to fade. Deadheading is another essential aspect of geranium care.
You can grow geraniums in a low-water garden in the San Francisco Bay Area. They will tolerate daytime temperatures in the mid-80s. You can plant them next to Old Roses, bearded iris, and pinks, as they provide shade and help maintain a cool temperature. To prevent evaporation, cover the soil with at least 5 inches of mulch.
Asters
Aromatic asters are perennials that are native to eastern and central North America. These flowering plants have yellow or purple flowers that attract a variety of insects, including mining bees and monarch butterflies during migration. They are also a host plant for the pearl crescent butterfly. Regardless of their native climate, asters will thrive in desert gardens. A few of the reasons they are excellent for the desert include their drought tolerance and ability to tolerate partial shade.
New England asters are a great addition to the rain garden or naturalized area. These perennials grow one to three feet tall and cover the ground with fragrant flowers. During the growing season, cut back stems to promote bushy growth. They can grow as tall as three feet, so plant tall ones in the back of your flower bed. You can prune tall asters early in the summer to encourage branching and more blooms.
If you want to reduce the amount of water your asters need to survive, you can prune them back to ground level. Once they’ve produced a few flower buds, asters make a great winter groundcover and are also easy to divide. Cutbacks should be completed by July so that the buds can set in the soil. If you’d like more flowers, you can also divide them and plant them in groups.