The Extreme Arizona Landscape
Landscaping companies in Arizona face unique climate challenges because the climate ranges from subalpine to tropical desert. An array of ornamental plants can grow in Arizona but very few plants grow satisfactory over the entire range of growing conditions found in Arizona. So landscaping companies in Arizona have to know how the local climate influences plant growth and which ornamental plants grow well in the areas they are servicing.
The unique landscapes and weather patterns in Arizona require landscaping ideas and designs that include plants that are capable of growing in a specific zone. There are five active weather zones in Arizona which include:
- Zone 1-cold mountainous regions with elevations between 6,000 and 8,000 feet.
- Zone 2-cool plateau highlands with elevations between 4,000 and 6,000 feet.
- Zone 3-high altitude desert with elevations between 3,500 and 5,000 feet.
- Zone 4-mid altitude desert with elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 feet.
- Zone 5-low altitude desert with elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 feet.
Numerous climate factors determine the kinds of plants that will grow in a given zone. These include minimum winter temperatures and frost occurrence, maximum summer temperatures, rainfall amount and distribution, humidity, day length and light intensity.
Plants perform differently within given zones due to changes in elevation within a single zone and corresponding cooler or warmer climates. In addition, climates of adjoining zones grade into one another near their boundaries making it possible to grow plants that are normally too cold tender for the rest of the zone.
A microclimate plays a role in determining the plants that will grow in a given landscape. Microclimates form as a result of the local terrain like hills and valleys as well as structures, paved roads, hedges that change airflow patterns and modify the local climate.
Including microclimates, Arizona landscapers have to cope with fourteen different biomes, or similar climate zones that have everything from extreme temperature ranges to lack of rain. Short growing seasons to high elevations to subzero temperatures to triple digit heat all conspire to challenge Arizona landscapers.
No matter where you live in Arizona it is possible to have a unique landscape, one that is inviting and interesting, one that the whole family will want to spend time in. Do your homework, consult professional landscaping companies and implement the right landscaping ideas for your region.
