Well hey there, desert dwellers! Tim Burr reporting for duty, your traveling tree-hugger, sun-soaker, and honorary Scottsdale resident. Now, I know what you’re thinking:

“Tim… July? Really? You want me to plant things when my mailbox melts at noon?”

You betcha.

Because with the right plants, the right prep, and a right-on attitude (preferably with iced water nearby), July can be an excellent month to get new landscape plants into the ground. Sure, it’s hot. Hotter than a Minnesota sauna with the thermostat stuck. But it’s also a month full of opportunity, especially if you’re leaning into the desert’s natural rhythms.

Today, I’m walking you through everything you need to know, from planting times, to soil tips, to the best heat-loving plants in the Valley. Put on your sun hat (and maybe borrow my flannel for shade) and let’s get into it.

Why July Planting Matters in the Phoenix Valley

July might be the hottest, driest, boss-level challenge of the Arizona calendar—but that doesn’t mean landscaping stops. In fact:

• Many desert plants love heat.
• Monsoon moisture can help new plants establish.
• Landscapes installed in July look incredible by fall.
• And if you're using the right species, July isn't something to fear—it’s something to work WITH.

The Phoenix Valley was built on resilience, right? Your landscape can be, too.

The Best Plants to Plant in July in Scottsdale-Phoenix

Here’s the deal: July planting is all about choosing the desert’s toughest customers. Plants that don’t just survive heat, they sip it like lemonade on a porch swing.

These beauties are heat-proven, drought-adapted, and available at Three Timbers Shop right now:

Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora): Hummingbirds go wild for the tall coral-red flower spikes, and its grassy texture adds class to any desert landscape.

Lantana (All Colors): Color that laughs in the face of 115°F. Fast-growing, bright, and nearly impossible to kill.

Desert Marigold: Yellow year-round and low water. If this plant were a person, it would be that friend who thrives no matter what life throws at them.

Agave Varieties: Smooth, spiky, sculptural agaves are the Kardashians of the desert landscape. Beautiful, dramatic, and photogenic from every angle.

Desert Willow: Orchid-like flowers on a small, fast-growing desert tree? Yes please.

Fairy Duster: Pink powder-puff blooms irresistible to pollinators and kids alike.

Prickly Pear Cactus: Iconic Arizona vibes. Plus, edible fruit!

Texas Sage: Explodes with purple blooms after monsoon rain like it’s throwing its own garden party.

Palo Verde: Green bark, airy shade, Arizona royalty.

Chuparosa: Thrives on heat and neglect. A landscaper’s dream.

Damianita: Compact, fragrant, sunny, and tough.

Trailing Rosemary: Yes, it’s edible. No, it doesn’t need much water. Yes, it looks great spilling over walls.

Bougainvillea (Dwarf Varieties): If you want drama, this is your plant. Fiery color in the heat.

Golden Barrel Cactus: A perfect globe of desert beauty.

Desert Ironwood: A truly native tree, strong, rugged, and graceful.

These are the plants built for July. Built for heat. Built for your yard.

Soil Prep in Arizona (Tim Burr Approved)

Let’s talk dirt, because Arizona soil ain’t exactly the fluffy potting mix you buy at the garden center. Nope. In the Valley, you’re often working with:

• Clay
• Sand
• And… CALICHE
  (Nature’s version of concrete. And she mixed it strong.)

Here’s how to win the battle:

1. Break Through Caliche

Tools that work:

• Pickaxe
• Digging bar
• Jackhammer (my personal favorite… because power tools)
• Auger

If your shovel hits a surface that “klinks” instead of “thunks,” you’ve found caliche. Break it. Your plants will thank you.

2. Add Proper Amendments

Blend 20% compost into the planting area. Desert plants don’t like rich “fluffy” soil, their roots want something that drains well and retains some moisture without suffocating.

3. Build a Basin

This is crucial. Build a wide watering well so water goes DOWN to the roots, not running off like it’s late for work.

4. Pre-Soak the Hole

Fill it with water the day before, especially in sunbaked yards. A softened hole makes root establishment 10x easier.

Using Decorative Rock as Mulch

Mulch in Arizona? Not bark. Not wood chips. They break down faster than you can say “monsoon season.”

Instead, we use decorative rock, and it works beautifully.

Benefits:

• Prevents weed growth
• Reduces evaporation
• Controls soil temperature
• Looks clean and modern

Tips:

• Keep rock 3–5 inches away from plant bases (hot stones can scorch stems)
• Always use landscape fabric underneath
• Choose 3/8" to 1/2" rock for most homes
• Use riprap on slopes or drain paths

Rock is both functional AND fashionable. Kind of like… well, me.

Best Times to Plant in July

Timing is everything.

Plant when the sun is weakest:

• 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM,
  or
• 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

This protects:

• You (from turning into a raisin)
• Your plants (from heat shock)

Immediately after planting, deep-water the plant for 20–30 minutes.

Bonus tip: if monsoon winds are kicking up, stake young trees. Give them stability, but leave room for movement. Swaying builds strong roots.

Watering Schedule for July Plantings (Super Important)

Even desert plants need help in their early days.

Trees

• Water every 1–2 days for the first 2 weeks
• Then every 3–4 days for 2 months

Shrubs

• Every other day for 2 weeks
• Then every 3–5 days

Cactus & Agave

• Every 3–4 days for 2 weeks
• Then every 7–10 days

Establishment Time

• Trees: 6–9 months
• Shrubs: 3–6 months
• Cacti/Agaves: 2–3 months

Once established:

• Trees: every 10–14 days
• Shrubs: every 7–10 days
• Cactus/agave: every 2–3 weeks

Always water early morning. The plants will love it… and evaporation won’t steal your hard-earned money.

Post-Planting Seasonal Maintenance

After the hard work of planting is done, regular maintenance ensures your plants continue to thrive. Fertilizing is best done with a slow-release product applied in early fall and again in late winter. Avoid fertilizing during the peak of summer, as this can stress heat-sensitive plants.

Pruning should be strategic. Wait until flowering shrubs have finished blooming before trimming them. You can lightly prune throughout the year to remove dead or overgrown branches and shape the plant as needed. Be careful not to prune too much during the hottest months, as this can expose inner foliage to sunburn.

Weeds can become a nuisance if left unchecked. Use pre-emergents in early spring and fall to reduce germination and manually pull or spot-spray any that appear. During monsoon season, check staked trees to make sure they’re secure and upright. Examine your drip irrigation system for damage, and ensure storm runoff isn’t causing erosion or standing water near plants.

Tools, Resources, and Support from Three Timbers

At Three Timbers, we don’t just sell plants—we’re here to walk alongside you in the entire process. That starts with curating a plant selection specifically chosen for the Scottsdale and Phoenix climates. Every plant on our site is well-suited to the heat and low-water conditions of the desert Southwest.

We offer fast, reliable plant delivery across the Valley and back it up with real customer support. Whether you’re wondering about your watering schedule, trying to identify a pest, or looking to troubleshoot soil problems, you can reach out to our team anytime. We also provide detailed planting and watering guides for every plant in our shop.

And as a bonus, if you're already a landscaping or maintenance client, you're eligible for 50% off plants through the Three Timbers Shop. It’s our way of saying thanks and helping you create a thriving landscape.

Make Your Landscape Thrive in July

Landscaping in July may seem daunting in the Scottsdale-Phoenix area, but with the right strategy, it’s a great time to establish lasting beauty in your yard. Selecting plants that love the heat, preparing your soil properly, planting at the right time, and caring for your new additions diligently can result in a landscape that’s both low-maintenance and full of color.

By choosing Three Timbers Shop, you're getting high-quality plants delivered straight to your door, along with the expert guidance and resources to make your installation a success. We’re here to help every step of the way—from the first shovel in the ground to the day your plants are fully thriving.

Visit Three Timbers Shop today to get started. Let’s make your desert landscape thrive—even in July.