Fall is an excellent time to breathe new life into your Arizona landscape. As the weather cools and the intense summer heat fades, both gardeners and plants find relief. Cooler temperatures allow for better working conditions, and many plants thrive in Arizona’s fall climate. Whether you’re looking to add color to your flower beds, increase the beauty of your yard with hardy shrubs, or introduce new trees, fall is the perfect time to get planting. In this blog, we’ll explore the best plants to add to your Arizona landscape during the fall season, including flowers, shrubs, trees, and grasses that flourish in Arizona’s unique environment.
Why Fall is the Best Time to Plant in Arizona
Arizona’s fall season, characterized by cooler temperatures and occasional rain, is an ideal time to add new plants to your yard. This season provides the perfect balance for growth: soil temperatures remain warm enough to encourage root development, while the cooler air prevents plants from becoming stressed or scorched, as they often do during summer.
- Extended Growing Season
- In Arizona, fall provides a second growing season before the winter chill sets in. Plants have the opportunity to establish strong root systems, preparing them to survive the colder months and thrive in the spring.
- Milder Temperatures
- The milder temperatures in fall are less stressful for new plants, giving them a better chance to grow and establish without the extreme heat of summer.
- More Manageable Watering
- Cooler temperatures and occasional fall rains make it easier to manage your watering schedule. Plants won’t need as much water as they would in the summer, allowing for more efficient and cost-effective care.
Top Fall Flowers for Arizona Gardens
Adding vibrant, cool-season flowers to your Arizona garden can give your landscape a fresh and colorful look throughout fall and even into winter.
- Pansies
- Why They’re Great: Pansies are one of the most popular cool-season flowers for Arizona gardens. They thrive in cooler temperatures and come in a wide array of colors, making them a versatile choice for flower beds and containers.
- Care: Pansies prefer full to partial sun and well-draining soil. Plant them in early fall for blooms that last through the winter.
- Snapdragons
- Why They’re Great: Snapdragons add height and texture to your garden with their vertical flower spikes. They are available in many colors, and their blooms can last well into winter.
- Care: Snapdragons prefer full sun and should be planted in well-drained soil. Regular deadheading will encourage continuous blooms.
- Petunias
- Why They’re Great: Petunias are another cool-season favorite in Arizona. Their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms make them perfect for borders and containers.
- Care: Plant petunias in full sun and provide regular watering. They benefit from being fertilized every few weeks for optimal growth.
- Calendula
- Why They’re Great: Also known as “pot marigolds,” calendula is a hardy flower that blooms in bright shades of yellow and orange. It is a tough plant that can handle Arizona’s cooler fall temperatures.
- Care: Calendula thrives in full sun and prefers well-draining soil. They require moderate watering but are generally low-maintenance.
Best Shrubs to Plant in Fall
Fall is also an excellent time to plant shrubs, which provide structure, texture, and lasting beauty to your Arizona landscape. Here are a few shrubs that perform exceptionally well when planted in fall.
- Texas Sage (Leucophyllum)
- Why It’s Great: Texas sage is a drought-tolerant shrub that produces beautiful purple blooms. It’s perfect for adding year-round color and texture to Arizona landscapes.
- Care: Texas sage requires full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it requires minimal water, making it an excellent choice for water-conscious homeowners.
- Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans)
- Why It’s Great: Yellow bells are known for their bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom from spring through fall. This fast-growing shrub adds a tropical feel to any landscape.
- Care: Plant yellow bells in full sun and well-draining soil. They are drought-tolerant but will produce more blooms with regular watering.
- Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
- Why It’s Great: Red yucca is a hardy, drought-tolerant shrub that produces tall spikes of red or coral flowers. It’s perfect for adding color and texture to xeriscapes or desert-themed gardens.
- Care: Red yucca thrives in full sun and requires very little water once established. It’s an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscapes.
- Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
- Why It’s Great: Known for its showy orange and red flowers, the Mexican bird of paradise is a stunning shrub that attracts pollinators and adds vibrant color to Arizona gardens.
- Care: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Mexican bird of paradise is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional deep watering.
Best Fall Trees for Arizona Landscapes
Trees planted in the fall have time to establish their roots before the extreme heat of summer arrives. Here are a few trees that thrive in Arizona’s climate and should be considered for your fall planting.
- Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
- Why It’s Great: Desert willow is a beautiful native tree that produces trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. It is drought-tolerant and attracts hummingbirds.
- Care: Desert willow prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It requires very little water once established, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes.
- Palo Verde (Parkinsonia)
- Why It’s Great: Palo verde trees are iconic in Arizona with their green bark and striking yellow flowers. They provide shade, color, and are extremely drought-tolerant.
- Care: Plant in full sun and well-draining soil. Palo verde trees require minimal water once established and are ideal for desert landscapes.
- Arizona Ash (Fraxinus velutina)
- Why It’s Great: Arizona ash is a fast-growing shade tree that provides excellent canopy cover. It’s an excellent choice for homeowners looking to add shade to their landscape.
- Care: Arizona ash prefers full sun and regular watering in its early years. Once established, it becomes more drought-tolerant.
Grasses to Consider for Fall Planting
Adding ornamental grasses to your landscape can introduce texture, movement, and color. Here are some grasses that thrive in Arizona’s fall climate.
- Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia)
- Why It’s Great: Muhly grass is a stunning ornamental grass with fine-textured foliage and vibrant pink or purple blooms in the fall. It adds visual interest and softness to landscapes.
- Care: Plant muhly grass in full sun and well-drained soil. It requires minimal water and is highly drought-tolerant once established.
- Buffalo Grass (Bouteloua dactyloides)
- Why It’s Great: Buffalo grass is a drought-tolerant, native grass that works well as a low-maintenance lawn alternative in Arizona. It thrives in hot, dry conditions.
- Care: Plant in full sun and water moderately until established. Once rooted, buffalo grass requires very little water or maintenance.
Tips for a Successful Fall Planting Season
- Prepare the Soil
- Before planting, amend your soil with compost or organic matter to improve water retention and provide nutrients for new plants. Loosen the soil to help roots establish more easily.
- Watering
- While fall is cooler than summer, new plants still require regular watering to establish their roots. Deep, infrequent watering is ideal to promote deep root growth.
- Mulch
- Applying mulch around your plants helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and prevent weeds. Mulch is especially important for newly planted trees and shrubs.
- Protect from Frost
- In some parts of Arizona, nighttime temperatures can dip close to freezing. Be sure to cover frost-sensitive plants when cold temperatures are expected.
Fall is the perfect time to refresh your Arizona landscape with new plants, shrubs, and trees. With the right selection of flowers, shrubs, trees, and ornamental grasses, you can enjoy a beautiful, vibrant garden all season long. By planting during the fall, you give your landscape the best chance to thrive in Arizona’s climate and prepare for the coming spring.