“The months of June and July are a great time for Valley landscapes because the plants that enjoy the heat are in full swing with color,” says landscape designer Haley Tew. Here, she shares three of her favorite decadent summer bloomers, guaranteed to give your landscape a splash of color as you settle in for the warm weather.

ROSENKA BOUGAINVILLEA

(Bougainvillea ‘Rosenka’)
Offering an incredible blend of peach tones, ‘Rosenka’ is a showy alternative to its famous scarlet cousin, the Barbara Karst. “Rosenka is a fresh take on a classic and pairs wonderfully with the warm tones of natural stone pavers that are slowly but surely coming back into style,” Tew says.

PLANT FACTS:

TYPE: Evergreen shrub
SIZE: 1′-2’H by 3′-4’W
BLOOMS: Summer; clusters of showy pink flowers
WATER NEEDS: Low; deep watering every 2-3 weeks
ELEVATION: USDA Zones 10-11
ATTRACTS: Butterflies; hummingbirds
SOIL: Well-drained
LIGHT: Full sun
MAINTENANCE: Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat or containers.

SPANISH LAVENDER 

(Lavendula stoechas)
This is an excellent alternative to its larger cousins, fern leaf lavender (Lavendula multifida) and French lavender (Lavendula dentate). Its compact size makes it versatile enough for courtyards and smaller planting areas where color is desired. “Spanish lavender has the same relaxing fragrance as other, more common lavender varieties,” Tew notes, “but is not usually used for cuttings as the blooms do not have a long stem.”

PLANT FACTS:

TYPE: Evergreen shrub
SIZE: 2’H by 2′-4’W
BLOOMS: Late summer/early fall; flowers resemble miniature purple pineapples
WATER NEEDS: Low; water 1-2 times per week
ELEVATION: USDA Zones 7-10
ATTRACTS: Bees; repels mosquitos
SOIL: Well-drained
LIGHT: Full sun
MAINTENANCE: Prune annually after blooming cycle

TANGERINE BEAUTY CROSSVINE

(Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’)
This is a vine that loves Arizona’s hot temperatures. The striking and prolific blooms boast an ombre palette from deep pink, to a fuchsia, to orange, finishing with a sunny yellow center. “The deep green leaves frame the blooms and are an attractive backdrop even while the plant is in an off-blooming season,” Tew raves. “Because this is a hardy vine, it is a popular choice to soften property lines, accent trellis structures and bring color to large blank walls.”

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PLANT FACTS:

TYPE: Flowering vine
SIZE: 1′-2’H by 30’L
BLOOMS: Late spring through summer; tangerine/orange bell-shaped flowers
WATER NEEDS: Moderate; requires watering multiple times per week
ELEVATION: USDA Zones 6-9
ATTRACTS: Hummingbirds; butterflies
SOIL: Acidic, well-drained
LIGHT: Full sun/partial morning or afternoon shade
MAINTENANCE: Prune as needed to maintain desired size