Arizona’s desert landscape might seem challenging for flowers, but it’s a prime spot for some of the most beautiful plants. If you know what to plant and how to care for them, your Arizona yard can burst with color even in the intense heat. From bright yellow flowers to colorful flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies, plenty of options will thrive in the desert climate. Whether new to gardening or a seasoned pro, choosing the right plants for Arizona’s unique climate is critical.
In this post, we’ll look at some of Arizona’s best flowers to plant that can handle total exposure to sun, poor soil conditions, and even extreme heat. These flowers aren’t just about beauty—they’re also functional, attracting good insects like butterflies and helping to create a more sustainable ecosystem in your yard. Ready to plant your desert paradise? Let’s get started!
Best Flowers to Plant in Arizona
1. Coreopsis
First, we have Coreopsis, one of Arizona’s best flowers to plant, especially if you love bright yellow flowers that thrive in full sun. These flowers are often called “tickseed” and are loved for their drought tolerance. Whether planted in rock gardens or even window boxes, Coreopsis will bring life and vibrant color to your yard without much water.
Coreopsis does best in well-drained soil and loves plenty of sun exposure—so don’t worry about Arizona’s hot climate! This flowering plant thrives in hot climates and bad soil conditions. Plant them in early spring for a beautiful display until the start of summer. These beautiful flowers will keep returning year after year with very little maintenance required, making them an excellent choice for busy gardeners.
Another bonus? These native plants attract bees and butterflies to your garden, making it a win for nature lovers. Their cheery blooms will brighten your space and contribute to the local ecosystem.
2. Baja Fairy Duster
Next on the list is the Baja Fairy, a small shrub with delicate, red flowers that look like tiny feather dusters. These stunning, drought-resistant plants are native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, so they’re well-suited for the extreme heat. Baja Fairy Dusters thrive in full sun and require very little water, making them ideal for low-maintenance, water-wise landscaping.
The best part about it is its ability to attract hummingbirds. Its tubular flowers are perfect for attracting these beautiful pollinators to your garden and adding a nice pop of color to your space. This plant blooms from late winter through summer, providing your yard with a long season of beauty.
While this shrub is happy with little watering, it does well in well-drained soil, and its delicate, airy foliage adds texture to any landscape design. It’s also great for small spaces or rock gardens where you want to plant something that can handle bad soil conditions. If you’re looking for a plant that provides year-round interest with minimal upkeep and will grow your favorite flowers, this plant is your go-to!
3. Butterfly Weed
If you want to attract pollinators to your lawn with desert plants, you can’t go wrong with Butterfly Weed. As its name suggests, butterflies love this plant, and it’s a magnet for other pollinators like bees. Butterfly Weed produces bright orange or yellow blooms that add a vibrant splash of color to your yard from late spring through early summer.
This attractive plant thrives in full sun and even filtered shade. Butterfly Weed is also drought-resistant, making it one of the best options to plant. Once established, it doesn’t require regular watering. These flowers are perfect for rock gardens and can even be used as cut flowers for indoor arrangements.
Aside from their beauty, Butterfly Weed is also great for restoring native plant populations. Because they’re native to the area, they can thrive in the desert heat and play a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems by attracting beneficial insects. It’s a win for both your garden and the environment.
4. Bearded Iris
For those who love blooms with intricate, shaped flowers and bold colors, the Bearded Iris is a great option for Arizona. Despite its delicate appearance, this flowering plant is incredibly tough and can survive hot climates. Irises come in many colors, but the light shade and full sun varieties tend to perform best.
Bearded Irises are low-maintenance and don’t ask for regular watering. Plant them in the fall to give them time to establish their roots before the full sun exposure of summer hits. They can survive on minimal water, making them great for low-maintenance yards that still want a splash of color in the afternoon shade of the early spring.
In addition to being drought-resistant, Bearded Irises attract bees and other pollinators. Their blooms last several weeks, making excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements. Once the blooms are spent, remove the old ones to encourage new ones to grow.
5. Black-Eyed Susan
Want something bold and cheerful? Black-Eyed Susans are an excellent choice for adding color to your garden. These yellowish flowers with dark centers thrive in full sun and are tolerant of extreme drought once established. If you’re looking for a flower that can easily handle the heat, this is it.
Black-Eyed Susans do best in well-drained soil, so you don’t have to worry about the heavy clay soil ordinary in some parts of Arizona. They can grow up to 3 feet tall in direct sunlight, making them an excellent option for adding height and drama to your landscape. Plus, they attract bees and butterflies, making them pollinator-friendly for any garden.
They bloom from early summer through fall, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy their sunny blooms. Give them a little deep watering during the hottest months, and they’ll reward you with weeks of yellowish flowers.
6. Amaranth
Amaranth is a unique choice for gardeners looking for something a little out of the ordinary. This plant produces large, drooping flower clusters in red, pink, and purple shades, adding a bold statement to your garden. Amaranth is not only ornamental, but it’s also edible! The seeds and leaves are used in cooking, making it beautiful and practical.
Amaranth loves total sun exposure and does well in poor soil conditions, so you don’t have to pamper this plant. It prefers well-drained soils and minimal water, making it one of Arizona’s best choices for drought-tolerant gardens. It’s perfect for garden beds, borders, or even containers, where it can stand tall and proud.
This flower blooms in late summer, giving your garden months of color and texture. You’ll want to give it a spot where it can soak up the sun, and while it’s drought-tolerant, a little supplemental watering during the hottest months will help it thrive. Its dramatic flower heads make excellent dried arrangements so that you can enjoy Amaranth even after the growing season.
7. Angelonia
Angelonia (sometimes called the “summer snapdragon”) is an excellent choice for year-round beauty in Arizonan landscapes. This evergreen perennial blooms throughout the hot summer months with stunning, tubular white flowers, pinks, purples, and blues that can brighten your garden. Angelonia thrives in full sun and well in well-drained soil, making it a perfect plant for the desert.
Angelonia is also tolerant to dry conditions, needing only little watering once established. It performs beautifully in garden beds and containers, making it a versatile addition to any garden. Plant them in early spring to enjoy their blooms from late spring through fall.
The best part? These flowering plants are low-maintenance and require little care beyond pruning spent blooms to encourage more flowering. Hummingbirds and butterflies are also drawn to these colorful flowers, making your garden a lively space full of movement and beauty.
Conclusion
There you have it! These are some of the best flowers to plant in Arizona, perfect for handling the desert heat while still offering vibrant colors and attracting pollinators. Whether you’re looking for drought-tolerant options like Coreopsis or something more exotic like Amaranth, there’s a flower here for every type of garden. With the right mix of full sun, well-drained soil, and occasional watering, you can create a thriving, colorful garden that’s both beautiful and sustainable in your desert yard.
