From Granite Dells to Groom Creek: Top 10 Flowers for Local Soil – Ken Lain

If you have spent any time with a shovel in Prescott, you know we live in a tale of two soils. Whether you are digging into the decomposed granite of the Granite Dells or the rich, pine-needle mulch of Groom Creek, August is a golden opportunity for your garden. I often tell folks that our local soil is not ‘bad,’ it is just waiting for the right partner. The secret to a green thumb isn’t in the shovel; it’s in understanding the ground beneath your boots and picking the plants that love our mountain air as much as we do.

The good news? August is the perfect time to plant. The summer rains have softened the ground, and the air is cooling just enough for roots to settle in for the rest of the year. Here are my top 10 picks that thrive in our unique neighborhood dirt.

1. Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)

This is my “indestructible” pick for the Granite Dells. It loves the heat and the sharp drainage of rocky soil. It comes in brilliant reds and corals, and the hummingbirds will fight over it. Give it full sun and watch it bloom until the first hard frost.

2. Reblooming Iris

I call these the “Prescott Purple” and beyond. August is the prime time to divide and plant Iris. They don’t mind our alkaline soil, and because they store energy in their rhizomes, they are incredibly drought-tolerant once established.

3. Russian Sage (Perovskia)

If you have “rubble” instead of soil, plant Russian Sage. It features airy, lavender-blue spikes and silvery foliage. It actually prefers the lean, mean soil of the Dells and requires almost zero maintenance once it finds its footing.

4. Coneflower (Echinacea)

A staple for the Groom Creek gardener. These perennials love the slightly richer, dappled-shade environments found under the tall pines. They are tough, butterfly magnets, and their deep roots help break up heavier forest soils.

5. Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

This native-style bloomer is a “firewheel” of red and yellow. It is a champion of poor soil. If you have a spot where nothing else grows because the soil is too “sandy” or rocky, the Blanket Flower will happily move in.

6. Grace N’ Grit Roses

Forget everything you know about “fussy” roses. These shrub roses are disease-resistant and self-pruning. They thrive in our mountain sun. I recommend amending your hole with Watters Premium Mulch to help the soil hold just enough moisture for those big, repeat blooms.

7. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

These are the “happy faces” of the August garden. They are particularly well-suited for the transition areas between the Dells and Groom Creek. They handle clay or grit with ease, provided they get a good drink during the dry spells.

8. Catmint (Nepeta)

‘Walker’s Low’ is the variety I swear by. It creates a soft, purple mound that smells like heaven (if you’re a human or a cat). It is highly resistant to deer and javelina, making it a must-have for those of us living on the edge of the forest.

Pro Tip: Javelina Resistant Plant List

9. Portulaca (Moss Rose)

For those hot, rocky pockets in the Dells where the sun reflects off the boulders, Portulaca is your best friend. It’s a succulent-like annual that carpet-blooms in neon colors. It thrives on neglect and high heat.

10. Zinnias

If you want instant gratification, Zinnias are the answer. Plant them now, and you’ll have cut flowers for your kitchen table through October. They aren’t picky about soil, but they do love a bit of Watters Flower Power food every two weeks to keep the colors vibrant.

The Secret Sauce: Soil Preparation

No matter which flower you choose, the “Ken Lain Rule” applies: Never plant a $10 plant in a $2 hole. For our granite soils, mix one part Watters Premium Mulch with two parts of your native soil. This adds the “organic glue” needed to hold onto water. In the heavier forest soils of Groom Creek, that same mulch helps provide the aeration your roots need to breathe.

Stop by the garden center this week, I’ll be the one with the dirt under my fingernails, ready to show you exactly which of these beauties will look best over your garden fence.

Free Gardening Classes Every Saturday @ 9:30 am

Join us for these upcoming topics:

1. August 8: Bug-Free Blooms for Stunning Gardens
2. August 15: Hot Weather Blooms for Vibrant Prescott Gardens
3. August 22: From Newbie to Arizona Garden Pro

Until next week, I’ll be helping gardeners with bug-free gardens here at Watters Garden Center.

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Flowers.com