Color Your Landscape Early

Add Some Color to Your Landscape

When we think of southwestern plant life, we often picture cacti and agave. While both of these options make incredible additions to any garden, they don't often add very much color to the landscape. Too often, people who live in hot climates worry that they won't be able to keep brightly-colored flowers, even during the rainless summer months. Moon Valley Nurseries is here to say that you actually have numerous options when it comes to adding color to your landscape. We specialize in heat-tolerant plants for Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, and Florida gardens, and we'd be happy to help you find the perfect additions to your landscape.

Colorful Plants that Bloom in the Heat

What's your favorite color? No matter your answer, Moon Valley Nurseries can help you find a perennial that meets your preferences. And you'll rarely have to compromise heat resistance for color! You have plenty of options for adding some colorful flair to your landscape. Here are a few (drought-tolerant) ideas for getting started on your garden this year?

Gaillardia

Gaillardia, or blanket flower, is a heat-resistant bloom active from June all the way through September. They look a bit like daisies but come in a wider range of colors, including soft yellow, dusty red, and rich maroon. If you decide to plant lots of gaillardias, you might find that your landscape begins to resemble a traditional Native American blanket (hence the nickname)!

Coneflower

Coneflowers are common wildflowers that you typically find along country roads. However, they also make an incredible addition to a home garden. They're known for being drought-resistant and come in a range of bright, warm colors. Choose from blooms in these shades:

• Red
• Gold
• Purple
• Pink
• Coral
• Orange
• Yellow

Salvia

Salvia is a common addition to any list of heat-resistant perennials. These blossoms are low maintenance and have few problems in hot, drought-like conditions. What's more, salvia attracts pollinators and comes in a spectrum of colors, including pink, lavender, and blue.

Bearded Iris

This beautiful flower is relatively easy to grow and adds flair to your garden in nearly any color. The bearded iris enjoys direct sunlight but doesn't always do well in extreme heat. While our desert-dwelling friends may not want to plant a bearded iris outdoors, our Florida customers might enjoy plenty of blossoms from this sun-loving flower.

Egyptian Star Cluster

Egyptian star cluster is an early-summer bloom that will last through the hot months. This beautiful pink flower opens into unique star shapes and can grow up to three feet. Not only does Egyptian star cluster bring color and beauty, but it also attracts wildlife such as butterflies and hummingbirds.

Butterfly Weed

Don't let the name fool you—butterfly weed definitely won't look like a nuisance in your garden! This perennial blooms in stunning shades of yellow and orange and grows up to three feet tall. You'll see the most growth in June, July, and August, making butterfly weed an excellent plant for late in the season. Plus, this perennial promotes a healthy ecosystem, attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees.

Yarrow

Another dry-climate hall-of-famer, yarrow is a fantastic choice for Southwestern gardens. This plant brings a pop of yellow, orange, or gold to a desert landscape. Yarrow thrives in high heat and poor soil, and the news is that once your plant is established, it's virtually impossible to kill!

Zinnia

Zinnias make the perfect addition to any flower bed, no matter how hot the summers get. These flowers have sturdy stems and roots, and they can stand up to elements, particularly strong winds. And, of course, your zinnias will easily survive hot temperatures. Some plants only grow about a foot, while others can span up to five. Choose from a rainbow of zinnia colors:

• Rose pink
• Bright red
• Royal purple
• Hot orange
• Soft lavender
• Pure white

Daylily

If you're looking for a flower than loves sunbathing, daylily was meant for you. These perennials are drought-resistant and love the summer sun. You can expect a crop of daylilies to sprout in the early-to-mid summer and bring you lovely colors all season long. And more good news—these flowers come in nearly any color you could want!

Cosmos

Cosmos add some whimsy to any landscape. These small, heat-loving flowers thrive in hardiness zones 2 through 11 and continue to bloom throughout the summer. They grow unabated during sweltering conditions, and you'll enjoy their gorgeous white, pink, and purple blossoms. If you let their seeds fall onto the ground, you'll be set up for a new set of cosmos next summer!

Lantana

Lantana is a common recommendation for hot climates, and for good reason! These vibrant blossoms come in everything from an understated yellow to a vivid pink. Lantana begins to emerge in July and continues to blossom until the fall. While this plant only grows to about a foot in height, it packs a punch when it comes to color.

Coreopsis

If you love a lively shade of yellow, the coreopsis plant could be for you! This reliable flower loves hot, dry conditions and well-drained soil. In addition to yellow, you'll also find coreopsis in stunning shades of orange, pink, white, and red.

Colorful Succulents

A staple of any Southwestern garden, succulents are always a good way to go. They rarely need water and can thrive in hot conditions. Most of the time, we picture succulents in shades of green. Nevertheless, you'll find these hardy plants in a variety of colors, even if they're not always as vibrant as flowers. At Moon Valley Nurseries, you'll find succulents with a pop of color, including:

• Purple queen aeonium
• Kalanchoe
• Coral aloe
• Gopher plant
• Hearts and flowers
• Ice plant
• Red hot poker aloe

We Make Cultivating a Garden a Breeze

Whether you're dealing with the desert heat of Arizona or tropical Florida weather, Moon Valley Nurseries is here to help you cultivate a beautiful garden. Over the years, we've served countless clients with different goals for their landscapes. If color is your top priority, we have you covered. But if you prefer something more monochrome, we can accommodate you as well. Our customers across the American Southwest and Florida are welcome to all of these landscaping services:

• Tree maintenance
• Landscape design services
• Professional planting services
• Fertilizer
• Tree rental

Stop by Our Plant and Tree Nursery Today

Adding color to your Southwestern garden doesn't have to be a challenge. When you know the right plants to look for, gardening becomes easy as pie! If you need some help choosing the right plants or maintaining the ones you have, get in touch with Moon Valley Nurseries. We offer a slew of services to ensure your garden is beautiful and thriving throughout the spring and summer months.