Arizona Flowers That Like Direct Sun

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

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

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 (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.