Choose the Best Heat-Tolerant Annuals for Summer

Everyone loves the beauty and color flowers bring to any landscape. However, those who live in warmer climates might have a hard time growing and maintaining their blooms. Despite the heat, there are numerous plants that are equipped to beat the heat. At Moon Valley Nurseries, we stock several of these heat- and drought-tolerant plants, and our team would be happy to help you choose the best flowers for your garden. Simply let us know your favorite colors, and we'll point you to a plant in our extensive selection. Our team can give you tips for choosing a heat-tolerant perennial, as well as help you maintain your new plant after purchase. We have locations across Arizona and we'd love to tell you more about the benefits of heat-tolerant perennials!

What Makes a Plant Heat-Tolerant?

A plant or flower can be called heat tolerant if it continues to grow and thrive in hot climates. While many plants will wither when the temperature soars, these plants soak up the heat and have no trouble maintaining the processes they need to survive, such as photosynthesis. These plants tend to be better at regulating their own temperatures and require less water to bloom.

Consider These Flowers During Planting Season

Luckily for those of us who live in the heat, there are countless flowers and plants that also thrive in the sun. You can find heat-tolerant annuals in nearly any color and size. Some of our favorite plants that withstand heat include:

• Daylily : Daylilies come in vibrant colors to brighten up your garden. These flowers are resistant to drought conditions and begin to bloom in the early summer months. However, we recommend staying away from ditch lilies as they can overtake your garden.
• Peony: Peonies are a staple of gardens across the United States. These romantic blooms are an excellent substitute for carnations and will survive the summer heat with frequent watering.
• Mandevilla: If you love the look of flowering vines, Mandevilla is for you! This vine can grow up to 20 feet and features lovely flowers in shades of red and pink. If you keep it in a sunny place, Mandevilla can last the winter too.
• Verbena: Verbena is the perfect heat-tolerant plant for containers. In fact, they can grow almost anywhere. Expect beautiful blooms in the late spring.
• Periwinkle: Periwinkles might earn first place when it comes to heat tolerance. Your periwinkle plants will produce gorgeous flowers, even in the hottest summer months. Consider using this flower as a ground cover!
• Scaevola: Scaevola plants produce small purple flowers and often overgrow their container for a cascading appearance. What's more, Scaevola self-cleans and takes care of dead blooms itself. These flowers thrive in Australia, so surviving Arizona temperatures is a walk in the park!
• Black-Eyed Susan: These flowers give the appearance of daisies without needing to worry about how the heat will affect them. Keep in mind that they can grow up to three feet tall, so make sure you have plenty of room for your plant to mature.
• Persian Shield: Perhaps you want something less flowery for your landscape. In that case, Persian shield is an excellent choice that can take on the southern heat. Its shining purple, green, and black leaves are sure to impress!
• Zinnia: Zinnias are ideal for hot climates and are incredibly easy to care for. These multi-colored blooms appear even on the most sweltering summer days.
• Marigold: Add a lovely pop of yellow to your landscape with marigolds. Not only do marigolds work well in the heat, but they also repel all kinds of pests.
• Sunflower: Of course, sunflowers love the sun. Be prepared for these plants to grow extremely tall.
• Petunia: Tiny petunia blooms are a fantastic way to add color to a garden or hanging pot. Picture your favorite color, and chances are you can find a petunia plant that matches.

Caring for Your Heat-Tolerant Perennials

Caring for perennials that like sun and heat isn't a chore! Homeowners throughout the American South keep their blooms lovely all summer long with just a few quick and easy measures. Here are our tips for ensuring your perennials thrive:

• Watering: Of course, your flowers will need watering from time to time. For many plants, we recommend watering every other day. However, you should always check the dirt to see if the plant really needs a drink. If the dirt is bone dry, give your flowers some water. If not, we suggest waiting until the next day.
• Use a Large Container: Heat-tolerant plants often do very well in containers. At Moon Valley Nurseries, we recommend larger containers as they allow for more water and will not dry out as quickly.
• Remove Dead Blooms: Whenever possible, we encourage you to remove any dead or withered blooms. Doing so regularly makes room for new blooms.
• Don't Count on Rain: The Southwest definitely isn't known for frequent rainstorms. As such, you shouldn't count on rainfall to keep your perennials healthy. Instead, opt for the watering techniques we discussed above.
• Do Your Research: Some plants may require different care than others. We always recommend doing a quick Google search on any flowers you plan to purchase.

Ask Our Team for More Tips

Are you interested in learning more about heat-resistant perennials? Our team would be happy to give you more information on these beautiful, low-maintenance plants. With hundreds of plants to choose from and an array of landscape design services, Moon Valley Nurseries is the best place to take care of all your gardening needs. Our team can point you to some of our favorite featured flowers, or we can recommend trees that will withstand the heat. We have locations across the Metro Phoenix area & one in north Tucson, so we're sure to have one near you. Don't want to revamp your garden—get in touch with us today!