Southwest Bedding Plants

Below are examples and descriptions of popular Southwest bedding plants that add reliable color to desert landscapes. Many bedding plants grow well in the Southwest when they receive consistent moisture and a little extra care during the hottest months. Deep watering helps roots grow stronger and keeps plants from stressing in the summer heat. Feeding once a month with a balanced fertilizer during spring and summer will encourage healthy growth and longer-lasting blooms.

There are thousands of heat-tolerant bedding plants that can thrive in desert climates when planted correctly. The key is choosing bedding plants suited for hot, dry conditions and improving the soil so it holds moisture without staying soggy. With proper watering, fertilizing, and placement, desert summer flowers can bloom steadily from early spring through late summer. Whether you are filling flower beds, borders, or containers, Southwest bedding plants are one of the easiest ways to bring bright, seasonal color to your yard.

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List of Bedding Plants Southwest

Marjoram or Origanum majorana – Evergreen annual or biannual branching stems, aromatic leaves. Small, white or pink flowers appear in summer. Marjoram is an annual plant in the Southwest.

Impatients – New Guniea Impatients. They like water and shade, good for the shady area. Impatients will do great in the southwest, they just need regular watering ( at least once per day ) and shade in the afternoon. Annual.

Dianthus – They will bloom from mid-summer to late fall. Be sure to deadhead the blooms to extend the blooming season. Easy-care type bedding plants do great in the southwest. More Information here

Daisys – They require full sun. They bloom almost all summer long. Don’t be afraid to plant them in the full sun; just water daily during the hot summer months. Varieties will determine if annual or perennial, ask a local nursery.

Chili Plants – Southwest bedding plants like the tig Jim, Serrano, and Jalapeno require full sun. They are considered a vegetable, and they love hot southwestern sun. Click here for great advice on how to make them survive.

Pansies – These flowering plants like cooler weather; they tend to get leggy and droopy during the hot summer months. Pansies are strictly annuals in the Southwest. They do best during the spring and fall months. The Perfect spot for Pansies. Full to partial shade.

Gazania – Low-growing annual or evergreen perennial with basal type leaves, which are sometimes covered with fine gray hairs. They love full sun. Considered an annual when they go dormant during winter, but seeds will germinate in spring. The Gazania Plant Growth.

Marigolds – Most marigolds are trouble-free plants; they branch vigorously. Leaves are finely divided and dark green, up to 4 inches. They love the full sun, flowers open up in the bright sunlight, then close at night…….cool, huh! Marigolds in your vegetable garden.

Begonias – Most begonias are grown for their colorful flowers and foliage. They can be grown outdoors in pots, or in the ground, should have filtered light/shade, and moist, needs well drained soil.

Bedding plant tips: excellent article on preparing a bedding plant for your home or landscape.

Plus other bedding plants too numerous to list here. Click here for a map to our Southwestern retail store located at 655 E. University, Las Cruces, NM 88005.

Bedding Plants Southwest

Flax – Will Bloom midspring to mid-summer. Water 2-3 times per week, Plant in sun to partial sun.

Verbena – You’ll love this perennial plant, hardy in the southwest, which can be treated as an annual. Excellent ground cover, especially in the southwest, borders it around taller perennials. They need full sun.  Purple Verbena plants.

Goldenrod – Full sun, water weekly, blooms in late summer to midfall.

Lantana – The gold colors are much more hardier. Lots of flowers throughout the summer. Leaves are 2″ to 4 inches long, dark green. It is a perennial in the southwest. Flowers attract butterflies. Full sun. Here is an excellent article on “Lantana and Red Bird of Paradise.”

Petunias – The leaves on this perennial are medium green, 3 inches long. Many flowers up to 2″ wide, many colors from white to pink to blue. Requires part sun; they do better under a large tree or the east side of a wall. Try wave petunias for color.

Salvia Sage – Lots of varieties to choose from blooms in midsummer to early fall. Full sun and well-drained soil. Excellent stand-alone plant, spiky red, pink blooms, hardy perennial. Cut down low during the winter season for excellent growth and color during the late spring and summer.  Salvia Plant Care.