by Kristen West
create an aesthetic garden with purposeful plantings in a monochromatic colorway or an organized rainbow of hues
NEW MEXICO’S CLIMATE PRESENTS a unique opportunity to showcase a beautiful garden that bursts with color while thriving in arid conditions. Choosing the right plants can feel overwhelming, but with thoughtful planning and a deliberate color palette, you can design a garden with a unified blend rather than a mismatched patchwork of flowers.
The first step begins with deciding what kind of visual vibe you’re after, says Kyleigh Serna, the purchasing specialist at Plant World in Albuquerque. Monochromatic gardens evoke a sense of serenity and sophistication with similar hues, while a rainbow-inspired palette creates a bolder, more energetic display.
It’s also important to consider sun exposure because not all plants have the same exposure needs. “See if your garden gets full or partial sun or is in total shade, and then look for flowers that thrive in that environment,” Serna says.
For a summer, sunny garden, purple is a popular choice because many native plants naturally bloom in rich violet and lavender hues. Rocky Mountain penstemon, a sun-loving plant with vibrant blue-purple spikes, attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and offers longlasting color with minimal watering. Pair it with desert four o’clock, known for its magenta, trumpetshaped flowers that bloom in the late afternoon, or for a calming, fragrant touch add lavender.
Coneflowers are another versatile option. Available in a variety of colors, they attract bees, butterflies and songbirds, and can help create height in layered garden beds. Use taller plants or shrubs like the Mister Lincoln hybrid tea rose in the center, surrounded by mid-height flowers like coneflowers and finish with low-growing or spilling blooms like petunias. Choosing varieties in similar hues—reds, pinks and purples, for example—helps reinforce that harmonized look.
For shady beds, heucheras and ajugas are colorful, hardy fillers. Kaleidoscope abelia, with its variegated foliage and white spring flowers, offers multi-season blooms. Combine it with long-blooming daylilies or a rose of Sharon, which produces large, hibiscus-like flowers in late summer. For structure and contrast, intersperse silver-toned plants like silver sage.
If a rainbow-inspired palette is more your style, there are plenty of plants that offer a mix of summer color. The key is to group the plants in intentional color sections, preferably in threes, rather than scattering them randomly. Coneflowers offer multiple color options and are easy to blend across a spectrum, and the Joseph’s Coat rose is great for garden beds with space for a climbing feature.
For smaller beds, the Rudy’s Rainbow buddleia, commonly known as butterfly bush, delivers a big impact with three different bloom colors on a single plant. Incorporate daylilies, Kaleidoscope abelia and rose of Sharon for consistent, colorful blooms throughout the season.
The biggest mistake many gardeners make is underestimating water needs, says Serna. So, when in doubt, water more often. Add a drip irrigation system to create timed watering without excess water waste and use mulch with decomposed granite or organic matter to retain moisture and suppress weeds. When purchasing your plants, read the tags for information on sun exposure and watering needs, and Serna says that it’s helpful to talk to the experts at your local nursery who will have a deeper knowledge.
By pairing thoughtful color choices with an awareness of sun exposure, height variation and bloom times, you can create a flower garden that not only survives the desert heat but also flourishes with purpose and personality.
Picking your color palette
Rainbow
Joseph’s Coat rose
Rudy’s Rainbow buddleia
Coneflowers
Kaleidoscope abelia
Zinnias
Foliage
Kaleidoscope abelia
Ajuga
Heuchera
Artemisia
Lamb’s ear
Yellows & Oranges
Blanket flower
Daylilies
California poppy
Coreopsis
Butterfly weed
Zinnias
Purples & Blues
Rocky Mountain penstemon
Desert four o’clock
Lavender
Autumn sage
Ajuga
Heuchera
Russian sage
Blue flax
Reds & Pinks
Mister Lincoln hybrid tea rose
Coneflowers
Petunias
Rose of Sharon
Beardtongue
Red yucca
