Arizona Red Shades blanket flower covers itself in red-orange daisies from late spring through summer on a compact plant under a foot tall. The warm coloring reads like a sunset, and it blooms generously its first year, so new beds fill in fast. Bees, butterflies, and birds all use it.

Give it full sun and lean, well-drained soil; it takes heat and drought in stride and actually prefers ground on the poor side. Deadhead to extend the show. Winter drainage matters more to it than fertilizer ever will. Front of border, rock gardens, containers.