Easy-to-Grow Native Wildflowers for the Southwest

Learn about six beautiful desert species and how to start them from seed

Brilliant wildflower exhibit are fabled in much of theSouthwest , but they do n’t occur every yr . In fact , a widespread display only bechance about once every ten age or so . grow to maturity from tiny cum in the harsh conditions of the desert is a challenge for wildflower , so the display are typically more localized , indicating that just the right combination of temperature and precipitation has occurred in one finicky spot over another . It ’s no surprise , then , that trying to create a wild flower garden in a home landscape painting requires some measured interposition in most years . Fortunately , there are a number of colorfulnative speciesthat respond well from semen and can return for many twelvemonth if good garden conditions are assert . Here are some of my favorite native wild flower coinage and how good to grow them from seed .

The Best Native Wildflowers to Grow from Seed

Mexican poppy

Eschscholziacalifornicasubsp.mexicana , Zones 9–11

Mexican poppy is tougher than its cousin theCalifornia poppy(Eschscholzia californica , Zones 8–10 ) , thriving in the desert rather than in seasonal grasslands . Despite that , this Greco-Roman orange - and - gold poppy will also originate well beyond the confines of the desert . Mexican poppy is a short - lived perennial that will bloom in leap and reseed easy from class to year .

Penstemons

Penstemonspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–10

There are many aboriginal metal money of penstemon that are easy to establish from seed , let in Parry ’s genus Penstemon ( Penstemon parryi , Zones 8–10 ) , superb penstemon ( Penstemon superbus , Zones 5–10 ) , and banger penstemon ( Penstemon eatonii , Zones 4–8 ) . The reddish , pink , and coral spires of desert penstemons can turn from 2 to 4 feet tall and are always a magnet for hummingbird . They will go as perennial for several eld , as well as multiply from seminal fluid each time of year .

Desert globemallow

Sphaeralceaambigua , Zones 6–9

There are several aboriginal globemallow coinage , and all are undemanding plant that give your garden a welcome pop of coral - orange — sometimes pinkish — prime . Desert globemallow is an loose - to - come - by species that will blossom in spring . It will reward you with a new flush of blooms after a summertime trimming and some subsidiary water .

Desert marigold

Baileya multiradiata , Zones 7–11

The percipient yellow daisies and flatware leaf of desert marigold are a cheerful accession to any desert garden . This plant may only total back for a few long time , but its ability to self - sow assure repeated exhibit . As stems age out , a trim will produce newfangled ontogeny and flowers intimately any meter of year .

Brittlebush

Encelia farinosa , Zones 7–11

Brittlebush is a ubiquitous sight in the desert . Also up to of flowering nearly any time of twelvemonth , it top out in bounce , turning intact mountainsides to amber . Water new works for about a month , and then withhold water to ensure a more compact habit .

Phacelia

Phaceliaspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–10

While there are repeated and biennial species of phacelia , desertbells ( Phacelia campanularia ) notch - leaves scorpion weed ( Phacelia crenulata ) , and distant scorpionweed ( Phacelia distans ) are a few of the spectacular annual mintage native to the Southwest . Also cognise as Phacelia tanacetifolia or scorpionweed , scorpion weed is easy to grow from seed , and all will tot a welcome splash of blue or regal to your garden . Note that some people ( myself included ) react to phacelias with a rash , much like they do to poison ivy . If that ’s the case , plantdesert specie of lupines(Lupinusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) instead .

How to Grow Wildflowers from Seed

Start at the right time of year

Most spring wildflower bourgeon best in the nerveless wintertime month when winter rains make stark conditions . sow any fourth dimension fromNovemberthroughJanuaryis ideal . you’re able to also sow seed inFebruaryif more consistent supplemental body of water is provided . Marchalso work for cooler area of the Southwest .

Pick the right spot

The site should have at least half a day of sunlight . Choose a reasonable - size surface area that you may commit to , and start with a fresh slate . No one wants a field of skunk , so do your best to eliminate undesirable plant life before planting anything new .

Prep the soil

This is as simple as rough out up the control surface to the depth of an in or two . Deeper than 2 inches is okay too , but create a porous surface is what really weigh . I use a three - prongy raiser to work the soil , enough that the surface has a bit of grain for seed to send packing into .

Prep the seeds

Most desert wildflower seed are fairly little and may resemble detritus or sand . To help spread them equally , I mix the come thoroughly into at least a couple quarts of actual sand . Then as I spread the cum / sand miscellany , I can see where , and how evenly , I have circularize it .

Plant in rows

plant in aslope rows or some other pattern will help you identify if it ’s your germ germinating or something perhaps less worthy . After circularize the seed , you should light brush the control surface with a broom or wire rake just to settle things a routine . As the blossom fill in , the figure will not be obtrusive .

Water gently and consistently

This is really vital ! Desert rains are irregular , so a light lachrymation by hand every day for at least ten day or so should ensue in lots of little seedling emerging everywhere .

Taper off your watering schedule

Once seedling come out you’re able to melt off watering to every other day for another week or two , and if you are fortunate enough to get an actual rain shower , hop-skip that daytime and monitor precondition before you resume tearing . From there , affix with episodic body of water as needed .

All of the wildflowers discussed here are perfect complements to more - structural plants like yuccas ( Yuccaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–11 ) , agaves ( Agavespp . and cvs . , Zones 5–11 ) , desert willows ( Chilopsis linearis , Zones 6–11 ) , and prickly pear cacti ( Opuntiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–11 ) . These native flower feel like the Southwest in a way that most imported yearly just do n’t . There are always other species you could add , but these provide a solid start , and the results are always pander .

memorise moreabout growingwildflowers from seminal fluid .

Dan Johnson lives and garden in Denver and in Tucson , Arizona . He is an associate director of gardening for the Denver Botanic Gardens .

photo : Dan Johnson

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