Time to Bloom

Next, the chart provides information on approximate time from planting seed untill the plant will bloom. You can use this to plan for blooms at a certain time of year. On a calendar identify the date you want blooms, back up the number of days listed in the “Time to First Bloom” column and plant seed slightly before to slightly after that date. Plant over a window of time to allow for variation due to weather conditions.

Height 

The information on plant height will be useful in designing your garden. When planting a one-sided bed (next to a wall, for example), put taller plants in back. If the flower bed can be seen from two sides, tall growers look best in the center so they don’t conceal smaller plants.

Light 

Most plants need a minimum of eight to ten hours of sunlight to produce flowers, however, there are a few that thrive in the shade. Identify how much light you can provide in your planting bed and select plants that will thrive in that environment.

Difficulty 

This is an indicator of how hard it is to grow that plant in the low desert.

Water Needs 

Group plants with the same water needs to avoid under- or over-watering individual plants.

Special Characteristics 

Lures

•  Hummingbirds: Hummingbirds, which feed mostly on insects, are a wonderful addition to your garden. They are primarily attracted to red and orange tubular shaped flowers with lots of nectar but may be attracted to other vibrant colors. Plan for year round bloom.

• Seed-eating Birds: Enjoy the antics of a variety of birds as they harvest seeds from your flowers. Many of the native wildflowers are great food sources for birds. To feed the birds, you must allow the flowers to go to seed and let the birds provide the color and beauty of the garden for a bit. Some people can not tolerate the “messy” look of seed stalks.

• Butterflies: One of the best ways to ensure having butterflies in your garden is to nurture the caterpillars. Think of them as baby butterflies. Learn to identify and enjoy them. Butterflies are attracted to wide, flat flowers on which they can easily land. Position plants in a sunny place, sheltered from wind. Grow large clumps of flowers. Maintain diversity in height, color and blooming period.

Edible

Many flowers are edible. Though few are flavorful, they are beautiful and can be a fun or elegant edition to the meal.
NOTE: To effectively lure birds or butterflies or to consume edible flowers it is important to avoid or limit your use of pesticides.

Cut Flowers

Some flowers perform much better as cut flowers than others. They have longer stems, they hold their bloom longer, and work much better in arrangements.

Dried Flowers

Some flowers can be preserved as dried flowers much more easily than others.

Wildflowers

The term “Wildflowers” in this chart refers to native annuals and other plants which are easily grown from seed and can naturalize by reseeding.

Reseeds

Some annuals reseed themselves quite readily. You may either enjoy future generations or remove the spent blossoms before seeds mature and drop.

Fragrance

What some people find an “attractive fragrance ,” others find an “overpowering smell.” You may want to go to a nursery and personally take a whiff of the type of plants you are considering growing for fragrance before you cover your yard with them.

Color

Color is a powerful tool. Complementary colors, those on opposite sides of the color wheel (for example yellow & purple, orange & blue) can make pleasing contrasts. Colors next to each other on the color wheel are said to be harmonious (for example, yellow & orange or purple & blue). Green, blue, and purple are considered cool colors and can make the yard seem cooler and more inviting in the
summer. Warm colors — red, orange and yellow — can add excitement to the landscape. Hot colors appear to be closer than cool colors so put cool colored flowers at the back of the garden to make it appear larger. Experiment with other color combinations.

Tags: Biennials and Perennials,  Annual Flowers, Low Desert

More about Flower Planting Guide for the Low Desert next week. 

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