• Arizona is an ideal environment for plants that require minimal water.desert plants image by Carol Tomalty from Fotolia.com
  
  Arizona, located in the American Southwest, is renowned for its desert landscape. The state's harsh climate--temperatures regularly reaching over 100 degrees in the summer, with cold nights in other seasons--is a challenge to the gardener. You must find plants that are fully adapted to the state’s desert conditions. Xeriscapes of plants with low water requirements will thrive in Arizona's extreme climate.
  
  

Mexican Bird of Paradise

• The bird of paradise thrives in Arizona's warm and dry climate.bird of paradise image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  Native to the sub-tropics and tropics of South America, the Mexican bird of paradise is an ornamental perennial shrub. This dramatic plant has become a popular in gardens throughout Arizona, as the state's warm climate offers it ideal conditions. The bird of paradise grows to a height of 4 to 8 feet and attracts bees, butterflies and birds. Drought tolerant, the plant requires minimal watering. One brief watering per week with a garden hose will suffice. The large blooms, which resemble a bird in profile, are bright orange-yellow with red streaks, complemented by spikes of orange and blue.
  
  

Black-eyed Susan

• Black-eyed Susans can survive on rainfall alone, but appreciate a weekly sprinkle from the hose on hot days.black-eyed susans image by tim elliott from Fotolia.com
  
  The black-eyed Susan is a quintessential American wildflower, and Arizona is an ideal home for this venerable plant species. Black-eyed Susans, characterized by a dark center and bright yellow petals, are full-sun plants. Biennial, the plant lives for two years before needing to be reseeded. The black-eyed Susan can usually survive on precipitation alone. However, summers in Arizona are particularly harsh, so you should water once per week using a garden hose. Ten seconds of watering time will suffice.
  
  

Pinyon Pine

• The pinyon pine is an evergreen tree native to Arizona’s Sonoran Valley. The tree grows on average from 10 to 30 feet tall, and produces pine cones and muted green pine needles. Plant your pinyon pine in high-quality, quick-draining soil. Often used as a Christmas tree in Arizona due to its fragrance and cone shape, the tree is extremely drought tolerant and requires little to no manual watering.
  
  

Sonoran Catclaw

• The Sonoran catclaw tree, known scientifically as Acaia occidentalis, is a native of Arizona. Capable of reaching over 40 feet in height, the catclaw is well accustomed to the state's harsh environment. The tree blooms in white flowers through March and May. Plant your catclaw tree in quality, quick-draining soil. Drought resistant, the tree will flourish on the water from precipitation. In particularly dry spells, if your catclaw needs water, water once per week with a garden hose, letting the water run for about a minute.
  
  

Lantana

• Lantana plants provide sweet scent and vibrance to your Arizona garden.lantana image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com
  
  The lantana is an ideal flowering plant for outdoor planting in Arizona. Native to the Americas and Africa, lantanas are renowned for their fragrant bloom clusters of vibrant colors such as yellow and red. These hardy full-sun plants do best in quality soil with good drainage and thrive in torrid, dry areas, making them perfect for the intense Arizona climate. A perennial, lantana will grow over several seasons to a height of 4 feet. These drought-resistant plants require minimal watering. With weekly precipitation, manual watering is not necessary. In a dry spell, place a garden hose at the base of your plant for 10 seconds to provide adequate moisture.
  
  

Oleander

• Bright-flowered oleander does well in the Arizona heat.oleander plant image by Kathy Burns from Fotolia.com
  
  Oleander is an evergreen shrub that blooms throughout the summer into fall. Oleanders produce a plethora of colorful blooms ranging in colors from pink to pure white. Plant in full sun and provide quality, well-draining soil. Because the plant produces poisonous oils, do not plant it in the vicinity of young children. Oleander does well in both dry and marshy soils. Water only once per week by placing a garden hose at the base of your plant and letting the water run for 20 seconds. Oleander loves heat, making Arizona an ideal environment. In Arizona, oleander can grow up to 12 feet tall because of the intense sun.