Fall Planting Guide for Arizona: The Best Trees, Shrubs and Flowers

(updated 11/03/25)

After more than three decades of landscaping here in the Valley, I've learned that timing makes such a big impact when it comes to optimal planting conditions in Arizona. While we do install landscapes year-round for our clients, there are some special challenges that come with planting in the heat of summer or the frost-prone nights of mid-winter.

Fall is absolutely the sweet spot for getting new plants established in our Arizona desert climate which is one of the reasons why it's one of our busiest times of year. I really do look forward to scheduling projects for fall installation. The difference in plant establishment and long-term success is really remarkable.

Why Fall is Prime Time for Arizona Planting

The beauty of fall planting in Arizona really comes down to timing and temperature. Once we get into late September and October, our nighttime temperatures start dropping into the 70s and 80s, which gives plants a chance to actually recover from the stress of being transplanted. During those brutal summer months, plants are basically in survival mode 24/7 - they can't focus any energy on establishing new root systems when they're just trying to stay alive.

Key benefits of fall planting:

• 30-40% less water usage compared to summer installations

• Plants get 6-7 months of mild weather to establish roots

• Reduced transplant shock from cooler temperatures

• Better survival rates overall

• Lower maintenance requirements during establishment

  
  

What really gets me excited about fall planting is how much less stress it puts on both the plants and homeowners. Your new landscape has time to develop strong root systems that can actually handle our intense summers when they roll around again.

My Go-/To Trees for Fall Installation

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After installing hundreds of trees across Gilbert, Chandler, Scottsdale and the East Valley, I've got some definite favorites that perform consistently well with fall planting.

Shade Trees:

• Mastic - These are small dense evergreen shrubs or small trees which are slow-growing and drought-tolerant

• Ash - Fast-growing decidious tree, handles alkaline soil, provides excellent filtered shade. They are more prone to beetles however so you need to keep a good eye on their health.

• Chinese and Evergreen Elms - Establish much better without summer heat stress, these trees are semi-evergreen to deciduous depending on how low temperatures get.

  
  

Citrus Trees: For citrus trees, fall planting is really a great time for success, as long as you get them in the ground by November at the latest. They do really well with that cool weather as it gives the roots time to establish and become strong before temperatures drop in the winter. The key to success with citrus trees is protecting them from extreme temperatures. Both scorching summer days and our occasional winter freezes can stress and potentially damage these trees but with proper protection, they are both hearty and beautiful year-round.

Because of Arizona's warm climate, most citrus trees do really well here. One of my favorite things about my own two orange trees is that I get to have fresh, ripe oranges for the toes of our family's Christmas stockings. That's usually our first pick of the season and they are definitely worth the wait. Other popular citrus trees that grow well in the Phoenix metro include:

• Valencia oranges

• Ruby Red grapefruit

• Meyer lemons

• Tangerines and mandarins

Desert Trees: These trees are obviously well-adapted and will survive almost any planting time, but even they establish more easily when they don't have to deal with extreme heat right away. Some of my favorites include:

• Palo Verde varieties

• Mesquite (Chilean, Argentine)

• Desert Willow

• Ironwood

Shrubs That Thrive with Fall Planting

This is where I get really excited because shrubs are often the backbone of a well-designed Arizona landscape. They provide that year-round structure and color that makes outdoor spaces feel complete.

Flowering Shrubs:

• Yellow Bells - Beautiful yellow blooms almost year-round, extremely heat tolerant once established, they are easy to care for but do require regular maintenance and trimming

• Orange Jubilee - This cousin to the yellow bells has gorgeous orange trumpet flowers which attracts hummingbirds. Hearty but also require regular maintenance

  

• Red Fairy Duster - Native option with unique red blooms that look almost like bottle brushes

• Chuparosa - Another hummingbird magnet, this plant has red tubular flowers and is is drought-tolerant

  
  

Formal and Structured Options:

• Boxwood Beauty - Classic, refined look for traditional designs with white star shaped flowers that bloom spring through the fall

• Rosemary varieties - Fragrant, edible, and drought tolerant, these upright shrubs

• Lavender - Multiple varieties that handle Arizona heat, look and smell beautiful

Fragrant Choices:

• Arabian Jasmine - Incredible evening fragrance, really benefits from fall establishment to avoid transplant shock

• Orange Blossom - Sweet citrus scent, this is a dwarf plant which is best planted in late fall once nights cool and monsoon moisture has passed

• Night-blooming Cereus - Dramatic white flower that only blooms at night, this plant is really considered a cactus

Architectural Elements:

• Agave varieties - Blue Agave, Century Plant, Artichoke Agave

• Desert Spoon - Dramatic sculptural form with a silvery blue foliage

• Ocotillo - Unique desert character, this requires deep but infrequent watering

  
  

Don't overlook agave for dramatic architectural elements. While most people think of agave as being tough enough to plant anytime, fall installation allows them to establish without stress. I use agave as an accent in a lot of my hardscape designs as they pair beautifully with stone, pottery, and create stunning sculptural elements. I have have a pair in my own front yard and they contrast nicely to the sleek and contemporary blue pots in which they are planted.

Fall Flowers That Actually Work in Arizona

Let's be honest - flowering annuals in Arizona can be a gorgeous addition to your landscape but also a little tricky. Most of the country is winding down their flower gardens in fall, but we're just getting started.

Winter Annual Favorites:

• Pansies - Beautiful, vibrant and consistent bloomers through mild winters, they last until late April as long as they are protected from frost or extreme heat

• Petunias - These provide months of color and are best planted September to December as they don't well endure the summer heat

• Snapdragons - Tall varieties add vertical interest, these come in a variety of colors and also do best when planted in the fall when threat of intense heat is gone

• Geraniums - Best to plant in late October/early November when nights are consistently in the 60s to plant

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A Quick Word About Fall Grass Renovation

Since we're talking about fall planting, I should mention that fall is also when most of us scalp our summer Bermuda grass and overseed with rye for winter color. This is a whole process that deserves its own detailed discussion - which I've actually covered in another blog post specifically about overseeding timing and techniques. Click here.

Basic Timeline:

• EARLY October: Scalp dried Bermuda grass

• Seed with perennial rye immediately after scalping

• Keep soil consistently moist for 2-3 weeks

• Timing is crucial - too early and Bermuda outcompetes rye, too late and rye won't establish

Making Fall Planting Work in Your Landscape

Here's something I've learned from managing hundreds of landscape installations: success isn't just about what you plant, it's about how you prepare the planting area and manage water during establishment.

Soil Preparation Essentials:

• Address caliche drainage issues before planting

• Add soil amendments where needed

• Ensure proper grade and drainage away from structures

  
  

Our hard caliche soil is very clay-like and notorious for poor drainage. Fall planting won't save plants from sitting in waterlogged soil. This is especially important in areas like parts of Chandler and Gilbert where the caliche layer is particularly stubborn.

Environmental Considerations:

• Provide wind protection for newly planted trees and shrubs by adding stakes when appropriate

• Account for reflected heat from hardscape and structures

• Plan irrigation zones for different plant water needs

  
  

A windy Arizona day can be brutal on newly planted trees and shrubs. I will often add tree stakes to young trees and keep them there for at least one full growing season or sometimes longer. The goals is to give the tree time to establish a strong root system so that when removed, the tree is able to successfully stand on it's own.

Planning Your Fall Landscape Project

If you're thinking about a landscape renovation or new installation, start planning now. Business picks up for most landscapers and the best nurseries get picked over pretty quickly once everyone realizes fall is prime planting season.

Timeline for Success:

• Late August to September: Start design process and plant selection

• September: Finalize plans and order specialty plants

• October-November: Optimal planting window

• November-December: Continue with cool-season annuals

  
  

One thing I always tell my clients is to start the design process early so we can get the design finalized, plants ordered, and construction scheduled for optimal installation timing. Sadly, every fall I have at least one person reach out late in the season wanting a last-minute landscape remodel project done before company comes for the holidays. It's dissappointing when they realize the good local landscape contractors are already booked out too far, their desired plants aren't readily available, or their hopeful project deadlines just aren't feasible.

Project Planning Tips:

• Focus on structural plants first (trees and major shrubs)

• Don't try to do everything at once

• Plan irrigation modifications for new plantings

• Consider seasonal color as a separate phase

  
  

The other consideration is irrigation. If you're installing new plants, you'll need to adjust your watering schedule and possibly modify your drip system or sprinkler zones. Fall-planted materials need consistent moisture for the first few months, but not the deep, frequent watering that summer installations require.

Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?

Fall planting in Arizona really is a game-changer - I've seen the difference it makes in plant survival rates and long-term landscape success. Whether you're looking to add some shade trees and create colorful shrub borders, or establish a complete landscape from scratch, timing your installation for fall gives you an excellent chance for success.

If you're in the Phoenix Metro area and ready to start planning your fall landscape project, I'd love to chat with you about your vision. Every property is unique, and there's nothing quite like walking a space with a homeowner and talking through the possibilities. Click the link below to schedule your free consultation - let's create an outdoor space you'll love for years to come.

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