| There are so many annuals it would be almost impossible to list them all here, but we do have a few that we think do exceptionally well in the desert Southwest garden: |
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Begonias, Begonia
Very easy to grow, prefers shade in the desert Southwest. Fertilize regularly and keep soil moist. Great plants for containers. |
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Coleus, Solenostemon
Most coleus prefer shade but some will tolerate partial sun. Fast growing annual or indoor plant. Does well in containers or as a shady border plant. Very easy to grow. |
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Coreopsis, Tickseed, Coreopsis
Coreopsis can be either annual or perennial and typically bloom bright yellow, all summer long. Full sun, drought and heat tolerant plant. Self-seeds well. Easy to grow and a great choice for the desert Southwest garden. |
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Cosmos, Cosmos sulphureus
Annual that flowers all summer long. Great as a background for shorter plants. For more blooms, don't fertilize too much or you will have more foliage and fewer flowers. Self-seeds very well. Full sun or partial shade. This is a great new orange variety. |
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Dusty Miller, Senecio cineraria
Great background plant or mixed in with other flowers in a color-bowl arrangement. Soft, fuzzy foliage with clusters of small yellow flowers. Does well in the desert Southwest and prefers full sun. |
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Geranium, Pelargonium
Treated as an annual in areas where it freezes, but as a perennial in others. Does well in containers and prefers partial to full sun for best flowering. Bring pots inside in the winter and return to the patio in the spring if your winters are too cold. |
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Impatiens, Impatiens wallerana
Shade loving annual plants that do very well in pots, hanging baskets and window boxes. They flower from early summer to fall and colors vary widely depending on the variety. Excellent choice for the shady desert garden. |
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Lantana, Lantana
Great plant for hot, dry areas. Usually considered a perennial, but may be an annual if grown in containers where it freezes. Red, yellow, pink or orange flowers adorn the plant all summer long. Excellent plant for the desert Southwest. Lantana and verbina are out most recommended plants! |
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Lobelia, Lobelia
Very nice low growing plant, flowers come in shades of blue, white and pink. In the desert Southwest, it does best in the shade. Prefers cool weather, so plant on the North side or in containers on a cool patio. Great as a border plant or in hanging baskets. |
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Marigolds, Tagetes patula
Great annual flowering plant for the desert Southwest garden. Does best in full sun. Self-seeds very well. Plant near squash to repel squash bugs. Very easy to grow. |
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Moonflower, Datura
Large trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers unfurl in the evening and stay open until the sun rises. Very heat and drought tolerant. Self-seeds well. Poisonous plant, especially the seeds. |
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Moss Rose, Portulaca
Great choice for hot, dry areas. Does well in containers and flowers best in full sun. Many different varieties and colors are available. Heat and drought tolerant plant, great for the desert Southwest garden. |
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Penstemon, Penstemon
Usually a perennial, but can be grown as an annual. Penstemon flowers come in many different colors, this is a white trailing variety. Full to partial sun. |
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Pentas, Pentas lanceolata
One of the best plants for attracting butterflies. Flowers come in shades of white, pink and lavender, blooming all summer long. Good in containers and best in full sun. Also attracts hummingbirds. |
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Petunias, Petunia
Vigorous grower, profusion of flowers from midspring through late fall. Many choices on flower color, even stripes. Cascading petunias are great for hanging baskets. Does best in full sun. You almost can't go wrong planting petunias! |
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Scaevola, Scaevola aemula
Beautiful lavender-blue or white fan-like flowers all summer long. Takes full sun and is great in pots and hanging baskets, keep well watered. Gets about 4 to 9 inches high by about 18 inches wide.
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Snapdragon, Antirrhinum
Plants come in many beautiful colors, heights vary from 1 to 4 feet and they are very easy to grow. Cool season plant, does best in spring and fall. Gently squeeze the sides of the flower to see the "jaws" of a dragon head" open and close. Self-seeds well. Great cut flower. |
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Sunflower, Helianthus annuus
Full sun plant, can be 1 to 12 feet in height, depending on the variety. Flower color ranges too, with many shades of yellow, orange and red. Very easy to grow and attracts butterflies. Drought tolerant. |
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Sweet Potato Vine, Ipomoea batatas
Excellent as a container or hanging basket plant, mixed with other flowers or even on it's own. Leaves come in shades of green or purple. Vigorous grower, thrives in shade or sun. Easy to grow. |
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Verbina, Verbina
Fast growing perennial or annual that does extremely well in the hot, dry heat of the desert Southwest. Grows quickly and spreads well. Great in containers and hanging baskets. Comes in a variety of colors. Verbina and lantana are our most recomended flowering plants for the Southwest garden. |
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Vinca, Catharanthus
Great as a container plant or in mass plantings, Vinca gives a show of pink, lavender, white or red flowers all summer long. Full sun, drought tolerant and easy to grow. Doesn't like it's roots too wet, so allow soil to dry a little between waterings. |
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Zinnias, Zinnia
Fast grower, great as a cut flower and butterflies really love it. Grows very quickly from seed, so no need to buy plants. Full sun. Varieties vary in height, from 1 to 4 feet tall. Keep leaves dry or they may contract powdery mildew, if this happens, spray with a fungicide. |
