The best full-sun perennials for Arizona landscapes are desert natives and other plants from dry climates, such as blackfoot daisy, desert marigold, red bird of paradise, angelita daisy, autumn sage, globe mallow, damianita and penstemon. Plant them in fall or late winter, and keep water modest once established.
Key takeaways
- Plant from mid-September through November, or in February and March, so roots establish before summer highs climb above 110°F.
- Blackfoot daisy, desert marigold and globe mallow do best in lean, well-drained soil with little or no fertilizer.
- Water deeply and regularly through the first two summers, then every 7 to 14 days in warm months once plants are established.
- Red bird of paradise freezes to the ground in hard frost and regrows in spring, so cut it back in late February or March.
- Autumn sage is the least heat-hardened plant of the eight and needs afternoon shade on a west-facing wall.
What does full sun mean in Queen Creek?
On a plant tag, full sun means at least six hours of direct light a day. In the East Valley, summer exposure is far harsher than that, because a south or west wall can bounce reflected heat onto a bed through afternoons above 110°F. A plant from a humid, rainy region may tolerate the light and still fail in this heat.
West-facing spots are the hardest. They receive peak sun and peak temperature in the same hours. Put desert natives there, and give them a deep soak in June before the monsoon arrives. Plants that want some shelter, such as autumn sage, do better on an east side with afternoon shade.
Which eight perennials handle full sun best here?
These eight earn their place through heat tolerance, low water needs and long bloom. They are varieties we commonly carry, though availability changes week to week and season to season, so check our plant selection or ask us what is on hand.
1. Blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)
This Southwest native forms a low mound roughly 6 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide, covered in small white daisies with yellow centers. It wants full sun and very little water once established. Its drawback is a short life in rich or soggy soil, where the crown rots. Skip compost and heavy irrigation.
2. Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata)
Desert marigold sends up bright yellow, papery flowers on stems 1 to 2 feet tall, and it blooms in spring with repeat flowering after rain. It reseeds freely, so volunteers often appear nearby. It needs full sun and little water. The drawback is a tired look once the flower stalks fade, and individual plants are short-lived.
3. Red bird of paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
This shrubby perennial reaches about 5 to 10 feet with ferny leaves and orange-red flowers from late spring into early fall. Hummingbirds visit it often. It takes full sun and moderate water through summer. The drawback is frost: a hard freeze kills it to the ground, and it stays bare until warm weather returns in spring.
4. Angelita daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis)
Angelita daisy makes a tidy clump of gray-green foliage about 8 to 12 inches tall, topped with yellow flowers on thin stems. It blooms heavily in spring and fall, with scattered flowers in between. It likes full sun and low water. Its drawback is sensitivity to wet feet, so it fails in heavy, poorly draining soil.
5. Autumn sage (Salvia greggii)
Autumn sage grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, with red, pink, coral or white flowers in spring and fall. It handles full sun on the east side of a house but wants afternoon shade where summer reflection is intense. Water is low to moderate. The drawback is a leggy, scorched look in hot western exposures.
6. Globe mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)
Globe mallow grows 2 to 4 feet tall with an open habit and cup-shaped flowers in apricot, salmon, red or white. It blooms in spring and again after monsoon rain. Full sun and low water suit it well. The drawback is rangy growth and heavy self-seeding, which is a plus on a slope and a nuisance in a tidy border.
7. Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana)
Damianita is a compact mound about 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Its dark green, resinous foliage smells herbal when brushed, and small yellow daisies cover it in spring and again in fall. It takes full sun and low water. The drawback is slow growth during the first year, and overwatering is the usual cause of loss.
8. Penstemon (Penstemon parryi and Penstemon eatonii)
Parry’s penstemon sends up hot-pink flower spikes 2 to 4 feet tall, often from February into April, and Eaton’s penstemon adds red blooms on a similar schedule. Both want full sun, sharp drainage and low water. The drawback is a short bloom window and thin foliage through summer.
When does each perennial bloom?
Bloom windows overlap, so a mixed planting stays colorful for most of the year. Timing shifts with weather, especially rainfall, so treat these as typical ranges.
| Perennial | Main bloom | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Penstemon | February to April | Foliage thins in summer |
| Blackfoot daisy | Spring through fall | Slows in peak heat |
| Desert marigold | Spring, repeats after rain | Reseeds |
| Angelita daisy | Spring and fall | Scattered flowers between |
| Damianita | Spring and fall | Evergreen foliage |
| Autumn sage | Spring and fall | Light flowers in summer |
| Globe mallow | Spring, again after monsoon rain | Reseeds |
| Red bird of paradise | Late spring to early fall | Dies back in hard frost |
Pair the early penstemon with red bird of paradise for a long season. Low plants like angelita daisy and blackfoot daisy go in front, with globe mallow and autumn sage behind them.
When should I plant full-sun perennials in Arizona?
Mid-September through November is the best window, with February and March a good second choice. Fall planting gives roots a full mild season to grow before the first summer. Avoid May through August, when even tough plants struggle to establish.
Our gardening calendars lay out the planting months in more detail. Dig the hole about twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper. Set the top of the root ball slightly above the surrounding grade so water drains away from the crown. Finish with a 2 to 3 inch layer of decomposed granite, which keeps the soil cooler and holds back weeds.
How much water do these perennials need?
Established plants need deep, infrequent watering, and new plants need more. Expect to water regularly through the first two summers while roots reach down. After that, the schedule loosens a lot.
- Winter: every 2 to 4 weeks, or skip when it rains.
- Spring and fall: every 7 to 14 days.
- June before the monsoon: a deep soak every 5 to 7 days for plants in full western sun.
- Monsoon season: water only during dry stretches between storms.
Aim to wet the soil 12 to 18 inches down rather than sprinkling the surface daily. Hard irrigation water leaves salts behind, and a deep soak moves them below the roots.
Do these perennials need special soil?
They need drainage more than richness. Queen Creek soil is typically alkaline, often with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5, and caliche (a cement-like mineral layer) can sit a foot or two down. The desert natives on this list tolerate those conditions well. Standing water around the crown is what damages them.
Probe the planting area with a steel rod to 18 to 24 inches. If you hit caliche, break through it with a digging bar or plant on a low berm. Skip amendments for blackfoot daisy, desert marigold, globe mallow and penstemon. Autumn sage and red bird of paradise accept a light mix of compost. Fertilize lightly, once, in early spring.
When should I prune them?
Most of these need only one or two trims a year. Timing matters more than effort, because pruning before frost danger passes exposes tender growth.
- Late February to March: cut red bird of paradise back hard once frost danger is past. Trim autumn sage by about one third.
- After bloom in spring: remove spent flower stalks from penstemon.
- October: clear spent summer growth from globe mallow and desert marigold. Divide crowded blackfoot daisy clumps if needed.
- Winter: leave the rest alone, since extra foliage gives crowns some frost protection.
Frequently asked questions
Can I grow these perennials in containers?
Yes, with limits. Angelita daisy, damianita and autumn sage handle large pots best, ideally 15 gallons or bigger, on a patio with morning sun. Use a fast-draining mix and expect to water every day or two in June. Browse our pottery and planters for pots with drainage holes.
Which of these attract hummingbirds?
Red bird of paradise, autumn sage and the red or pink penstemons are the usual hummingbird draws among these eight. Their tubular or showy flowers match the way hummingbirds feed. Planting a few of them together, with blooms staggered through the year, gives visiting birds a longer season of flowers.
Will they survive a winter frost?
Most of them do. Penstemon, globe mallow, blackfoot daisy and desert marigold tolerate the cold nights we see in the East Valley. Damianita and angelita daisy may show tip damage that grows out. Red bird of paradise is the exception: frost kills the top growth, but roots usually resprout in spring.
Can I mix them with annuals?
Yes, and the pairing works well when the water needs match. Use the perennials as the permanent frame and fill gaps with seasonal color from our annual flowers and foliage. Keep annuals on their own irrigation zone if possible, so you are not overwatering the desert natives.
How long until they are established?
Plan on two growing seasons. During that time, roots grow beyond the original planting hole and the plant needs regular deep watering. By the end of the second summer, most of these perennials handle long gaps between irrigations. Fall planting shortens the wait, since roots get a head start.
Are full-sun perennials right for your yard?
They suit most sunny Queen Creek yards, especially if you want color with modest water and little fuss. Autumn sage and red bird of paradise ask for a bit more care than the rest. These plants are a poor match if you want a lawn-like green carpet, rich soil with frequent feeding, or a shaded yard. If you are unsure which ones fit your exposure, stop by our nursery in Queen Creek and we will help you choose.
