Utah’s dry climate might seem tough on plants, but there are plenty of blooming beauties that absolutely thrive in it.
I’ve filled my garden with flowers that don’t mind the heat or low rainfall—and they’ve rewarded me with color for months. These drought-tolerant champs are perfect for keeping things vibrant without constant watering.
If you’re after a low-fuss, high-impact garden, these are the flowers for you. Let’s check out the blooms that are made for Utah sunshine!
1. Lavender
The heavenly scent wafting through Utah gardens might just be this purple beauty. Lavender thrives in our state’s sunny, arid conditions with minimal fuss.
Plant it in well-draining soil and watch it attract butterflies while repelling deer. Once established, it barely needs watering and rewards you with fragrant blooms for years.
2. Russian Sage
Wispy silver-blue foliage creates a stunning contrast against Utah’s red rock landscapes. This hardy perennial laughs at our state’s summer heat while producing clouds of tiny lavender-blue flowers.
Bees absolutely adore it! Give it full sun and well-draining soil, then step back and enjoy the show with almost zero maintenance required.
3. Yarrow
Flat-topped flower clusters in shades from white to yellow to deep red make this plant a showstopper. Throughout Utah’s growing season, yarrow keeps producing blooms that are perfect for cutting and drying.
Its ferny foliage stays attractive even when not flowering. Native to our state’s mountains, it handles poor soil and drought with remarkable resilience.
4. Penstemon
Hummingbirds zoom straight to these tubular blooms that brighten Utah gardens from spring through summer. With over 280 species, you’ll find penstemons in nearly every color imaginable.
Many varieties are native to our state’s desert regions. Once established, they shrug off drought and poor soil while producing spectacular flower spikes year after year.
5. Sedum
Succulent leaves store water like tiny reservoirs, making this plant perfectly adapted to Utah’s dry spells. In late summer, flat clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers emerge in pinks and reds.
Planted in our state’s rocky areas, sedum creates a living carpet that changes color with the seasons. Even beginning gardeners find success with these forgiving plants.
6. Salvia
Spikes of intensely colored blooms stand tall in Utah gardens from early summer until frost. Hummingbirds and butterflies can’t resist the nectar-rich flowers in shades of blue, purple, and red.
Native to our state’s dry regions, salvias need almost no supplemental water once established. Their aromatic foliage naturally repels deer and rabbits while attracting beneficial pollinators.
7. Coreopsis
Cheerful daisy-like flowers in gold, yellow, and russet tones brighten Utah landscapes all summer long. These easy-going plants self-seed readily, creating natural drifts of color.
Even in our state’s intense summer heat, coreopsis keeps blooming with minimal care. Deadheading spent flowers encourages even more blooms through the season.
8. Agastache
Anise hyssop fills Utah gardens with a delightful licorice scent that pollinators find irresistible. Tall spikes of tubular flowers in purples, oranges, and pinks bloom for months on end.
Our state’s dry conditions and poor soils don’t bother this tough plant at all. The aromatic leaves make wonderful tea, while the flowers provide a pop of color even in the hottest parts of summer.
9. Blanket Flower
Fiery sunset colors dance atop sturdy stems from early summer until frost. Utah gardeners love how these native wildflowers thrive in our state’s harsh conditions without pampering.
Blanket flowers actually perform better without rich soil or extra water. Their daisy-like blooms with red centers and yellow-tipped petals attract butterflies while brightening even the driest garden spots.
10. Catmint
Soft gray-green foliage creates the perfect backdrop for the lavender-blue flower spikes that appear in waves all season. Unlike its cousin catnip, cats generally leave this Utah garden favorite alone.
Throughout our state, catmint thrives in hot, dry conditions where other plants struggle. A light shearing after the first bloom encourages a second flush of flowers that lasts until fall.
11. Jupiter’s Beard
Clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers create a frothy display of pink or red that lasts for months. Utah gardeners appreciate how this Mediterranean native reseeds itself without becoming invasive.
In our state’s alkaline soils, Jupiter’s Beard thrives where other plants fail. The deep taproot makes it incredibly drought-tolerant once established, perfect for water-wise gardens.
12. Desert Marigold
Bright yellow blooms seem to float above silvery foliage, creating a magical effect in Utah’s desert gardens. This native wildflower starts blooming in spring and continues through fall with minimal care.
Throughout our state’s hottest regions, desert marigold provides reliable color. The papery flowers dance in the slightest breeze, bringing movement and cheer to xeriscape landscapes.
13. Evening Primrose
Large, fragrant yellow blooms open at dusk, creating a magical nighttime display in Utah gardens. These native wildflowers spread slowly to form attractive colonies that thrive with almost no care.
In our state’s harsh conditions, evening primrose performs beautifully. The flowers attract sphinx moths, creating a fascinating pollination show as twilight falls across your garden.
14. Red Hot Poker
Torch-like flower spikes in fiery oranges and yellows create dramatic vertical accents in Utah landscapes. Hummingbirds zoom straight to these nectar-rich blooms that appear in early summer.
Across our state, these South African natives thrive in the dry conditions. Their grass-like foliage stays attractive year-round, providing winter interest long after the flowers have faded.
15. Chocolate Flower
Morning visitors to Utah gardens are greeted by the unmistakable scent of chocolate wafting from these yellow daisy-like blooms. The fragrance is strongest in the morning before fading as the day heats up.
Native to our state’s desert regions, these perennials thrive in poor soil and hot sun. The chocolate-scented flowers appear from spring through fall, attracting bees and butterflies.
16. Globe Mallow
Papery orange blooms cover these native shrubs in spring, creating splashes of color across Utah’s desert landscapes. The soft gray-green foliage provides year-round interest between flowering periods.
Throughout our state’s driest regions, globe mallow thrives without irrigation. These tough natives actually perform better without extra water, making them perfect for neglected garden corners.
17. Yucca
Dramatic spikes of creamy white flowers rise above rosettes of sword-like leaves, creating architectural interest in Utah gardens. These nighttime bloomers attract specialized moths that ensure pollination.
Native to our state’s harshest environments, yuccas survive where little else will grow. Once established, they require zero supplemental water while providing year-round structure and summer flowers.