Five Plants You Probably Shouldn't Bother With in Utah

We get the question constantly: "Can I grow [this beautiful plant] here?"

The answer is usually "technically yes, but at what cost?" Some plants fight Utah so hard that the effort isn't worth the result.

1. Hydrangeas (the blue/pink kind)

Hydrangeas are gorgeous. But Utah soil is alkaline. Hydrangeas want acidic. You can amend soil, but you'll be doing it every year. The flower colors fade. By mid-July they're struggling. By August they're crispy.

Try this instead: oakleaf hydrangea. Happier in our conditions. Not the movie-star pink, but beautiful and actually thrive.

2. Camellias

We tried. They need humidity. Our air is 20% in winter. They need shade but not too much shade. Our spring sun is violent. They're finicky about water quality. And when they get stressed, spider mites move in.

Try this instead: peonies. They'll give you flowers, they're low-maintenance, and they actually like cold winters.

3. Citrus (outdoor)

Our last frost date is May 15. Our first frost is September 25. That's 132 frost-free days. Citrus wants 200+. You can grow it in a pot and move it to shelter, but that's not growing outdoors.

Try this instead: these cold-hardy fruit trees that actually thrive here.

4. Ferns (most of them)

Ferns want humidity and dappled light. We have dry wind and intense sun. Yes, there are tough ferns, but they're never as lush as the pictures.

5. Tender Annuals You Love (planted too early)

Impatiens. Begonias. Dahlias. You can grow them, but not in May. Wait until June. A single cold snap in late May will kill them. We see people set out their summer annuals at the first warm weekend, then lose everything two weeks later.

Need guidance on what WILL work? Check our what we grow section or visit the nursery.

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