We’ve all stopped once or twice to admire someone’s gorgeous yard! Yet, if you’re a resident of Utah, this could prove to be a bit more challenging.
So what flowers grow well in Utah? The flowers that bloom well in Utah include perennials like daylilies, beebalm, and anemones. You’ll also likely find annuals, like marigolds, pansies, and cosmos.
In this article, we’ll talk about what flowers grow well in Utah and the conditions they need to be healthy.
Keep reading!
The Gardening Conditions In Utah
Arid climate is widespread across Utah. This means the weather is extremely hot and dry in the summer. Then, in the winter, most of the state gets covered in a thin layer of frost.
In Utah, the United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zones range from 4a in the north to 9a in the south. Additionally, Utah’s soil is either too sandy or too muddy. Moreover, the soil is quite deficient in the organic material which nourishes the flowers.
That’s why flowers that grow in the state should be durable and withstand harsh weather conditions.
Perennial Flowers That Grow Well in Utah
While perennial flowers might die after one season, their root systems are still alive beneath the soil. This way, when conditions are suitable again, they rebloom.
Perennials that thrive in Utah include:
Daylilies
One of the well-adapted flowers to Utah’s weather is daylilies. Ideally, these blooms flourish in moderately moist soil with high organic material content and partial shade. However, daylilies can handle the extreme weather and water scarcity found in Utah.
Their beautiful golden yellow flower blooms from early summer in June to early fall in September. They also grow well in the United States Department of Agriculture zones from 3 to 9.
Beginners love this flower because they’re low-maintenance. All it needs is some attention every now and then, and they’ll shower your garden with blooms.
Lavender
The beautiful purple fragrant flower makes a great addition to your garden.
Lavender will bloom in Utah’s USDA zones 5 to 8 from mid-June to late September. The flower can grow well in partial sunlight but needs at least 5 hours in direct sunlight.
Luckily, Utah’s well-drained sandy soil is perfect for lavender, especially English lavender. Nevertheless, you should note that lavender doesn’t do well in Utah’s mountain regions because of the extreme cold.
Mountain Beebalm
As the name suggests, mountain beebalm will grow in the elevated areas of Utah. These flowers will blossom through July and thrive all summer in USDA zones ranging from 3 to 9.
Beebalm can use a little compost in the soil as it blooms best in organically rich moist conditions. Moreover, they need 3 to 4 hours of full sun and are incredibly drought-friendly.
Adding beebalm to your garden will attract pollinators like hummingbirds and bees. They play an excellent role in keeping your plants diverse and blooming.
Black-Eyed Susan
This golden-yellow beauty will stand out in your house garden. It grows in USDA zones of 3–9 from mid-June till the end of the summer.
The flower is drought-resistant, making it the perfect choice for Utah’s hot, dry weather. Plus, you only need to water it once a week, which means less hassle.
The one drawback is that it can get a bit invasive. Also, as the flower grows, it tends to overtake other plants in your garden. So, make sure you keep it regularly trimmed.
Anemones
The charming white color of this wildflower can be a major attraction in your garden. It blossoms in September during the early fall in hardiness zones 3 to 8.
Unlike most flowers, anemones don’t do well in the sun. They much prefer being in shady or dim-lit areas.
As for the soil, the flower grows in well-drained, moist soil and could also benefit from some compost.
Annual Flowers That Grow Well in Utah
Annuals add vibrant eye-catchy colors to your garden. However, you’ll need to repurchase them every season, which might not be cost-efficient.
Many annuals grow well in Utah, such as:
Marigolds
Marigolds thrive in almost any landscape. They bloom in early summer in June until the frost begins. Plus, they have an impressive ability to withstand both freezing and hot weather, so they don’t mind Utah’s dry climate.
The planting soil for marigolds should be well-drained and loamy. Adding organic material to your soil should it become loamy, thus making it suitable for Marigolds.
Remember that these flowers need approximately 4 to 5 hours of sunlight daily. In addition, they flourish in zones from 2 to 11.
Celosia
Celosia is one of the few flowers that grow vertically, making it suitable for small spaces. It’s also known as the Cock’s comb because it looks a lot like a rooster’s comb.
Celosia is highly durable and can resist disease and the harsh conditions found in Utah.
The flower will grow in about any type of soil, which makes them suitable for beginners. They prefer partial shade, where they’ll typically bloom from summer to early fall in hardiness zones of 9 to 11.
Pansies
Pansies have an incredible ability to bloom nearly all year long. They’re extremely low-maintenance and easy to care for.
Additionally, these flowers will grow in poor soil, window boxes, or plant pots. Thus, you could easily use pansies as a ground cover under shrubs and flower beds.
They typically grow in zones between 7 and 10. Unfortunately, pansies aren’t pest-resistant, so you’ll need to use pesticides often.
Four O’clock Flowers
These annuals grow in USDA zones from 7 to 10. They bloom in late summer and last until the first frost.
It’s worth noting that these flowers can be a bit needy. They require moist, highly organic, and well-drained soil to bloom. On top of that, they need constant sunlight.
However, four o’clocks have the advantage of being highly disease and pest-resistant. So, they’re a good choice for beginners.
Cosmos
Cosmos should be your summer in Utah go-to. They come in various colors, including white, pink, and red.
The flowers will sprout in a short duration. They first appear in the middle of June and will last until the first weeks of winter.
They grow in a wide range of hardiness zones from 2 to 11 in well-drained soil and prefer being in full sun.
Tips for Planting in Utah
Here are some valuable gardening tips to keep in mind.
1. Add Compost
Utah’s soil is mostly sand or clay. This means the soil lacks the organic matter needed for certain blooms to grow and thrive.
To fix this problem, it’s recommended you add compost. This will help cut back on the need for chemical fertilizers. In addition, compost boosts the production of good bacteria and fungi in the soil.
One of the best types of compost available is chicken manure. It’s completely organic and contains high nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content that provide your plants with all the necessary nutrients.
2. Use Humate
The soil in Utah is high in potassium and other harsh minerals. So, using compost on its own isn’t enough to keep plants thriving.
To compensate, you need to use humic substances that further activate the soil and add the beneficial microorganisms that the plants need to grow and survive.
Humic substances also work by preserving the water content in your soil. So, they’re well-hydrated in the harsh heat of the Utah sun.
3. Till the Soil
Once you have your seeds, experts advise that you plant them right away. For best results, it’s better to start by digging a hole about six inches deep. This is what gardeners refer to as ‘tilling.’
This technique helps boost root growth, stabilize the plant, and control weeds. Plus, it also helps the roots access more nutrients and water.
Conclusion: What Flowers Grow Well In Utah
The arid weather in Utah can be a buzz-kill when it comes to planting your own flower set. This begs the question: what flowers grow well in Utah?
Luckily, you have a wide array of flowering plants that grow well in Utah, including perennials and annuals. From Black-eyed Susans capable of withstanding the heat and water shortage to the anemones that prefer to bloom in the fall when it’s cooler.
Use our guide to help you decide which flowers best suit your gardening needs. Whether you’re a gardening pro or you’ve just recently picked up gardening, filling your yard with some of these plants will turn your yard into a sanctuary.
Happy tilling!
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