Nevada’s scorching summers and dry climate can be tough on plants, but some flowers are built to thrive. After years of testing in my Las Vegas garden, these 19 heat-loving bloomers have proven their resilience.
From silvery leaves that reflect sunlight to deep roots that find hidden moisture, their survival tricks are impressive. Many even bloom more vividly when temps soar past 100°F.
Whether you’re gardening in Henderson or Reno, these tough beauties need little water and attract pollinators—perfect for vibrant, low-maintenance summer color.
1. Desert Marigold
Looking like little suns dancing above silvery foliage, these native wildflowers laugh in the face of triple-digit temperatures. Their deep taproots help them survive extended droughts by reaching far down for moisture.
Plant them in well-draining soil and resist the urge to overwater. My neighbor’s desert marigolds reseeded themselves for three consecutive years without any help!
2. Bougainvillea
These showstoppers aren’t actually flowering as you might think! The vibrant ‘blooms’ are actually modified leaves called bracts that surround tiny white flowers. Their woody vines can climb 20+ feet when happy.
Give them full sun and let the soil dry between waterings. Last summer, our pink bougainvillea covered an entire fence after just two seasons of growth.
3. Lantana
Heat makes lantana happy! These multi-colored clusters of tiny blooms keep producing from spring until the first frost, creating a buffet for butterflies and hummingbirds throughout summer.
Trim them back in early spring for bushier growth. The lantana in my front yard survived an accidental two-week watering system failure during July without dropping a single flower—truly remarkable resilience.
4. Red Yucca
Don’t let the name fool you—this isn’t a true yucca but a related desert plant with dramatic coral-pink flower stalks that rise 4-6 feet above graceful, arching foliage. Hummingbirds can’t resist the tubular blooms!
Plant in a spot with excellent drainage and minimal irrigation. My red yucca has bloomed reliably for five years with almost zero maintenance, even during our record-breaking heat waves.
5. Mexican Bird Of Paradise
Exotic-looking orange and red blooms with long, dramatic stamens make this shrub look like it belongs in a tropical paradise rather than a desert garden. Yet it thrives in Nevada’s intense summer heat.
Prune after the first flowering to encourage a second round of blooms. During last summer’s 118°F heatwave, my Mexican bird of paradise was the only plant in the garden that seemed completely unfazed by the extreme conditions.
6. Blanket Flower
Cheerful daisy-like blooms in fiery sunset colors keep coming all summer long, even as temperatures climb. Their fuzzy, gray-green foliage helps them conserve moisture in the driest conditions.
Deadhead spent flowers to keep them blooming continuously. I’ve noticed that my blanket flowers actually produce more vibrant colors during heat waves than in cooler weather—nature’s way of adapting to harsh conditions.
7. Desert Willow
Not a true willow but a flowering desert tree that produces waves of orchid-like blooms throughout summer. The trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, lavender, and white attract hummingbirds by the dozen.
Once established, desert willows need minimal supplemental water. My neighbor’s 15-foot specimen creates a beautiful flowering canopy that provides dappled shade for more delicate plants beneath it.
8. Globe Mallow
These native wildflowers produce masses of cup-shaped orange blooms above silvery foliage. Their fuzzy leaves help them reflect sunlight and conserve precious moisture during the hottest months.
Plant in poor, well-draining soil for best flowering. After watching a colony of globe mallows thrive in an abandoned lot with no irrigation whatsoever, I gained new respect for their incredible desert adaptations.
9. Tecoma Stans
Commonly called Yellow Bells, this shrub explodes with clusters of bright yellow trumpet flowers that seem to glow against the deep green foliage. The more heat it gets, the more profusely it blooms!
Prune in late winter to maintain shape and size. During a particularly brutal August, my tecoma created such a spectacular flowering display that passing neighbors stopped to take photos nearly every day.
10. Autumn Sage
Despite its name, this perennial sage blooms from spring through fall, producing spikes of red, pink, or purple tubular flowers that hummingbirds find irresistible. The aromatic foliage deters deer and rabbits.
Cut back by one-third in midsummer for a fresh flush of blooms. I’ve grown autumn sage in the hottest corner of my yard—against a west-facing wall that reflects intense afternoon heat—and it performs beautifully year after year.
11. Penstemon
Native penstemons send up spectacular spikes of tubular flowers in shades ranging from scarlet to electric blue. Their specialized leaves and stems help them thrive in Nevada’s harsh conditions with minimal water.
Plant in groups for maximum visual impact. The firecracker penstemon in my front yard garden has become a neighborhood landmark each spring when its brilliant red blooms create a living flame effect against the desert landscape.
12. Verbena
Low-growing and heat-loving, verbenas create carpets of purple, pink, or white flowers that spill over garden edges and container rims. Their flat-topped flower clusters attract butterflies throughout the hottest months.
Plant in full sun for best flowering. After watching my purple verbena survive and bloom through a summer when temperatures exceeded 110°F for 30 consecutive days, I became convinced there’s no better plant for adding reliable color to challenging spots.
13. Russian Sage
Clouds of tiny lavender-blue flowers hover above silvery foliage, creating a dreamy, hazy effect in the landscape. This woody perennial looks delicate but handles brutal heat and drought with remarkable grace.
Give it room to spread—mature plants can reach 4 feet tall and wide. The Russian sage planted alongside my driveway not only survived but thrived during water restrictions, while requiring absolutely zero supplemental irrigation once established.
14. Angelita Daisy
Cheerful yellow flowers on slender stems dance above tufts of grass-like foliage year-round in mild-winter areas. These native daisies keep blooming through summer’s worst heat waves without complaint.
Space plants 12-18 inches apart to form a colorful groundcover. My front walkway is lined with angelita daisies that have bloomed continuously for three years, providing a sunny welcome regardless of outside temperatures.
15. Gaura
Often called Whirling Butterflies, these airy plants produce masses of white or pink flowers that dance in the slightest breeze. Their drought tolerance comes from deep taproots that seek out moisture far below the surface.
Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. The gaura along my garden path creates a magical effect at sunset when its dancing blooms catch the golden light and seem to float above the landscape like tiny butterflies.
16. Blackfoot Daisy
These native perennials form tidy mounds covered with small white daisies with yellow centers. Their compact size makes them perfect for rock gardens and border edges in hot, dry landscapes.
Plant in poor, gravelly soil for best performance. My blackfoot daisies have become the stars of my front yard xeriscape, blooming non-stop from March through November despite receiving almost no supplemental water during summer months.
17. Desert Mariposa Lily
These enchanting native bulbs produce cup-shaped flowers in shades of purple, yellow, or white, often with intricate spotted patterns inside. They’ve evolved to complete their life cycle before summer’s worst heat arrives.
Plant bulbs in fall for spring blooms. Finding a cluster of wild mariposa lilies blooming after a spring rain during a hike in Red Rock Canyon changed my perspective on desert beauty forever—they’re living proof that delicate beauty can emerge from harsh conditions.
18. Damianita
This compact evergreen shrub becomes completely covered with bright yellow daisy-like flowers in spring and fall. Its tiny, aromatic leaves contain oils that help it retain moisture during extreme heat.
Avoid overwatering to prevent root problems. The damianita in my rock garden has formed a perfect golden dome each blooming season for years, requiring absolutely no maintenance beyond an occasional light pruning to maintain its neat shape.
19. Sacred Datura
Enormous trumpet-shaped white flowers unfurl at dusk, releasing an intoxicating fragrance that attracts night-flying moths. The dramatic 8-inch blooms seem almost otherworldly against the coarse foliage.
Give plants plenty of space—they can spread 4 feet wide. Watching sacred datura flowers open at sunset from my patio has become a summer evening ritual, like witnessing a slow-motion natural fireworks display as each massive bloom unfurls.