There are many excellent reasons to plant flowers. They make people happy. They add splashes of color that make the garden come alive.
Flowers, especially native ones, are critical for the health of the local ecosystem. Flower nectar and seeds provide food for a wide range of local animals. They attract pollinators — birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects — that keep the chain of life going.
Here at Southwest Gardener you’ll find in-depth information to help you choose and care for flowers — both annuals and perennials — that will thrive in your desert garden.
Trailing lantana is an evergreen ground cover that’s blanketed with lavender flowers from spring through winter’s first freeze. In a mild winter, it will bloom nonstop all year. Here’s how … Read more
Gregg’s mist is a captivating, native perennial that butterflies can’t resist! Here’s everything you need to know about taking care of this butterfly magnet, including the amazing reason butterflies flock … Read more
Outback sunrise emu is an evergreen ground cover that’s blanketed with yellow flowers in the spring. Here’s how to plant and care for this extremely low-maintenance Australian native. Outback sunrise … Read more
Blanket flower is a festive perennial that blooms most of the year in hot, dry gardens. Here’s how to grow and care for this hybrid of two native wildflowers. Blanket … Read more
Madagascar periwinkle is a star-performing container plant available in a rainbow of colors. Here’s how to grow this heat-loving annual in the desert. If you love flowers, but find that … Read more
Blackfoot daisy is a desert native ground cover. It has adorable white flowers and is much tougher than it looks. Here’s how to grow and care for this perennial. Blackfoot … Read more
If you’ve ever seen a field of desert wildflowers and wish you capture that beauty in your garden, you can. And it could hardly be easier. Here’s how. Every spring, … Read more
Desert marigold may be the perfect wildflower for hot, dry gardens. It’s carefree and blooms all year long with almost no maintenance. Here’s how to grow and care for this … Read more
Lantana ‘Dallas Red’ is a desert-adapted ground cover that’s carpeted with fiery red flowers all summer long. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and taking care of this … Read more
Jerusalem sage is an attractive, shrubby perennial with fuzzy green-gray leaves and whorls of yellow flowers. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this desert-adapted shrub. … Read more
Desert milkweed is an attractive, native perennial that is an important host plant for butterflies. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and taking care of this butterfly magnet. … Read more
Baby sun rose is an evergreen ground cover with an abundance of cheerful red flowers. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this delightful perennial. Baby … Read more