We’ll discuss four stunning flower species that can endure and flourish during the mild winters in Arizona. In other areas of the country, these beautiful blooms are often thought of as summer flowers, but in Scottsdale, where our winters are mild and our sunshine is plentiful, these colorful flowers prefer autumn and winter settings.
Winter flowering is greatly dependent on soil preparation and care during the early phases of planting. Find out which months are best for planting these flowers by reading on.
1. There are seven different color variants of pansies, including blue, purple, orange, yellow, white, red, and pink. Pansies are hardy annuals. Pansies grow 6 to 12 tall and prefer cooler weather and sunlight. Although they are fairly simple to cultivate and edible, they have moderate water requirements.
In the low desert of Arizona, pansies can be planted from October through February. Depending on the weather, they will bloom until April or May. Plant seeds in the summer for winter blossoming or in the late winter for early spring and summer flowering.
2. Traditional Geraniums do well in warm climates and tolerate dryness, but they still need frequent watering for the finest blooming. They provide vibrant leaves in red, purple, pink, orange, yellow, or white variants.
Geraniums can reach heights of 12 to 18 inches. They can be planted in the low desert of Arizona between September and April, and they will bloom until June.
3. Taller, stalked flowers in the purple, red, pink, yellow, and white colors are known as snapdragons. They are extremely low-maintenance flowers that don’t need deadheading, although regular pruning can lengthen their already lengthy bloom times.
They can be planted from October through February for the best blooming season, and they will bloom from November through May.
4. Any species of Petunia will thrive in the Arizona winter, although because to the sporadic overnight frosts we have in December and January, some species may die off. They make excellent transplanted flowers for gardens, larger pots, or hanging baskets, but they can also be produced from seeds (it is recommended to begin indoors when planting seeds).
They have a lovely fragrance smell and need frequent care, although they bloom for around five months. Petunias range from deep violet to yellow and are available in practically every color of the spectrum.
The exterior of any Scottsdale property can be made more charming and beautiful by planting flowers. Visit our Blog if you’re looking for further suggestions for updating and renovating your Scottsdale property. On the website’s home page, you can also sign up to receive our blog postings by email.
Can geraniums withstand Phoenix’s summertime heat?
Geraniums are typically grown as annuals to be enjoyed for a few months in the spring and fall, despite the fact that they are considered perennials. Although they can be kept throughout the summer, our sweltering desert heat typically makes them weak and flowerless until the fall, when cooler weather sets in.
How soon may geraniums be planted?
Wish your life had a little more carefree beauty? Plant some geraniums, maybe. Geraniums are beautiful and low-maintenance plants that belong in planters, planting beds, and perennial borders.
Geraniums can be divided into two major groups. Zonal, fancy-leaf, ivy, perfumed, and Martha Washington (or regal) varieties of annual geraniums (Pelargonium species), which often only live for a year, are some examples. Perennial geraniums (Geranium species), which bloom continually from spring to summer, combine striking foliage with attractive blooms that emerge intermittently or continuously.
Where to Plant Geraniums
You must be aware of the type of geraniums you have in order to select the ideal planting location. With the exception of the ivy geranium, which thrives in mild shade, most annual geraniums require a location in full sun. On the other hand, depending on the variety, perennial geraniums can grow in either sunlight or shade. In the country’s southern and western regions, both types profit from shielding from the sun during the warmest time of the day.
What Kind of Soil to Use for Geraniums
Geraniums grow best in healthy, well-draining soil, which is ideal for both perennial and annual geraniums. Improve soil drainage and quality when growing geraniums in planting beds by adding 3 inches of Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers to the top 6 to 8 inches of native soil. When growing geraniums in pots, Miracle-Gro Potting Mix should be used because it is light and fluffy. For the ideal planting medium, combine garden soil and potting soil in equal portions, or fill raised beds with Miracle-Gro Raised Bed Soil.
How to Plant Geraniums
Starting with young plants, such as the premium geraniums from the Miracle-Gro Brilliant Blooms collection*, is ideal (and simplest). Geraniums, both annual and perennial, benefit from warmth, so postpone planting in the spring until all risk of frost has passed. Once the summer heat subsides in the fall, you can also plant perennial geraniums. Try planting perennial geraniums from late fall to early spring in areas with mild winters.
Geraniums range in height from 4 to 48 inches tall and 6 to 36 inches wide, depending on the variety. For information on the recommended spacing for your type of geranium, consult plant tags. Use a pot that is at least 10 inches across for annual geraniums or at least 12 inches across for perennial geraniums when planting geraniums in pots.
Geraniums should be watered thoroughly after planting, giving the root ball and surrounding soil time to absorb the water.
How to Water Geraniums
Check the soil once a week for annual geraniums, and water when the top inch is dry. During their initial growth season, keep newly planted perennial geraniums in continuously moist soil. With the exception of periods of extreme drought, perennial geraniums can typically thrive on rainfall after they are established.
How to Mulch Geraniums
After planting geraniums, cover the area with a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch to help keep the soil moist and to prevent weed growth and sun exposure. Use Scotts bagged mulch, chopped leaves, pine straw, or another material that is easily obtainable in your area.
How to Feed Geraniums
Your plants receive an excellent starting dosage of nutrients when you start with rich, nutrient-rich soil. However, you should also feed them frequently all season long for maximum results. Apply Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Rose & Bloom Plant Food to your geraniums a month after planting to give them the extra boost of nutrition they require for magnificent blooms. Make sure you adhere to label directions.
How to Grow Perennial Geraniums
Even in the coldest climates, perennial geraniums don’t require particular care to survive the winter. After the initial flower flush, cutting perennial geraniums back by around one-third can encourage more blooms. Cut stems back as necessary if hardy geraniums like “Rozanne” or “Pink Penny” spread out too quickly and widely. These vining geraniums can have up to two-thirds of their length removed, and the plants will still grow back. To encourage new growth and prevent wilted leaves, prune cranesbill geraniums to 2 to 4 inches height after flowering.
How to Use Geraniums
Annual geraniums are excellent at stealing the show in planters and flowerbeds. Regal geraniums can resist cool weather and form lovely hanging basket plants, making them an obvious choice for planting in the early spring. Ivy geraniums are very stunning. Geraniums with aromatic leaves are strong in containers and form a lovely patio display where the leaves may be stroked and enjoyed.
In gardens with some shade, perennial geraniums add much-needed color and can thrive next to mature trees. While mid-size perennial geraniums go well with lanky shrubs, shorter perennial kinds create beautiful ground covers.
Are you prepared to begin cultivating geraniums? To learn more about a product, to buy it online, or to locate a retailer near you, click on any of the product links above.
When should I put geraniums in the ground outside?
In the summer, give geraniums plenty of water and deadhead to promote a second rush of blooms.
Annual geraniums are frequently grown, and at the conclusion of the summer, they are composted. Keeping them over the winter is worth considering if you have space and a spot that doesn’t get frosty.
Lift plants that are in garden soil or big pots and place them in a smaller container to overwinter geraniums. Ideally, you should do this before the first frost. Damaged leaves and wilted blooms should be removed. Plants should be pruned back by about a third and placed in a bright, frost-free area. Because the plants won’t completely hibernate, water sparingly all winter long. Apply a general liquid feed in the spring and increase watering. Plant just until all threat of frost has passed, typically starting in late May.
Geraniums can continue to bloom throughout the fall or even into the winter if grown as indoor plants. Indoor geraniums should not be placed near open flames or radiators.
Here, Monty Don demonstrates how to give wintering geraniums a new lease of life by severely pruning them before they begin to grow:
How to propagate geraniums
In the spring, trim fresh growth from plants that overwintered. If you’d like, cuttings can be taken in the late summer.
Cut above the third joint below the developing tip to eliminate cutting material. Pinch out any buds that are producing flowers. Remove all leaves except for the top two with a clean knife. Recut the cutting’s base at the lowest joint.
Compost that has been cut up should be placed in a plastic garden container and compacted. Water the cuttings, then place them about one centimeter into the compost. Place the pots in a well-lit area that is warm but not hot. If you’ve obtained cuttings from many different types, remember to name the pot.
In our No Fuss Guide, Rosie Yeomans demonstrates how to propagate pelargoniums.
Growing geraniums: problem solving
Pelargonium rust can harm zonal geraniums. This is a fungal disease that frequently gets worse in humid summers or after plants have been grown in an area with inadequate ventilation. Brown patches on the underside of leaves are a sure sign of rust. Plants with brown patches should be destroyed.
In this Quick Tips video, we explain if you should water geraniums over the winter:
Watering
Water your geraniums thoroughly, but give the soil time to dry between applications so that it resembles a damp sponge. To guarantee sufficient moisture, use a well-draining soil, such as SummerWinds Potting Soil. Yellowing leaves suggest excessive watering, so stop immediately.
Deadheading
Always pinch back (off) spent blooms on your geraniums to protect them from ceasing to bloom. Deadheading should be done all the way back to the plant’s stem. This will encourage new development and maintain the vibrant, healthy appearance of your plant.
Fertilizing
Use quality fertilizer to keep your geraniums healthy and content. Every two to three weeks, you can fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer, or every three to four months, with a time-release fertilizer. Alternating between organic and water-soluble fertilizers is possible, and both are accessible and advised.
Plant Replacement & Lighting Requirements
Make sure your geraniums are planted or placed in a sunny area. Before you plant them in the ground or arrange them in your home, choose a decent location because they require 5 to 6 hours of sunlight to generate blooms.
Cool-Season Care
Geraniums seldom contract diseases, and they have little pest problems, which is another wonderful advantage of planting them. Geraniums are a vibrant and flowering addition to any garden this season.
Can geraniums withstand a lot of heat?
There is no reason why your garden can’t be as vibrant, rich, and beautiful as your springtime landscape, even at the height of summer. In fact, by including these gorgeous, heat-tolerant plants in your beds, borders, and containers as soon as the temperature begins to rise, you can keep your garden in flower all season long. They can be planted as annuals to replace springtime species that struggle in the heat, even though the majority are perennials in warm areas.
Lantana
Lantana like hot, humid weather because it is a native of the tropics, and it thrives in moist, well-draining soil (but can withstand drought conditions). It blooms all year long in close clusters of red, orange, yellow, pink, or white and thrives in the light, especially afternoon sun. Since the flowers are enticing to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, they are perfect for planting along the borders of vegetable gardens. Place them next to plants like squash and melons that require pollination.
- Citrus Verbena
- Cosmos
These native to Mexico tall, showy annuals have silky, daisy-like blossoms and can withstand heat and drought, making them perfect for desert gardens or regions with poor soil. If you want to add a lot of color to your space with little to no upkeep, plant them in beds you’ve long neglected because too rich a soil can result in weak-stemmed and floppy plants.
Marigold
Marigolds frequently appear on lists of the best warm-weather flowers, and for good reason—they’re time-honored, simple to grow, come in cheery orange and yellow hues, and bloom in the summer and fall when many other plants are complaining about the heat. Plant them in full sun, in a soil that drains well, and water them thoroughly at the root zone, letting the soil become a little dry in between waterings.
Geranium
Geraniums have long been recognized to withstand heat better than most plant species, but more recently developed hybrid geraniums have resulted in variants that can withstand harsh environments like Texas and Arizona, where summer temperatures regularly reach 100 degrees or more. However, they require constant watering to remain healthy, so when the top two inches of soil become dry, you should water them with a Thumb Control Watering Nozzle. If offered afternoon shade in the height of heat, they are also ultimately happier.
Salvia
Salvias, also referred to as sages, are long-blooming, hardy to deer, simple to plant, and simple to maintain. Salvias are a native of the Mediterranean region and are perfect for arid gardens and landscapes that are tolerant of drought because they can withstand high temperatures, love full sun, and require little summer watering. The salvias with the most spectacular flowers are those with profusions of brilliant blue or purple blooms that bloom all summer long and draw a variety of pollinators.
Sedum
The category of succulents known as sedums (stonecrops) requires the least amount of upkeep possible. Sedums thrive in less-than-ideal situations by storing moisture in their thick, succulent leaves. They are resistant to drought, heat, humidity, and poor soil. These characteristics make them fantastic options for arid environments and rock gardens that yet desire a vibrant infusion of color in the summer when the dense clusters of blooms develop. Sedums dislike having damp feet, so be sure to plant them in full sun and well-draining soil.