The Phoenix, Arizona climate and soil does not provide endless options for landscaping with colorful flowering plants, but you can still turn your backyard into a paradise with some of these beautiful suggestions.
Bougainvillea – The best variety for the Phoenix area of this flowering plant is Barbara Karst, with deep pink and violent bouquet that bloom year round. Bougainvilleas withstand heat very well, and their reaction to near freezing temperatures allow them to serve as a good indicator for other tender plants such as plumerias and mangoes.
Hibiscus – These shrubs are ideal for open areas of the yard due to a high tolerance for heat and exposure to sun. Tropical hibiscus comes in a wide variety of colors which allows you an opportunity to create contrast in grassy areas. With the exception of the winter months, hibiscus does well on the same watering schedule as grass, so these plants are perfect for taking the fuss out of maintaining a large area of the yard.
Oleander – This plant is a small tree or shrub is very common in the Phoenix area, but it is important to note that it is one of the most commonly grown garden plants whose parts are all poisonous. Oleanders are typically grown to frame perimeters and used as a windbreak. Its toxicity makes it deer resistant and a good option for areas partial to drought and poor soil.
Texas Sage – This bush is known for its silvery green foliage and brilliant purple flowers. Sage typically blooms in early August especially after a rain. One variety known as Thunder Cloud is highly drought tolerant.
Rose – Believe it or not roses do very well in Phoenix when provided an adequate amount of afternoon shade and water. They tend to be on the same watering schedule as grass which, like the hibiscus, takes fuss out of creating a schedule for sprinklers or irrigation systems. Miniature varieties are far easier to grow in the Arizona climate and despite the cold never go fully dormant. It goes without saying that roses add a touch of class to any landscape and allow a homeowner plenty of options for different colors and styles to tailor your yard to your preferences.
Vinca – This plant blooms most of the year with the exception of winter. It is very popular in Phoenix due to its beautiful pink and purple petals and its ability to survive Arizona winters and desert heat. The best part is, vinca does better in the ground than in pots eliminating any steps to transfer and purchase additional materials to start the plant and change its soil.
Red Yucca – What list of perfect flowering plants for Arizona would be complete without an evergreen desert native? This plant is also sometimes referred to as the hummingbird yucca or redflower false yucca. Its flowers are red and yellow tubular blooms on branching stalks that add warm colors from late spring to mid-summer. They are very popular in high-end California landscape design for their low-maintenance and ability to attract hummingbirds.
So now that we’ve thrown some suggestions at you, it’s time to do a little homework, maybe even start plotting a color scheme. The better suggestion of course: talk to a professional landscape architect at Dream Retreats to find out how to turn a nice yard in the Phoenix area into the envy of the neighborhood and the talk of the town.
Todd Stetka is a Landscape Artist and Blogger for Dream Retreats
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