Be Inspired Blog - Arizona
Seasonal Flowers: Why Timing Matters in the Desert Garden
One of the wonderful things about gardening in the Greater Phoenix Metro Area is that colorful flowers aren't limited to spring and summer. With our mild winters and long growing seasons, we can enjoy beautiful blooms nearly year-round.
The secret is knowing when it's time for a change.
As temperatures shift, you'll notice the selection of seasonal flowers at SummerWinds begins to change, too. Heat-loving flowers gradually make way for cool-season favorites in fall, and when temperatures rise again in spring, summer flowers return.
There's a good reason for that rotation. Choosing flowers for the season ahead—and planting them at the right time—can give them the opportunity to establish strong roots and provide months of beautiful color.
Why Seasonal Flowers Change
Just like vegetables, different flowers prefer different growing conditions.
Warm-season flowers are selected for their ability to handle the Valley's intense summer heat. Cool-season flowers perform best during our milder fall, winter and early-spring weather.
Vinca is a great example.
Vinca is an outstanding summer performer in the low desert. It loves the heat and can provide beautiful color when many other flowers struggle. But that doesn't necessarily make it a good choice for winter.
As temperatures cool, vinca growth slows considerably. Combine colder temperatures with cool, wet soil, and vinca can become more susceptible to root and stem diseases. A plant that was perfectly suited to your garden in July may be much less happy there in January.
Petunias are almost the opposite.
They appreciate the Valley's cooler months and can put on a spectacular display through fall, winter and spring. That's why fall is the time to begin making the switch.
Don't Wait Until Winter to Plant Winter Flowers
When it's still warm outside in October, planting petunias, snapdragons, dianthus and other cool-season flowers may feel a little early.
But there's an advantage to getting them planted in fall.
The soil is still relatively warm, which encourages root development, while gradually cooling air temperatures become increasingly favorable for cool-season flowers. Planting during this transition gives your flowers time to establish their root systems before the coldest part of winter arrives.
A well-established plant is better prepared for temperature changes and can put more energy into producing the beautiful growth and blooms you'll enjoy throughout the season.
In other words, you don't have to wait for sweater weather to start planting your winter color.
Should You Replace Summer Flowers That Still Look Good?
Not necessarily all at once.
Our seasonal transitions in the Valley aren't always neat and tidy. October can still bring very warm afternoons, and some summer flowers may continue looking fantastic well into fall.
You can certainly enjoy them while they're performing well.
But if you're planning a larger seasonal refresh, don't feel as though you have to wait until every summer flower has declined before getting started. Replacing some warm-season flowers with cool-season varieties in fall gives those new plants valuable time to settle into their new home.
Containers are especially easy to transition gradually. Refresh a few pots near an entryway or patio first, then continue changing others as your summer flowers begin to fade.
When refreshing containers, remove old roots, loosen the remaining potting mix and add some fresh potting soil before planting your cool-season flowers. If the previous plants had signs of root rot or disease, it’s best to replace the potting mix before replanting.
What Can You Plant for Fall & Winter Color?
This is where gardening in the Valley gets especially fun. There are so many colors, flower forms and growing habits to choose from.
Some fall and winter favorites include:
- Petunias – Colorful, prolific bloomers that are wonderful in beds and containers.
- Snapdragons – Upright flower spikes add height and dimension.
- Sweet Alyssum – A low-growing favorite that's perfect for edging and spilling over containers.
- Dianthus – Compact plants with cheerful flowers in a variety of colors.
- Lobelia – Delicate blooms that work beautifully along edges and in mixed containers.
- Calendula – Bright, daisy-like flowers that bring warm shades of yellow and orange to the garden.
- Nemesia – Colorful flowers that are especially pretty in containers and combination plantings.
- Osteospermum (African Daisy) – Bold, daisy-like flowers that love our cooler seasons.
- Stock – Upright blooms that add beautiful color and fragrance.
- Geraniums – A longtime Valley favorite for adding colorful blooms to containers and garden beds.
And that's only the beginning. As fall progresses into winter, you'll find even more seasonal favorites arriving at our garden centers.
A Little Planning Now Can Mean More Color Later
It can be tempting to choose flowers based entirely on what looks beautiful today. But successful seasonal gardening is also about looking ahead.
What will temperatures be like in a month? What conditions will this plant experience as it becomes established? And how long do you hope to enjoy it?
That's one reason our flower selection changes throughout the year. We want to help you discover plants that are well-suited for the season ahead—not simply the weather we're experiencing on the day you visit.
So, when petunias begin appearing while you're still wearing shorts, there's a reason!
Fall planting gives many of our favorite cool-season flowers time to establish before winter and sets the stage for beautiful color throughout the Valley's cooler months.
Ready to make the seasonal switch? Explore our Fall & Winter Flowers for inspiration, then stop by your local SummerWinds Nursery and let our Trusted Garden Advisors help you find beautiful seasonal color for your garden.
