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February Plant Highlights

As winter wanes and spring approaches, February in Tucson is a spectacular time to enjoy the unique beauty of plants that thrive in the desert Southwest. Here are ten plants that bloom during this month, bringing color and life to your garden.

Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora)

This stunning native shrub or small tree is a showstopper in February with its clusters of deep purple, grape-scented flowers. The flowers not only bring vibrant color but also a delightful fragrance that can perfume the entire garden. Its evergreen foliage adds structure and beauty throughout the year, making it a versatile choice for any landscape.

The Texas Mountain Laurel is highly drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. While it grows slowly, the effort is worth it for its stunning blooms and hardy nature. It’s an excellent choice for xeriscaping, and once established, it requires minimal maintenance beyond occasional pruning.

Chuparosa (Justicia californica)

Known for its vibrant tubular red flowers, Chuparosa is a favorite among hummingbirds. This desert native is well-suited to Tucson’s arid climate and thrives on neglect, blooming profusely in February, especially after winter rains. Its sprawling habit makes it an excellent ground cover or border plant for desert landscapes.

Chuparosa’s foliage ranges from green to gray-green, depending on water availability. It prefers full sun and rocky or sandy soils, making it ideal for xeriscaping. As an added bonus, it’s highly drought-tolerant and can survive long dry spells, making it a low-maintenance yet rewarding addition to your garden.

Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii)

With its tall spikes of bright red flowers, Firecracker Penstemon provides striking vertical interest in the garden. This perennial blooms early in the year, drawing in pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. Its vibrant flowers are especially eye-catching against the muted tones of the desert landscape.

Firecracker Penstemon thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, making it an excellent choice for desert gardens. Once established, it requires little water and minimal care, although deadheading spent blooms can encourage more flowering. This hardy plant is perfect for adding a splash of red to your winter and early spring garden.

Valentine Emu Bush (Eremophila maculata 'Valentine')

This Australian native is a standout with its deep red, tubular flowers blooming heavily in February. Its lush evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, but it truly shines in late winter and early spring. The vibrant flowers attract hummingbirds, making it a dynamic addition to your garden.

Valentine Emu Bush is highly drought-tolerant and thrives in hot, dry conditions, making it well-suited to Tucson’s climate. Plant it in full sun for best results, and enjoy its low-maintenance nature. Occasional pruning can help maintain its shape and encourage dense growth.

Lilac Vine (Hardenbergia violacea)

Often called the “Happy Wanderer,” Hardenbergia blooms in February with stunning clusters of purple, pea-shaped flowers. This vigorous vine thrives in Tucson’s climate, climbing fences and trellises to provide vertical interest. Its lush green foliage offers year-round beauty, but it truly shines when covered in blooms.

Hardenbergia prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance addition to desert gardens. Occasional pruning can help control its growth and encourage a more prolific bloom.

Peach Trees (Prunus persica)

While often associated with spring, many peach varieties begin to bloom in February in Tucson’s mild climate. Their delicate pink blossoms add a romantic touch to any garden and signal the start of the fruiting season. Peach trees are a beautiful and practical addition to edible landscapes.

These trees require full sun and regular watering to thrive in desert conditions. Proper pruning in late winter helps shape the tree and promote healthy fruit production. With the right care, peach trees can produce an abundance of fruit while enhancing your garden’s aesthetic appeal.

Parry’s Penstemon (Penstemon parryi)

Parry’s Penstemon is another February favorite, producing elegant spikes of pink to magenta flowers. Its blooms attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly gardens. This wildflower’s vibrant color provides a stunning contrast to desert neutrals.

Like other penstemons, Parry’s Penstemon prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It’s relatively low-maintenance, requiring only occasional watering once established. Deadheading can extend the bloom period, and its seeds can self-sow, ensuring a recurring display of flowers in years to come.

Desert Senna (Senna artemisioides)

This drought-tolerant shrub produces bright yellow flowers in late winter and early spring, creating a cheerful display in the landscape. Its feathery gray-green foliage provides additional interest, even when the plant is not in bloom. Desert Senna is well-adapted to Tucson’s arid climate and thrives with minimal care.

Desert Senna grows best in full sun and poor, rocky soils, making it ideal for xeriscaping. It’s a great choice for adding color to desert gardens, and its flowers attract pollinators, further enhancing its ecological value. This hardy plant is perfect for low-maintenance landscaping.

Potato Vine (Solanum jasminoides)

This fast-growing, evergreen vine blooms in February with clusters of small, star-shaped white flowers. Its vigorous growth makes it an excellent choice for covering trellises, fences, or walls, adding vertical interest to your garden. The potato vine’s blooms are lightly fragrant, adding another dimension to its appeal.

Potato vine grows best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It’s relatively low-maintenance but benefits from occasional pruning to control its growth and shape. With proper care, this versatile vine can provide year-round greenery and seasonal blooms.

Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)

Geraniums are a versatile and colorful choice for Tucson gardens in February. Their vibrant flowers come in shades of red, pink, purple, and white, brightening up containers, borders, and garden beds. Geraniums are easy to grow and adapt well to the desert climate with proper care.

These plants thrive in full sun to partial shade and require well-drained soil. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming, and they benefit from consistent but moderate watering. Geraniums are perfect for adding pops of color to your February garden.

With these plants, your Tucson garden can burst with color and vitality even in February, showcasing the unique beauty of the desert landscape.