Southern Arizona Show Stoppers: Eight Interesting Plants That Will Add Color To Your Garden

Want to add some flare to your garden this year? Here are a few of my favorite plants that make a big impact.

All of these plants will grow in the Sierra Vista area which is in the USDA zone 8A.

Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens)  

This Salvia’s large green leaves and bright red flowers are an eye catcher. Sun to partial shade. Blooms mid-summer to mid fall. Average water needs. 2ft tall by 2ft wide.

Photo by Hanna Zelenko. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Queen Victoria Agave (Agave victoriae reginae)  

The unique shape and crisp outlined green of this beautiful agave is sure to stop anyone in their tracks. Part shade to full sun. Low water use. 12 to 18″ wide.

Photo by Stan Shebs. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)  

My favorite part about this plant is its velvety flower spikes. Its also a great hummingbird plant. Full sun. Blooms late summer to fall. Low water use. 4ft tall by 4 ft wide.

Photo by Miheco on Flickr. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Chaparral Sage (Salvia clevelandii)  

Oh, the smell of this one! The fragrant aroma accompanies pinwheel shaped flowers that butterflies love. Full sun.  Blooms through summer. Low water use. 4ft by 4ft.

Photo by Jim Sage. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)  

The burnt orange and deep red of these flowers are truly unique. This is another butterfly plant. Full sun. Blooms summer to fall. Average water use. 1.5ft by 1.5ft.

Photo by Johnathan Stegeman. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Texas Mountain Laurel (Calia secundiflora)  

Here’s another one that smells great! In fact, it smells just like grape cool-aid.  Just don’t drink the cool-aid; all parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested. Full sun to part shade. Blooms mid-summer through fall. Low water use. Grows as a tree or shrub up to 15 feet.

Photo by Kretyen on Flickr. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Lady Banks Rose (Rosa banksiae)  

Here’s a rose that is sure to knock your socks off.  The small yellow or white flowers of this trailing, thornless rose are abundant.  Full sun. Blooms spring to early summer. Average water use but more drought and heat tolerant than most roses. 15ft to 20ft tall and wide.

Photo by A. Barra. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Texas Ranger ‘Green Cloud’ (Leucophyllum  frutescens ‘Green Cloud’)  

When the summer rains come, so do the abundant purple flowers on this gem. There are many other fun Texas Ranger varieties and cultivars too.  Full sun. Blooms mid-summer to fall. Low water use. 5ft wide by 6ft tall.

Photo by Stan Shebs. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.