11 Beautiful Arizona Flowering Shrubs And Trees

Arizona is known for The Grand Canyon and its dry, desert climate. Many people struggle to find beautiful, flowering plants they can grow while living in Arizona.

However, you can grow various plants while living in the desert. We have researched eleven beautiful flowering plants and can tell you all about them.

This article will discuss eleven flowering trees and shrubs you can grow in Arizona. These plants include:

  1. Blue Jacaranda - purple flowering trees native to Brazil
  2. Red Bird of Paradise - flowering shrub that grows orange-red flowers
  3. Orchid Tree - pink, purple, or white orchid-like flowers that attract hummingbirds
  4. Cape Honeysuckle - has orange flowers and can grow to be eight feet tall
  5. Bottle Tree - has bell-shaped flowers that come in white or pink
  6. Radiation Lantana - orange-red flowers that are pest-resistant
  7. Coral Gum Eucalyptus - shade tree that produces multi-colored blossoms
  8. Mexican Honeysuckle - small shrub native to Mexico that will have orange flowers year-round
  9. Southern Magnolia - a tree that is native to the United States that has gorgeous white flowers
  10. Katie Ruellia - easy to grow shrub with breathtaking lavender flowers
  11. Desert Willow - tree with a twisted trunk that can have dark purple or pink flowers

Now that you know the variety of trees and shrubs you can grow in Arizona, continue reading to learn more about these plants. Let's discuss them below!

Gorgeous Orange cape honeysuckles blooming nicely at the garden, 11 Beautiful Arizona Flowering Shrubs And Trees

1. Blue Jacaranda

Jacaranda trees have beautiful purple flowers and large leaves. They are excellent shade trees, which is vital in extremely hot Arizona.

These trees are native to Brazil. However, the best place in Arizona for these trees in Phoenix. They are most commonly used at golf courses.

Blue Jacaranda trees blooming

When in their native tropical environment, trees bloom in the spring and summer. However, they only bloom for a couple of weeks in May when grown in Arizona.

Keep in mind that only trees that are over eight years old will flower. If planted inside, they will not bloom.

2. Red Bird Of Paradise

Bird of Paradise blooms flower blooming on a hot summer day

Red Bird of Paradise grows quickly and can grow to ten feet tall in areas with no frost. The plant's spread will be approximately equal to its height. This plant grows best in Tuscon, Arizona.

It is heat resistant and requires full sun. Be aware that it will drop its leaves if the temperature drops below freezing.

Bird of Paradise will have orange-red or yellow flowers and sometimes can have yellow or orange on the tips. This plant will only flower once it reaches about four years old. It flowers from March to October.

3. Orchid Tree

A beautiful purple colored Orchid tree at the garden

Hong Kong orchid trees grow well in low desert areas like Phoenix, Arizona. They can grow up to 30 feet or be cut down into a shorter tree or bush.

Orchid trees can be grown as shrubs or a tree. To encourage them to grow tall like trees, you must prune them regularly and use stakes.

Most of them have dark purple flowers that look like orchids and flower from January to May. However, they can have white or pink flowers as well. These flowers will attract hummingbirds.

They need to be in a place where they have shade in the afternoon and are protected from windchill.

One important thing to note is that orchid trees are sensitive to the salt in Phoenix's water, so it is recommended that they are watered with flood irrigation to prevent salt from gathering around the roots.

For the first 90 days, you need to water these trees 1.5 hours a day; then, you can follow a regular watering schedule.

4. Cape Honeysuckle

Beautiful orange cape honeysuckle blooming at the garden

Cape honeysuckle flowers are orange and bloom in the winter. These flowers are typically found in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. In cooler climates, the flowers will be redder.

Honeysuckle will flower its second year after sprouting from seed.

People often grow it as a hedge. It will grow up to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. This plant uses a moderate amount of water and should be planted in full sun or partial shade.

5. Bottle Tree

Bottle trees grow best in Phoenix and southern areas in Arizona. During the early and late spring, the tree grows gorgeous bell-shaped flowers that can be white or pink.

Keep in mind that this tree drops its leaves before flowering.

One of the benefits of this plant is that it makes an excellent shade tree. They can grow to be as tall as 50 feet. Bottle trees grow slowly and require a moderate amount of water.

During the summer, bottle trees need to be watered weekly.

6. Radiation Lantana

Radiation lantana comes in brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow. The flower's bright colors attract hummingbirds and butterflies while resistant to pests and deer.

Lantana flowers will also act as a mosquito repellent for your yard.

This shrub only grows to be about five feet and grows well in Tuscon, Arizona. It will flower in the spring, summer, and fall. Radiation lantana likes intense heat and will grow well in planters.

7. Coral Gum Eucalyptus

Coral Gum Eucalyptus trees have pink or rose-colored blossoms with purple or red pods. It is a relatively small tree and will only reach a maximum height of 35 feet.

After planting from seed, it takes this tree two years to be established well enough to flower. It will have flowers year-round, with most blossoms appearing during late spring, summer, and the early fall.

Unlike many of the desert plants on this list, coral gum eucalyptus trees are frost and heat resistant.

These blossoms make a ton of nectar. As a result, these kinds of trees will leave your yard filled with bees and hummingbirds.

8. Mexican Honeysuckle

Mexican honeysuckle has bright orange flowers and grows exceptionally well in warm climates like Arizona. One of this shrub's most significant benefits is that it will flower all year long, provided it is warm enough.

This plant will give blossoms during its first year. However, it won't reach its full blossoming potential until about three years after it is planted.

It does not give off a fragrance as other flowers do, so it is a good option for someone who wants a beautiful flower without having their yard smell floral.

Even though it lacks fragrance, it will attract hummingbirds.

If you live in a low desert area, it will do best in lightly shaded areas, such as under a tree. It is a low-maintenance plant and doesn't need pruning often.

9. Southern Magnolia

A plantation of Magnolia Grandiflora at a park

Southern magnolia trees are commonly grown in Mesa, Phoenix, and Queen's Creek. They do well in heat up to 107  degrees Fahrenheit and are frost resistant.

A downside to these plants is that they can take as long as ten years before they blossom. However, the wait is well worth the show it puts on.

They have gorgeous, fragrant white flowers and are native to the United States. Magnolia trees flower between May and June. In Phoenix, they can grow to be as tall as 50 feet.

10. Katie Ruellia

Katie Ruellia flowers come in pink, purple, or white. It is a small shrub, only growing up to 10 inches tall with a twelve-inch spread. Its small size means it reaches maturity within two months and will flower at this point.

This plant is native to Mexico and the Southern United States. In Phoenix, it likes to be kept in areas with a little bit of shade.

The Katie Ruellia will continue to bloom as long as it is warm. People love to use this plant as ground cover and in planting boxes or pots.

This shrub uses little water once it is established and requires little maintenance. It prefers partial to full sun, and cutting it back in the wintertime will encourage better growth.

11. Desert Willow

Beautiful desert willow plant at the garden

Desert willows are native to the Southwest United States and the Mojave desert. They prefer to be grown at more than 4900 feet above sea level elevations.

The blossoms are dark purple or pink, with a streak of yellow or white color running through them. You can see these flowers during the time between spring and fall.

This tree is smaller and will only grow to be 25 feet tall. It grows about 13 inches annually and will take approximately 15 to 20 years to achieve its full height.

Because this plant is a desert, it likes to be in full sunlight. It should get at least six hours of sunlight a day.

Final Thoughts

Gorgeous Orange cape honeysuckles blooming nicely at the garden

This article explored eleven of the most beautiful flowering shrubs and trees you can grow in Arizona. We also discussed where these plants could be grown and essential information about each one.

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One comment

  1. Thank you! The information was great. Our area is in a drought plus last year we had far more 100 plus days than under 100 degrees. Too bad it isn’t posted where the trees can be obtained at a descendant price. Most are ridiculously priced that I have seen

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