Gardeners in all areas of Arizona deal with places that get sun most of the day. Finding a plant that stands up to the heat and still produces an abundance of flowers is challenging, but not impossible. Pick a plant that fits your landscaping plan, give it some sun and a little bit of care and watch the plant flourish.
Chocolate flower (Berlandiera lyrata) is a member of the aster family. The plant is a ground cover that grows from 1 to 2 feet tall and about the same in width with oblong leaves that are green on the top and white underneath. The flowers resemble a daisy with yellow petals, a brown center disk and the scent of chocolate. The flowers bloom all summer and are followed by brown seed heads. Plant chocolate flower in full sun or partial shade and a soil that is most and well drained. Butterflies will come for the nectar and birds for the seeds.
Butterfly blue (Scabiosa columbaria) is also known as small scabious and is a member of the sundew family. The plant grows to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide with gray-green, hairy leaves. The lance-shaped base leaves grow from 2 to 6 inches long and the upper leaves are finely divided. The lavender-blue flowers grow to 1 1/2 inches across and bloom from summer until first frost. Plant butterfly blue in full sun and a soil that is moist to dry and well drained. The plant is a favorite of butterflies.
Mt. Lemmon Marigold
Mt. Lemmon marigold (Tagetes lemmonii) is a member of the aster family. The plant is a shrub that grows up to 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide. It produces compound leaves that measure 2 to 3 inches long, and 1-inch golden yellow flowers that resemble a daisy and bloom in the fall and the spring. Plant Mt. Lemmon marigold in full sun or moderate, but not heavy, shade and a soil that is well drained and fertilized.
Bulbine (Bulbine Frutescens) is a member of the lily family. The plant is an evergreen succulent that grows up to 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide with leaves that resemble those of an onion plant reaching 1 to 1 1/2 feet long. The plant produces 10 to 12 flower stalks with small, yellow flowers rising above the leaves from mid-summer through the fall. Plant bulbine in full sun or light shade and a soil that is moist and well drained.