5 Annuals to Use in Your Las Vegas Landscape

While native perennials, such as sunflowers, violets, roses and poppies, are easier to care for in many cases, you’ll also want to talk to a Las Vegas landscaper about adding some easy-to-grow annuals to your Vegas landscape. Planting annuals is a great way to add seasonal interest to your yard.

While there are many different choices, you’ll want to consider these five that naturally rise to the top. Before making a final choice, be sure that you can provide the sunlight, water and nutrients that particular species of annual needs.

Ageratums

There are more than 40 species of ageratums that may be ideal for landscapes in Las Vegas. While you can find white, pink, and purple options, the most common choice is blue. You will love this option, often called the floss flower, because tubular flowers cover the whole plant. While this plant is native to Mexico and Central America, the best options are hybrids. You can find options growing from 12 to 38 inches tall. Depending on the exact hybrid chosen, this plant has heart-shaped or oval leaves, but you may not notice them because of how profusely this plant flowers from early spring through fall.

These flowers love the sun, but they will tolerate some shade. This plant loves to be kept damp, but it will tolerate some dry periods. You can grow it in a flower box on the patio or plant it directly into the ground. Shorter options often look great when planted as a sidewalk border. If you are growing it in a planter, then fertilizer it regularly. You can deadhead this plant, but it is not necessary as new growth will push dead flowers out of their way.

Cosmos

Planting cosmos may be the best answer if you are a gardener who often struggles to find time to garden. When considering your landscaping in Las Vegas, this is an excellent choice for areas where you have poor soil. Plant them where you can see them out your windows as they will attract butterflies and birds to your yard. These plants do best in drier conditions as they will form more blooms and less foliage.

You can find many cosmos hybrids in a variety of colors, and you can find bicolor options. While most have single daisy-like blooms, you can also find choices that have double flowers. These plants often grow to be about 18 inches tall but shorter and taller hybrids are available. If you choose a taller option, consider placing it by a fence where it is protected from the wind, or you may need to stake it as it grows. You can direct sow them into the ground in mid-February, and they will start blooming in about seven weeks. They also make an excellent option for container gardens. While these plants are considered annuals, you need to deadhead them because they have been known to self-seed and come back the following year.

Marigolds

Marigolds are beautiful flowers to incorporate into your Las Vegas landscaping. Think about where you want to grow these flowers as most love the full sun, but some hybrids appreciate a little afternoon shade. Marigolds will thrive in average or poor soil as long as it drains well. If you are choosing to plant your marigolds in a container, ensure that it drains well. Don’t fertilize your marigolds, or they will put on lots of foliage and very few blooms.

While your mind may instantly think of a yellow carnation-like flower when you consider marigolds, there are many different hybrids. If you choose to grow tall American marigolds, then get them in the ground in mid to late February. You can plant Signet and French marigolds a little bit later when soil temperatures have warmed up a little. You will need to water your marigolds every other day until they start to grow. Then, ensure that they get a drink at least once a week. While you will need to do minimal work with French or Signet marigolds, you should deadhead American marigolds to encourage new blooms.

Periwinkles

Periwinkle, also called creeping myrtle and vinca, is an excellent ground cover for landscapes in Las Vegas. Most hybrids have dark green, leathery leaves and grow to be between 6 and 18-inches tall. These are sun-loving flowers, but they will tolerate a little shade if necessary. They love sandy loam soil that drains well. You should plant periwinkle when evening temperatures stay above 60 degrees. Apply a slow-release fertilizer when you plant this option. If you decide to grow it in a pot, then you’ll need to fertilize more often. Only water this plant when the top of the ground feels dry, or it will become boggy.

Periwinkle will start blooming in June and bloom through to fall. Therefore, it is a great choice to include in your landscaping because it puts on a show when other plants are often starting to fade. If you notice that your periwinkle is not blooming well, then thin it out a bit so that the remainder gets more sunlight to its roots.

Zinnias

You can find a large number of zinnia hybrids that are easy to grow in Las Vegas. Single-flowered zinnias have many petals surrounding a visible center that is often contrasting to the petals. Double-flowered zinnias have two rows of petals that completely hide the center. Semi-double zinnias have two rows of petals, but you can still see the center. They also come in different shapes, with some looking like beehives, buttons, or cactuses.

Directly sew zinnia seeds into the ground when the minimum daytime temperature is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. These are sun-loving plants that need excellent air circulation. While zinnias will tolerate most growing conditions, they prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. You should plant more zinnia seeds to extend their beauty about every week. They should be deadheaded after each plant blooms as this will encourage new buds to appear.

Why Hire a Professional to Create Your Las Vegas Landscape

Many people do not have the proper knowledge on how to plant favorite Las Vegas annuals. Each requires that you plant it precisely in the right conditions to thrive. Others find it hard to give annuals the proper time and attention they need throughout the growing season. Still, other people do not understand how to properly group plants together so that each will make the largest impact on your landscaping. Those people should not avoid planting annuals. Instead, hire a landscaper in Las Vegas to help you.

Contact Wet-Tec today about your Las Vegas landscape.