How and What to Plant in Dry, Sunny Spots

There are hot climates and then there are HOT climates. The SW corner of Utah is extremely hot and dry, and unfortunately, much of the article does not apply. For example, I love succulents but they have a very difficult time in the constant sun, heat and humidity. Gopher plants are okay but most of the other beautiful varieties, not so much. Cactus and agaves are great but don’t add too much in the way of flowers other than in late winter/early spring. I have found a couple flowering plants that do thrive: salvia, Mexican petunias and lantana. Otherwise, it’s tough.

In my Bullhead City yard, which is hot and windy, my prickly pear cacti do very well, with a plethora of spring blooms. Yellow bells and Mexican bird of paradise bloom much of the year. Red yucca has beautiful flowers on tall stalks. My yellow barrel cactus add a pop of color. My chaste bushes have purple flowers several times a year, but lose their leaves in the winter. Yes, landscaping in the desert can be challenging, but there are many options! Like mtnpeep, my lantana & Mexican petunia do well, but rabbits might eat some of them.

My thoughts herein are based on 60 years of gardening. The first section of this article lists three situations that severely limit plant selection. A south facing, windy, sandy hillside can be great garden spot when you get regular rain, but it can be a barren hell in a hot and dry climate. Know your climate and soil. And know that more extreme situations do better with native plants, especially if you intend not to irrigate.

Microclimates are key to increasing plant variety. My climate is hot with dry summers but nonetheless high humidity. Many plants that do well with dry tend to sulk in mid-summer here. Afternoon shade is a life saver for them. You can plant many full sun plants and all part shade plants where buildings or trees provide part shade or dappled shade.

Walls, fences and hedges can also provide part shade when oriented north-south, but as the author notes east-west walls, fences and hedges have a hot southern exposure and a shady northern side. One book I own describes the shade at the base of a north facing wall as being the equivalent of medium shade as long as there is no overhanging tree or structure. Plants that tolerate a wide range of sun/shade, such as daylilies will do well, and many shade lovers are exceptional here.

But the key to success is figuring out which plant grows the best in a particular spot. Do your best to research preferences, but if a plant doesn't grow well in a spot after a year, move it somewhere else and replace it with another type. Gardening is a process. Plants grow and you have to rearrange your garden to accommodate. Severe weather in the form of extra cold or dry or hot can kill plants that should have survived.