Extreme temperatures during summer in the Arizona desert make it a challenge for gardeners. June through August are the most extreme months for heat. Your plants may start to yellow or look droopy. Do not add more water to planters if the leaves start to look droopy at the end of the day. Take a look at them in the morning and if they are still drooping, then it is time to increase your watering. Otherwise, the sun, heat and salt in the soil are causing the drooping leaves. You want to water deeply enough for the salt to wash away from the soil but too much water will cause root rot. To help the plants look their best and keep the ground cool and moist, try adding some mulch. Be careful to keep the mulch away from the stems of the plants as much as possible and water your plants in the evening or early morning during the summer.
Another great idea for your plants is to install a patio misting system or greenhouse misting system. Plants on the patio will love the moist air from your patio misting system and it will keep your patio 10-20 degrees cooler. Call Arizona Living Landscape for your next misting system. 480-390-4477
Try these ideas for color around your flower bed from Home Depot. Annuals for summer heat
Showing posts with label Flowers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flowers. Show all posts
Monday, July 19, 2010
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Flowers for Winter Color in Arizona Low Desert
This is the season for flowers in Arizona. Time to plant and enjoy the winter blooms. Below is a short list of my favorites. For a more complete list check out this website: University of Arizona
Calendula or Marigold: They come in orange or yellow colors, can take full sun, easy to grow, get 15-18" high so would be used as a focal point in the center of a bed or in the back, take minimal water, edible, make a good cut flower, attracts butterflies and reseeds. This plant can be planted Sep. through Nov. and will bloom Dec. through May in the Arizona low desert elevations.
Geranium: They come in red, purple, pink, orange, yellow, or white. Geraniums get 12-18" tall, take partial sun, lots of water, and are easy to grow. They can be planted in the Arizona low desert from Sept. through April and will bloom into June.
Pansies: They come in blue, purple, orange, yellow, white, red, and pink. Pansies get 6-12" tall, can be planted in sun to partial sun but will do better when the heat hits in partial sun, have average water needs, are edible, and are easy to grow. Pansies can be planted Oct. through Feb. in the Arizona low Desert and will bloom through April/May depending on weather.
Petunia: They come in blue, purple, yellow, pink and white. Petunias grow 6-18" tall, require a lot of water, are easy to grow, attract butterflies, and are fragrant. They can be planted Sept. through March and will bloom Oct., Nov., March, April, and part of May. They are frost sensitive and will die off with frost and need to be replanted. May survive light frost if covered.
Snapdragon: They come in purple, red, pink, yellow, and white. Snapdragon will grow 6-36" tall. These are the long stalk type flowers you see in the center or back of arrangements. They do best in full sun, average water, easy to grow and make a good cut flower. Snapdragons can be planted Oct. through Feb. and will bloom from Nov. into May.
Sweet Alyssum: These come in white, blue, pink, or easter bonnet. They are low growing and make a very nice border flower. They do well in full sun to partial shade, take quite a bit of water, are easy to grow and have a nice fragrance. They can be planted Oct. through March and will bloom Oct. through May.
For best results and an abundance of foliage and blooms use lots of mulch and a good pre-plant fertilizer like 16-20-0 ammonium phosphate. Water only enough to keep the soil slightly moist or slightly dry. Too much water causes fungi and will kill the plants just as quickly as not enough water. Also remember if the weather calls for a heavy frost or even a light one cover the flowers with a sheet all the way to the ground. This will help to ensure they stay alive and bloom all winter.
Contact a local Landscape Designer
Calendula or Marigold: They come in orange or yellow colors, can take full sun, easy to grow, get 15-18" high so would be used as a focal point in the center of a bed or in the back, take minimal water, edible, make a good cut flower, attracts butterflies and reseeds. This plant can be planted Sep. through Nov. and will bloom Dec. through May in the Arizona low desert elevations.
Geranium: They come in red, purple, pink, orange, yellow, or white. Geraniums get 12-18" tall, take partial sun, lots of water, and are easy to grow. They can be planted in the Arizona low desert from Sept. through April and will bloom into June.
Pansies: They come in blue, purple, orange, yellow, white, red, and pink. Pansies get 6-12" tall, can be planted in sun to partial sun but will do better when the heat hits in partial sun, have average water needs, are edible, and are easy to grow. Pansies can be planted Oct. through Feb. in the Arizona low Desert and will bloom through April/May depending on weather.
Petunia: They come in blue, purple, yellow, pink and white. Petunias grow 6-18" tall, require a lot of water, are easy to grow, attract butterflies, and are fragrant. They can be planted Sept. through March and will bloom Oct., Nov., March, April, and part of May. They are frost sensitive and will die off with frost and need to be replanted. May survive light frost if covered.
Snapdragon: They come in purple, red, pink, yellow, and white. Snapdragon will grow 6-36" tall. These are the long stalk type flowers you see in the center or back of arrangements. They do best in full sun, average water, easy to grow and make a good cut flower. Snapdragons can be planted Oct. through Feb. and will bloom from Nov. into May.
Sweet Alyssum: These come in white, blue, pink, or easter bonnet. They are low growing and make a very nice border flower. They do well in full sun to partial shade, take quite a bit of water, are easy to grow and have a nice fragrance. They can be planted Oct. through March and will bloom Oct. through May.For best results and an abundance of foliage and blooms use lots of mulch and a good pre-plant fertilizer like 16-20-0 ammonium phosphate. Water only enough to keep the soil slightly moist or slightly dry. Too much water causes fungi and will kill the plants just as quickly as not enough water. Also remember if the weather calls for a heavy frost or even a light one cover the flowers with a sheet all the way to the ground. This will help to ensure they stay alive and bloom all winter.
Contact a local Landscape Designer
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Christmas Cactus Bloom Preparation
Time to think about your Christmas Cactus Blooms. Christmas Cacti (Schlumbergera russelliana) will start setting buds to flower in time for the holidays. Apply a phosphorus fertilizer in September to promote the bud development and water well. Each evening place the plant in total darkness for 12-14 hours until early October, if possible. Move the plant in bright light but not direct sun during the day. Water when the top inch of soil dries out. It may take 4-8 weeks to bud.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Planning your Flower Garden
Things to consider when planning your flower garden include light, plant height, water needs and bloom time.
Height: plant the taller plants in the back against the wall. If the planter can be seen from both sides, plant the taller plants in the middle and smaller ones on the outsides.
Light: Most plants need at least eight hours of sunlight to produce flowers. You must determine how much water an area will receive and plant accordingly.
Water Needs: Group plants together with the same water needs to avoid over or under watering.
Time to Bloom: If you determine when and how long each plant will bloom, you can schedule your planting so each section blooms separately for a longer bloom time or scattered blooms throughout the years.
Height: plant the taller plants in the back against the wall. If the planter can be seen from both sides, plant the taller plants in the middle and smaller ones on the outsides.
Light: Most plants need at least eight hours of sunlight to produce flowers. You must determine how much water an area will receive and plant accordingly.
Water Needs: Group plants together with the same water needs to avoid over or under watering.
Time to Bloom: If you determine when and how long each plant will bloom, you can schedule your planting so each section blooms separately for a longer bloom time or scattered blooms throughout the years.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Arizona Desert Summer Flowers
It is difficult to plant flowers with lots of color that will actually survive in the extreme Arizona summer heat. Below are a few that tend to fare well and will work in containers.
Vinca - a summer favorite. These will do well in full sun to partial shade. They need water daily in extreme temperatures and will bloom from spring until frost.
Celosia - this is a flower that I don't have much experience with but plan to plant it this summer. This flower is very hardy and likes the sun. They come in different varieties such as the New Look or China Town.
Portulaca - this is fast growing ground cover type of plant. They love the sun and blooms all over the plant.
Here is a link to a great guide on what to plant and when: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs//garden/az1100.pdf
Contact a licensed Landscaper in Phoenix
Vinca - a summer favorite. These will do well in full sun to partial shade. They need water daily in extreme temperatures and will bloom from spring until frost.
Celosia - this is a flower that I don't have much experience with but plan to plant it this summer. This flower is very hardy and likes the sun. They come in different varieties such as the New Look or China Town.
Portulaca - this is fast growing ground cover type of plant. They love the sun and blooms all over the plant.Here is a link to a great guide on what to plant and when: http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs//garden/az1100.pdf
Contact a licensed Landscaper in Phoenix
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