Goodding’s Verbena: Lovely Native Ground Cover
Goodding’s verbena is a perennial ground cover found primarily in Arizona, but it grows across much of the southwest. It has charming lavender flowers and is tougher than it looks. … Read more
Desert Flowers
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.
Chocolate Flower: Smells Like Chocolate!
Chocolate flower is an evergreen perennial that has fragrant yellow flowers that smell like chocolate. Here’s how to grow and care for this southwest native wildflower. Chocolate flower (Berlandiera lyrata) … Read more
Coral Fountain: Fabulous Exotic
Coral fountain is an aptly named cascading perennial that’s truly sensational when in full bloom. It looks straight out of the tropics, yet it does surprisingly well in the desert … Read more
Trailing Lantana: Delightful Lavender Ground Cover
Trailing lantana is an evergreen ground cover that’s blanketed with lavender flowers from spring through winter’s first freeze. In mild winters, it will bloom nonstop all year. Here’s how to … Read more
Gregg’s Mist: Flutters of Butterflies
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: High Impact Ground Cover
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 cultivar of an Australian … Read more
Blanket Flower: Festive, Reliable Bloomer
Blanket flower is a festive hybrid perennial that blooms most of the year in hot, dry gardens. Here’s how to grow and care for this cross between two native wildflowers. … Read more
Madagascar Periwinkle: Top Container Annual
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: Dainty But Tough
Blackfoot daisy is a perennial ground cover that, for much of the year, is smothered in adorable daisy-like flowers. This small plant is much tougher than it looks. Here’s how … Read more
The Easy Way to Grow Desert Wildflowers
If you’ve ever seen a field of desert wildflowers and wish you could capture that beauty in your garden, you can. And it could hardly be easier. Here’s how. Every … Read more
Desert Marigold: Cheerful Nonstop Blooms
Desert marigold may be the perfect wildflower for hot, dry gardens. It’s carefree and blooms all year long with virtually no maintenance. Here’s how to grow and care for this … Read more
‘Dallas Red’ Lantana: Red-Hot Ground Cover
‘Dallas Red’ lantana 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