Photos courtesy of Berghoff Design Group
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Arizona offers ample opportunity for vibrant gardens. Unfortunately, the unforgiving heat can make creating a lush, colorful space feel like a battle against nature. The good news is that your landscape can become an oasis that thrives year-round by following the advice of those in the know.
To understand the best ways to approach flower gardening in the Greater Phoenix area, we spoke with Sarah Henriksen, landscape expert with Scottsdale-based Berghoff Design Group / BDG Maintenance, who shared valuable insights into the flowers that flourish in our climate and tips for maintaining a blooming garden throughout the year.
Beating the Heat
Arizona’s scorching summers bring extreme heat and dry conditions that many plants cannot handle. According to Henriksen, the key to selecting flowering flora for the summer months lies in choosing hardy varieties that can withstand high temperatures with minimal water.
“Some of the summer flowers we install include Pentas and Vinca, they are available in multiple colors.” Henriksen says. Another option that performs well in summer is lantana, a hardy flowering shrub known for its ability to tolerate heat and drought. It doesn’t require as much water as many other non-native plants, making it an ideal choice for homeowners looking to conserve water while adding color to their gardens.
The key to keeping flowering plants healthy in Arizona’s heat comes down to proper irrigation and careful maintenance according to experts at Berghoff Design Group Maintenance. “It’s essential that you have someone who understands irrigation and can adjust it based on the needs of the flowers and the microclimate they are planted in,” Henriksen explains. “Flowers can be susceptible to both fungal infections and insect infestations, especially during the warm conditions of summer. Regularly inspecting your flowers for pests and signs of disease can help you catch problems early and keep your garden healthy.”
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Seasonal Flower Replacement
In Arizona, flowers typically need to be replanted seasonally, particularly to adapt to the extreme temperature fluctuations between summer and winter. Henriksen recommends planting summer flowers, such as those previously mentioned in April or May; many will bloom until October. When cooler temperatures approach, the BDG team suggests switching out the summer plants for those better suited to the winter months. This seasonal swap ensures that your garden will remain vibrant year-round.
A Tailored Approach to Garden Design
Every garden is unique, and its design plays a significant role in the choice of flowers. While some homeowners prefer the beauty of a more traditional desert landscape, with succulents and cacti, most prefer to incorporate flowers into their designs. “The vast majority of our clients have flowers incorporated into their landscape design in some aspect, whether in the ground or pots,” she shares.
Her approach is highly collaborative, creating personalized designs that align with each client’s vision. BDG often works with homeowners to determine specific preferences, such as desired colors or the context of an upcoming event. “For example one of our clients is hosting a wedding in her garden so we worked with her to select colors more in line with the wedding colors to add impact and compliment the wedding decor,” Henriksen says.
Sustainability in Flower Design
Sustainability has become increasingly important to homeowners, and many are looking for ways to reduce water consumption in their landscapes. Henriksen emphasizes that the BDG team is mindful of some clients’ desire to reduce water consumption during hot summer months, “If clients are looking to lower their water usage, we may suggest planting flowers in select areas only during the summer, or we may recommend using a more drought tolerant plant such as lantana or other desert blooming plants,” she notes. “This approach allows homeowners to create stunning gardens that align with their sustainability goals.”
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Keeping Up With Trends
In landscape design, trends are constantly evolving. Henriksen has observed a recent growing interest in white gardens. These include flowers and plants blooming in shades of white that offer a sense of tranquility and sometimes evoke a feeling of being transported to another place. BDG’s design and installation at The Global Ambassador Hotel in Phoenix exemplifies this trend. The striking all-white floral arrangement resonates deeply with many of the hotel’s guests, prompting them to seek similar designs for their own gardens. “Many clients appreciate the simplicity and elegance that a monochromatic flower pallet offers, so it is a style we plant at several homes,” says Henriksen.
Addressing Pests and Wildlife
Pests and wildlife can pose significant challenges for homeowners in Arizona, particularly in desert environments where animals like javelina and rabbits are often searching for water or food sources. “Our team will often use multiple strategies to mitigate damage from thirsty wild life. One option is to temporarily fence off an area until the plant is established, ensuring it gets water since some animals tend to dig up plants to get to the water source,” Henriksen suggests.
As previously mentioned, insects and fungi can also affect plant health, especially during summer. Which can be addressed by proactively, using organic and chemical treatments as needed.
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