What are Annuals, Biennials, and Perennials?

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between Annuals, Biennials, and Perennials?

Annuals: these flowers complete their life cycle (vegetative plant, bloom, setting seed, to death of plant) in one growing season. Most annuals need to be replanted each years but some will re-sow themselved each year. Their seeds are scattered by the wind, etc and pop up the next season. Some examples include Larkspur, cornflower, poppies, desert marigold, canendual, scarlet flax, and Johnny Jump-ups.

Biennials: these plants grow vegetatively in their first year, flower in the second year and typically die after flowering. Arizona has two growing seasons so some of he biennials complete their life cycle in one year.

Perennials: these plants will live more than two years and will bloom each year once established. Some will die back in the off season while others will retain their foliage year round. The off season in Arizona can include the hot summer season and the cold frost in the winter. Many perennials in other parts of the country are considered annuals in Arizona due to the harsh summers or mild winters.

Patio Misting System will Cool you down during summer

It is HOT out there. The only way to continue to truly enjoy your yard in the heat of the summer is to have a professionally installed patio misting system. When properly installed, these patio mist systems can dramatically reduce the temperature in your back yard or anywhere you might need a system. Misting Systems can be installed around your RV, boat, trailer, pool, golf cart, or anywhere you can imagine. Misting systems use very little water (less than half a gallon per hour for each nozzle) and are constructed and installed to last for years. Sure, you can go to a hardware store and pick up a do it yourself kit but you get what you pay for. The key is in the components used and the pump for a true fog effect.

By pressurizing water up to 1000 psi and forcing it through a specially designed mist system nozzle, billions of tiny water droplets can be created. Each droplet is smaller than the size of a grain of salt and are so light they actually suspend themselves in the air. If the water evaporates, it produces cooling up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit making it a very effective method of outdoor cooling. If the droplets are enclosed in an area such as a greenhouse, humidity levels up to 100% may be achieved. Because the droplets are so small, they have the ability to remove small particles from the air making fog systems a very effective method of dust and odor control. Misting Systems can be used within your landscape (mist-scaping) or a fog effect can be created in a pool water feature (Fog Deck). The key to the full effect is in the pump, high-quality materials, and regular maintenance.
Call for a free estimate on a professionally installed patio mist system 480-390-4477

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

Snail Vine - Vigna Caracalla

Snail Vine - Vigna Caracalla (L.) Verdc.

Family: Fabacaea

Recommended Zone - USDA 9-10

Frost Tolerance: In Arizona this plant/Vine will do very well. It will die back with frost but will return in the spring very strong. You can cut it back once the frost hits it.

Sun Exposure: Love full sun and even does well on block walls.

Origin: Central America to tropical South America

Growth Habits: Fast growing perennial vine to 20 feet

Watering Needs: Regular water

Propagation: Seeds, easily by layering in spring

The Snail Vine is a beautiful vine and well worth growing. It generally dies back in winter, doesn't really do well below 50 or 40 degrees. The snail vine is a fast grower and it will catch up the following spring, growing fast when the weather turns warm and twining up everywhere.
The genus is named after Dominico Vigna an Italian botanist of the 17th century. The species is named after the city of Caracas in Venezuela.

Blooming Habits:
Flowers are usually pale purple, possibly with cream or yellow markings. Their shape reminds of a snail.

Germinating Seeds Video

Check out this video on how to germinate seeds.

Container Herb Gardening Video

Arizona Desert June Landscape Tidbits

Before the monsoon gets here it is going to be hot and dry. Your winter flowers should have already been pulled out and replaced with summer friendly plants. Vinca's are a great flower that does really well in the Arizona heat. Fortunately, you can plant almost any time in Arizona but some plants will do better in the summer then others. Check with you local nursery or Landscape Contractor for advice on which plants will do better than others.

When watering your plants, do not water overhead. Apply the water directly to the soil to avoid evaporation, reduce salt build-up, and reduce disease. You can also put several inches of mulch in your garden beds around plants to cool the soil, maintain moisture, reduce watering needs, and control weeds.

Make sure you are maintaining your flowering plants by snipping off the flowers that are dead. Leave as much of the the leaves as possible on the plants to protect the main stems from the hot sun.

Shade your outdoor gardens as much as possible. If you don't have natural shade you can create one with a screen or a trellis of vines. The more shade you provide now will help keep the plants alive for fall.