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InsightHorizon Digest

What are the best flowers to plant in Arizona

Author

Andrew Mccoy

Updated on March 21, 2026

Adenium. Characteristics: Also known as the Desert Rose (Adenium obesum), this blooming perennial succulent grows unusually-shaped thick stems and coloful flowers reminicent of plumeria. … Angelonia. … Bougainvillea. … Bower Vines. … Celosia. … Coreopsis. … Cosmos. … Echinacea.

What flowers survive Arizona heat?

The best heat-tolerant annuals for desert gardeners include zinnia, portulaca, Madagascar periwinkle, celosia, red and blue salvia, dusty miller and cosmos. Some other choices for morning sun only are geranium, gomphrena, dahlias and red salvia.

What flowers grow in full sun in Arizona?

  • Acacia. Source: britannica.com. …
  • Agave. Source: ft.com. …
  • Aloe. Source: .iproperty.com.my. …
  • Caesalpinia (Bird of Paradise) Source: thespruce.com. …
  • Calliandra (Fairy Duster) Source: neelsnursery.com. …
  • Dalea. Source: pinterest.com. …
  • Eremophila. …
  • Leucophyllum (Texas Sage)

What plants do well in the AZ heat?

  • Periwinkle (Vinca) Found in parts of Africa, periwinkle grows low and is often used as ground cover. …
  • Gerber Daisies. Gerber daisies are hardy flowers that won’t wilt when the temperatures soar during Phoenix summers. …
  • Russian Sage. …
  • Sunflowers. …
  • Blue Festuca. …
  • Edelweiss.

What plants are good to plant now in Arizona?

Some cool-season planting includes beet, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, lettuce, onion, pea, potato, radish, spinach and turnip. These are hardy, frost tolerant plants. They can easily be planted in the fall, winter or early spring.

Do marigolds grow in Arizona?

Planting: Marigolds are one of the toughest summer annuals for Arizona and helps deter pests, so they can be added to vegetable plots. Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and 6 inches apart in full sun or partial shade.

What is the Arizona state flower?

State Flower Blossom of the Saguaro Cactus. The pure white waxy blossom of the giant saguaro cactus was designated the state flower of Arizona in 1931. It blooms on the tips of the saguaro cactus during the May and June months.

Do zinnias grow in Arizona?

In the low desert of Arizona: Zinnias bloom from April to November.

What flowers can take hot afternoon sun?

  • Lantana.
  • Lemon Verbena.
  • Cosmos.
  • Marigold.
  • Geranium.
  • Salvia.
  • Sedum.
How do you grow vinca in Arizona?

They prefer well-drained soil in a warm, sunny area. This warm-season annual enjoys regular watering and does best with some fertilizer, but don’t overdo it. I usually apply a slow-release fertilizer when planting and follow up with monthly applications of a liquid fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro.

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What grows well in the shade in Arizona?

Various types of trees, including palm trees, make a great shade addition to a yard, making a big difference in the landscape quickly. A few good options for Phoenix are Indian laurel fig, strawberry tree, Carolina cherry, pindo palm, and sago palm.

What plants grow in Arizona shade?

  • Agave – Quick Silver. “Quick Silver” is Elgin’s All New Agave, exclusive to our nursery. …
  • Aloe – African. (Aloe saponaria) …
  • Aloe – Partridge Breast. (Aloe variegata) …
  • Arabian Jasmine. (Jasminum sambac) …
  • Arabian Jasmine Vine. (Jasminum sambac) …
  • Asian Jasmine. (Trachelospermum asiaticum) …
  • Bayleaf. …
  • Begonia.

Do hydrangeas grow in AZ?

The Oakleaf Hydrangeas will grow best in Arizona’s Hot Desert. This picture is called the “Snow Queen”. It will grow in sun or shade, but the blooms last longer if they get a little afternoon shade in hot climates. … Other forms of Hydrangeas will not do as well as the Oakleaf in the hot and dry Arizona desert.

What can I plant in April in Arizona?

Vegetables to Plant in April – Dill, Cilantro, Watermelon, Summer Squash, Spinach, Scallions, Radishes, Peas (southern), Peanuts, Okra, Melons, Cucumbers, corn, Carrots, Cantaloupe, Beans (snap).

What flowers do well in Arizona winter?

  • Marigold. The yellow and orange shades of the classic marigold offer a friendly smile to neighbors and families when placed in beds in your front yard. …
  • Geranium. …
  • Sweet Alyssum. …
  • Snapdragon. …
  • There’s Nothing Like Phoenix Winter Flowers.

What plants grow well in Arizona winter?

  • Geraniums: They come in red, purple, pink, orange, yellow, or white. …
  • Pansies: They come in blue, purple, orange, yellow, white, red, and pink. …
  • Petunia: They come in blue, purple, yellow, pink and white. …
  • Snapdragon: They come in purple, red, pink, yellow, and white.

What is Arizona's state bird and flower?

Arizona Slogan: “The Grand Canyon State”. The State Motto is: “Ditat Deus” which means: God Enriches. The Arizona State Bird is the Cactus Wren and the State Flower of Arizona is the Saguaro Cactus Flower. The Arizona State Tree is the Palo Verde Tree and the State Mammal is the Ringtail.

What is Arizona's state gemstone?

A gem is a precious stone, that means, it has value. Arizona’s state gem, turquoise, is blue-green stone. It has been used a long, long time in Native American jewelry.

What is the flower of Phoenix?

Arizona State Flower | Saguaro Cactus Blossom.

Should I deadhead marigolds?

Deadheading Marigold Plants Marigolds are annuals and not guaranteed to flower repeatedly. But they can populate your garden beds all summer long simply by regular marigold deadheading. … Removing spent marigold flowers is a process that should continue as long as the plants are in bloom.

What can you not plant with marigolds?

Marigold companion planting enhances the growth of basil, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, gourds, kale, potatoes, squash and tomatoes. Marigold also makes a good companion plant to melons because it deters beetles. Beans and cabbage are listed as bad companion plants for marigolds.

Do Marigold come back every year?

The popular types of marigolds for garden planting are all annuals, sprouting, flowering – and dying in the same year. But they may come back the following year thanks to self-seeding.

What flowers are good in full sun?

  • petunia.
  • ageratum.
  • salvia.
  • moss rose.
  • sunflower.
  • zinnia.
  • marigold.
  • geranium.

What grows well in full sun?

  • Tomatoes. The quintessential summer favorite! …
  • Peppers. Are you spicy or sweet—in your pepper preference, that is? …
  • Cucumbers. Crisp, sweet cucumbers make the perfect refreshing treat in the heat of summer. …
  • Summer Squash. …
  • Melons. …
  • Strawberries. …
  • Peas. …
  • Beans.

What kind of flowers do well in full sun?

Grow some living sunshine with the bright orange blooms of Vigorous Clear Orange SunPatiens, a type of impatiens that thrives in full sun. Purple verbena (V. peruviana EnduraScape Blue) and Cabaret Deep Yellow callibrachoa bring sizzling contrast to this sunny combination.

Can geraniums grow in Arizona?

Geraniums can grow 12-18″ tall. They can be planted in the Arizona low desert from September through April and will bloom into June. … They are great flowers to transplant directly into the garden, larger pots or hanging stations, but also can be grown from seeds (it is recommended to begin indoors when planting seeds).

When should I start my zinnia seeds?

Sow indoors 5-7 weeks before outdoor planting date in spring using a seed starting kit. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed starting formula. Keep the soil moist at 70-75 degrees F. Seedlings emerge in 7-10 days.

Do zinnias need full sun?

Zinnias work fast. … Zinnias’ pointy seeds, shaped like little arrowheads, require only basic garden prep to sprout: sow them in well-drained soil, where there’s full sun and lots of summer heat, and you’ll have tiny seedlings in days, with flowers powering up in just a few weeks.

Will periwinkle grow in Arizona?

For example, periwinkle will naturalize in moist wooded canyons and hillsides at higher elevations of Arizona between 4,000 and 8,000 feet and also in coastal canyons along the Pacific coast.

What cut flowers do best in Heat?

  • Zinnias.
  • Basil.
  • Globe Amaranth.
  • Sunflowers.
  • Celosia.

How do you care for vincas in Arizona?

Full sun is a must for vinca. They love the heat and are one of the most drought-tolerant annuals, although they still need daily watering when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. A word of caution: Plant vinca in pots with loose, well-drained soil. They are prone to root-rot in poorly drained, waterlogged soils.