Landscape Plants for Arizona

Desert Marigold (Baileya multivariate)

• The desert marigold normally grows 10 to 30 inches tall and produces gorgeous yellow flowers that have an appearance quite similar to the yellow daisy. Although it is considered a short-living perennial, the desert marigold easily reseeds itself and once it begins blooming in March, it will continue to flower throughout the spring and summer, all the way through to November. Drought-tolerant and sun-loving, the desert marigold has an interesting feature in that its leaves are quite hairy. This helps it to keep cool in the desert heat and also aides in reflecting the ultraviolet light from the sun.

Parry's Penstemon (Penstemon parryi)

• An evergreen shrub that grows from 3 to 4 feet in height, the Parry's penstemon produces clusters of 3/4-inch reddish or pink tube-shaped flowers on tall, willow-like stems. Blooming season is February through April. It prefers full sun, but does tolerate filtered shade. A favorite to hummingbirds, the Parry's penstemon is great for rock gardens, but does require good drainage. It is low maintenance, but regular watering during the summer will help enhance the following year's blooms and old flower stalks should be removed after the flowering season is over.

Superstition Mallow (Abutilon palmeri)

• The Superstition mallow is a herbaceous shrub that grows from 3 to 6 feet in height and can spread outward up to 5 feet across. It is easily recognized by its soft, fuzzy-looking, heart-shaped leaves, as well as by the bright orange 1 1/2-blossoms that resemble small cups. It blooms almost year round, first producing flowers in April through May and then again from August until it frosts. The Superstition mallow likes full sun to part shade and once established requires little watering. It is extremely forgiving of heavy pruning and can be cut down to whatever height or shape it needs to be.