Arizona is home to many different types of beautiful plants, and you can add some of these desert beauties to your garden. Some common desert plants in Arizona include creosote bush, desert globemallow, brittlebush, fairy duster, and firecracker penstemon. These unique plants will help enhance the visual appeal of your landscape and will thrive in this hot environment.

1. Creosote Bush

Creosote bushes are native to the Mojave Desert, which covers a significant portion of Arizona. They have dark green leaves with small flowers that bloom in the spring and produce seeds in the fall. Creosote bushes usually grow between 3-5 feet tall but can reach heights of 10 feet if left undisturbed. The creosote bush is also known for being able to withstand extremely harsh conditions such as drought and high temperatures. It can even survive in areas where there is very little rainfall, making it the perfect plant to add to your garden in Arizona.

2. Desert Globemallow

Desert globemallows are perennial shrubs that belong to the Malvaceae family. Their stems can grow anywhere from 6 inches to 3 feet long and their leaves are covered in soft hairs. Their flowers bloom from March to April and consist of five petals that range from white to pink in color. After blooming, they produce fruits that turn red when ripe.

3. Brittlebush

Brittlebushes are shrubs that belong to the Encelia farinosa genus. They typically grow in rocky hillsides and scrublands in Arizona. Their leaves are stiff and triangular in shape and range from 1/2 inch to 5 inches long. Their flowers are yellowish-green and bloom from late winter to mid-spring.

4. Fairy Duster

Fairy dusters are widely recognized by their distinctive red and pink leaves. They are native to the southwestern United States and Mexico and thrive in rocky soil and full sun exposure. Their leaves measure about 4 inches long and are covered in fine hair. Their flowers bloom from late winter and early spring all the way until the fall. These plants don't need to be watered very often, and do well when exposed sun, making them perfect for properties in Arizona.

The flowers of fairy duster plants are edible and many types of wildlife feed on them. It is said that they have a taste that is similar to cucumbers.

5. Firecracker Penstemon

Firecracker penstemons are native to Arizona and parts of New Mexico. They are perennial shrubs that belong to the Scrophulariaceae family. Their leaves are thick and waxy and grow from 2-6 inches long. Their flowers bloom from April through July and come in shades of red, orange, and yellow. These plants are drought-resistant and do well when exposed to the sun, making them a low-maintenance option for gardens in Arizona.

Give us a call today to schedule our plantings and softscapes service.

If you're looking to add some flair to your landscape with some desert plants, then we are the team to turn to! At Divine Design Landscaping, we offer a plantings and softscapes service that you can take advantage of which involves either renovating your existing landscape beds or installing new ones, and then filling them with beautiful plants. Some desert friendly plants that we can install in your landscape beds include creosote bush, desert globemallow, brittlebush, fairy duster, firecracker penstemon, and much more. We offer this service to residential and commercial property owners in Phoenix, Laveen, Scottsdale, AZ, and throughout the surrounding areas. Give us a call at (602) 769-4564 to schedule our plantings and softscapes service today. We look forward to working with you and helping you create the beautiful landscape of your dreams!