As summer approaches, it’s time to change out your winter annual flowers to colorful flowers that can take the heat of the Arizona desert summers.
Even with year-round sunshine, Arizona’s low desert has two distinct growing seasons, a cool season and a warm season. This gives Phoenix area gardeners abundant opportunities for adding interest, scent and color throughout the year. Annuals are an easy and relatively inexpensive way to brighten things up as a focal point in your landscape, in a hanging basket, in pots on the patio or to make a statement at the entrance to your home.
Cool season annuals, referred to as Winter Flowers in Phoenix, give your yard color when you need it the most. Winter flowers are planted in the fall and provide color until May or until temperatures heat up. The most popular winter flowers here are Petunias, Geraniums, Pansies, Cyclamen, Snapdragons, Dianthus and Stock. These plants do well with less intense sunlight and cool nights.
Warm season annuals, referred to as Summer Flowers in Phoenix, can be planted as early as March or April or when they become available at nurseries. They provide interest and color for your landscape. With proper care, they can last well into fall. These plants do well during the more intense sunlight and warmer nights of our summers here in the valley. The most popular summer flowers are Vinca, Angelonia, Pentas, Portulaca, Salvia, Gazania, and Lisianthus.
Annuals are an easy and enjoyable way to liven up your garden. Goodman’s Landscape Maintenance can help you with flower selection and installation.