Index of Gardening in Spain

African Daisy (Arctotis)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain
Plants originated in southern Africa. Arctotis species have lobed leaves that are rough, hairy or woolly. Their flower heads usually have a contrasting ring of colour around their central eye. Come in a variety of colours: White, pink, orange, yellow, and red.

Low growing, plant for mass colour, 2 plants can quickly cover an entire planter bed. Beautiful for the border where the flowers are produced in profusion throughout the summer, and excellent for cutting.

Western Bitterweed (Hymenoxys odorata)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

Golden yellow flowers on stems to 1 feet (30 cm) high. Narrow, grassy, aromatic leaves form small tufts about 8 inches (20 cm) tall and 1 foot (30 cm) wide.

Somewhat similar to thrift (Armeria) in appearance. Flowers have rays with notched edges. Attractive in containers. Plant always flowers even in full 38° C sun; it doesn't care - it will grow in a crack in the concrete!

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

This is an annual gaillardia. It is a low-growing, colourful plant with flowers in warm colours that appears fringed. Stems are single and arise from a taproot. Plant is 1.5 to 2 feet (45 to 60 cm) tall and 1 ft. (30 cm) wide. Flowers come in warm shades of red, yellow, and gold. Easy to grow. Come in single and double flowered varieties.

Butter Daisy (Melampodium paludosum)

Ideal for Gardening in Spain

This annual grows from 8 to 24 inches (20 to 60 cm) tall, with equal spread, and produces abundant, yellow, daisy-like flowers. It does best in full sun and well-drained soil. It excels in the heat and dry conditions of the summer. Very easy to grow.

Cockscomb (Celosia cristata)

Ideal for Gardening in Spain
They are annual plants of tropical origin and grow well in both humid and arid conditions. Their flowers can last for up to 8 weeks and a high number of seeds can be produced by each flower. The plant often grows up to 1 foot (30 cm) in height, though many are smaller. They come in red, purple, orange, and yellow. They like full sun and look gorgeous in beds and as edgings.

Coleus 'Big blonde'
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

This coleus, believe it or not, will take 42° C full, hot sun. They can tolerate both low humidity or high humidity, it doesn't matter.

’Big Blonde’ is a very large plant that grows up to three feet (90 cm) tall and 12 to 14 inches (30 to 36 cm) wide. It has yellow-green foliage and dark-colored stems providing a nice contrast.

Cosmos bipinnatus and C. sulfureus
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

Cosmos grows best in the worst conditions - hot and dry. This is why cosmos is one of the best possible annuals for tough to grow climates like ours. It comes in an abundant variety of sizes from dwarf that are only 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) tall, to very tall that are 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 1 m) tall. It makes a good cut flower, and re-seeds readily.

Comes in many flower colours such as red, white, yellow, gold, crest red, candy stripe, pink, dark pink, and more. They are profuse bloomers and always covered in flowers.

Dahlberg Daisy (Dyssodia tenuiloba)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

Dahlberg daisies have dainty yellow flowers and thrive in hot conditions in full sun. They grow to approximately 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) tall and as wide.

They have thread-like, aromatic foliage that is mostly hidden by masses of daisy-like, golden-yellow flowers on these low annuals. Good edgings for borders and colourful additions to rock gardens. Excellent cut flowers.

Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

Dusty miller makes an attractive foliage plant that works well in the garden and its grey foliage makes it a good plant for bringing other plants together. These plants have very decorative silver leaves that are finely divided. They come in many varieties.

Fanflower (Scaevola aemula)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

This plant is an evergreen herbaceous perennial from Australia. Some forms are prostrate, others upright to 2.5 feet (76 cm) tall and spreading 3 ft (90 cm) across. It produces masses of blue, lilac or white flowers with yellow throats on open spikes throughout the spring and summer. The flowers are about 1 in (2.5 cm) across and the five petals are in a half circle, all on one side, which makes them look like little hand fans. You will get your money's worth in 1 season of bloom because it blooms its head off!

Gazania (Gazania rigens)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

A typical daisy like flower up to about 10cm across. This trailing plant comes in a host of colours. Gazanias are tender perennials grown as an annual in harsher climates. If you shear the flowers every month or so to get rid of spent flowers, it is a pleasant and effortless ground cover. The flowers close in the evening or on dark overcast days.

Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

Annual plant from Central America. The rounded flowers of the globe amaranth look like brilliant purple clover, though it may come in other colours such as white, pink, and lavender.

As well as being a tough survivor in the heat, globe amaranth makes a good plant for drying. Stiffly branching plants to 2 feet (60 cm) tall and 1 foot (30 cm) wide. Profuse bloomers.

Helenium 'Dakota Gold'
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

North American native that grows 12 to14 in. (30 to 35 cm) tall and 15 to 16 in. (38 to 40 cm) wide, with bright golden daisy-like flowers and fine-textured green foliage. Each plant has a compact mounded habit, making it great for mass plantings or as a border plant. Tough and vigorous – the plants do well in high heat, with, but tolerate cool conditions as well. A perfect choice for landscape plantings!

Typically brown-centered flowers with yellow, orange, red, or copper rays. Come in a wide variety of sizes.

Lantana
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

Lantana 'New Gold' thrives in up to 40° C heat and needs little water, and blooms solidly through the summer.

Other lantana varieties such as Lantana camara hybrids are fast growing and are valued for a profuse show of colour over a long season.

Comes in a wide variety of size and colours. Shrubby kinds are good for low hedges or in beds or containers. Spreading kinds are excellent ground covers.

Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

Native to Mexico and Central America this plant has velvety green leaves and spectacular, gaudy flowers. Grows quickly to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide. Flowers have orange-scarlet rays and tufted yellow centers. Can be used as a temporary screen.

Moss Verbena (Verbena tenuisecta)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

From South America, grows 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) tall and 2 to 5 feet (0.60 to 1.5 m) wide. Finely cut, dark green leaves, with blue, purple or violet flowers. 'Alba' is white flowered.

Its low-growing, spreading growth makes it an ideal drought-resistant ground cover. Moss verbena establishes easily and tolerates poor soils and drought. Makes a great nectar plant for butterflies and honey bees.

Phlox 'Intensia'
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

This plant starts flowering about March and will bloom until July. It will then rest, then bloom again. Some have said theirs just flowered to death, which it does here occasionally.

For 6 months of heavy blooms you can't beat it. It's a bouquet in the garden. Grows 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) tall and as wide. Comes in light pink, white, lavender, lilac, neon pink, dark pink, and striped. Attracts butterflies.

Rose Moss (Portulaca grandiflora)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

Rose moss is very tolerant of summer heat. It is a low growing, succulent plant that comes in an array of bright and intermediate shades of red, rose, pink, orange, white, and yellow. Comes in single or double flowered varieties. Grows to 6 inches (15 cm) tall and 1.5 feet (45 cm) wide. Flowers are shaped like mini roses.

Summer Snapdragon (Angelonia)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

This plant looks like a mini snapdragon or delphinium. Showy 8 inch (20 cm) tall spikes come in small blue, purple, pink or white flowers. Spikes appear on top of plants that are 1 to 1.5 feet (30 to 45 cm) tall and as wide. Excellent bedding plant, also good in containers. Long lasting cut flower.

'Serena white', the best Angelonia on the market, even in 42° C weather, in full sun, the white flowers look perfect and clean, it never turns brown, is always in flower, doesn't flop and doesn't need staking.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

The familiar yellow giant, the sunflower, can grow to 10 feet (3 m) or taller and makes a striking backdrop. Other varieties are dwarf, growing only to 10 inches (25 cm) tall. Many varieties come in orange and reddish shades with single or double-fluffy flowers such as 'Teddy Bear'.

Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

A wonderful, tough plant grown for its foliage. Tuberous roots with a trailing habit. Comes in many fancy-leafed forms that vary in size: from 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long, and in shape: from heart shaped to deeply lobed.

Comes with many different leaf colours: Purple, black, medium green, burgundy, golden-green, and white-pink variegation. Attractive as hanging baskets.

Texas Bluebells (Lisianthus / Eustoma)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

Although native to the high plains, plants grow better where nights are warm. Often grown as a cut flower for its long stems.

A 1 foot (30 cm) wide clump of gray-green foliage sends up 1 to 3 feet (0.3 to 1 m) tall stems topped by tulip-shaped flowers that come in purple-blue, pink, or white. Flowers all summer long if old flowers are cut off. Comes in single or double flowered forms.

Vinca (Catharanthus roseus)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

Thrives in hot, dry or humid climates. Glossy green leaves cover a bushy plant 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) tall and as wide. Flowers in pure white, white with rose, blush pink, or bright rose. Flowers all summer long. Comes in both upright and prostrate forms.

Wishbone Flower (Torenia)
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

This is normally considered a shade plant, but it is often grown in full sun, in 42° C, heat and yet this plant does just fine. They come in both bushy and upright varieties and trailing types.

They will mound up, and if they get too tall, just cut them down. It is a great plant for full sun or shade, hanging baskets or containers.

Zinnia
Ideal for Gardening in Spain

Zinnias are colourful, easy to grow, and attract birds and insects. The flowers, at most 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide, come in many different colours and are semi-double to double flowering.