One of the great things about the Gilbert, AZ area is that we experience mild falls compared to many other parts of the country. If you reside in this area and have maintained landscape beds, you know that this time of the year represents an amazing opportunity to add a lively pop of color to your property. Although some vegetation goes dormant in the cooler weather, the temperatures are still warm enough to grow certain flowers in the fall and winter.
Petunias, geraniums, and snapdragons are 3 great flowers to plant during Arizona's cooler months. So, if you've been looking for ways to spruce up your garden beds this winter, your search is over. Continue reading to learn why these plants are ideal choices for your landscape beds.
There are many varieties of petunia flowers, and they are all beautiful. Here are some characteristics they share. Common features of petunias include funnel-shaped flowers reminiscent of the old gramophone-style record players. The flowers come in all colors and are generally framed by dark foliage. Petunias usually contain five fully or partially fused petals.
Here in Arizona, it's best to plant petunias from September to December. Petunias thrive in temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and they need lots of light.
Although geraniums are technically perennials, many treat them as annuals. There are numerous varieties of geraniums, but they all have some similar features, including the fact that they have a round shape and usually have five petals. Geraniums generally grow to between 1 to 2 feet tall. Geraniums may also bloom in pink, purple, mauve, or white.
Here in Gilbert, AZ, many garden specialists recommend planting geraniums from September to late winter. This plant likes the sun and needs at least 5 to 6 hours of daily sunlight in the fall and winter. They also require healthy, loose soil and need ample water as long as it doesn't make the soil too soggy.
The snapdragon is actually a cool-season flower that tends to do well here in our dry weather conditions. These flowers resemble the snout of a dragon. Some have even been known to snap should you happen to squeeze their sides, hence the name "snapdragon." These brightly colored flowers can grow tall and make for a great accent.
Although property owners in most states plant snapdragons in the fall, here in the Gilbert, AZ region it's best to plant them in January or February. You'll also want to keep snapdragons moist for the first few weeks. Afterward, you can give them an inch of water a week, and they should do well.
Although the snapdragon requires minimal maintenance, cutting back the bulbs of this flower can extend their blooms into mid-spring.
Winter will be here before you know it. Luckily, our mild winters here in Arizona allow us to grow vibrant flowers and plants in our landscape beds throughout the fall and winter seasons. And not only do they look great in your garden beds, but these colors can also make a great complement to holiday themes.
If you like the idea of growing winter annuals, now is the perfect time to start planting. And with over 10 years of installing flowers for commercial and residential property owners, we know flower installation. Our service area includes Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, and surrounding areas in Arizona. If you're nearby, we'd be happy to enliven your property with these winter annuals. Call us at to schedule your fall or winter flower installation!
Welcome to Little John’s Lawns! We are a family-owned company that specializes in providing professional lawn maintenance, lawn care, pest control, and irrigation services in Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, and Queen Creek, AZ.