Flowers for Arizona Gardens

Perennials

• Perennials are flowers that survive for multiple seasons. The blooming period typically lasts only a few short weeks each year. The Gaillardia flower is an example of a perennial flower and is known as the Indian blanket, similar in appearance to the daisy. It blooms during the summer in one of three warm-toned colors: yellow, orange and crimson. This flower performs well in Arizona's dry environment as it is drought- and heat-tolerant. In addition, the Gaillardia plant self seeds and openly pollinates, which enables natural annual production of this particular flower throughout the garden. Other examples of flowering perennials that would thrive in an Arizona garden include the shasta daisy, Echinacea and spiderwort.

Annuals

• Annual flowers grow from seed to seed and require replanting each year. They bloom and die in just one season, and the blooming period usually lasts from spring through fall. Many annual flowers do well in Arizona provided they are given a bit of extra shade during hotter months. Colorful annuals that would survive the Arizona heat include zinnias, marigolds, cosmos and petunias. Petunias are vibrant shades of violet and have a life span of between nine and 10 months.

Vines

• Vines are a type of plant that climb or trail along surfaces such as an outdoor trellis or fencing system, and some have the ability to produce colorful and fragrant blooms. Heat-tolerant vines that would thrive in an Arizona garden include the corkscrew vine and the Cape honeysuckle vine. The corkscrew vine produces lavender blooms which resemble a snail's shell, and Cape honeysuckle produces orange blooms with long petals that remain in bloom almost year-round.

Shrubs

• Shrubs are extremely drought- and heat-resistant, which makes them an ideal planting choice for water-efficient landscapes. Many shrubs produce beautiful flowers and may also function to provide borders as well as hide unattractive views. Flowering shrubs that thrive in an Arizona garden include the red bird-of-paradise, Baja fairy duster, Green Cloud sage and the Orange Jubilee Tecoma hybrid. All are well suited to survive in a desert environment and in various soil types.