Cactus or Desert Shrub?

Ocotillo fascinates me!

When it is leafed out, of course!  Otherwise it looks like a pile of dead sticks!  But even then the shape catches your eye.

I think it is the form that is so striking and so unlike other shrubs or plants.  When it blossoms it is even more stunning!  If I had property here in AZ I'd definitely be using it in landscaping!

Thanks to the abundant (for AZ) winter rains this year, it is looking mighty fine right now!
 
 http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/ocotillo/ocotillo-plant.htm

 Fouquieria splendens Ocotillo

2015 Perennial of the Year!

While reading the Rochester Post Bulletin this weekend I discovered the article by Robin Fruth-Dugstad regarding the 2015 Perennial of the Year.

It is an easy reading in depth article about what a Perennial of the Year is as well as this year's selection, which is geranium x cantabrigiense "Biokov"!

Biokov is a dwarf cranesbill for zones 4-9, long blooming, low growing for full sun to part shade!  A fit for most any garden? 

http://www.perennials.com/plants/geranium-cantabrigiense-biokovo.html

Lichen, an amazing plant life...

While touring the Superstition Mountains in Az with friends this last week we found a few desert flowers in bloom.

Just enough to tease us about what is ahead in March to enjoy.  Lots of abundant lush green plants provided lots of color to desert scenery. 

The lichen was very colorful on the boulders and rocky slopes.  The above average winter rainfall is responsible for this display of green color that we usually didn't notice other years.

So, I checked out the internet and found more information on this amazing plant life, which is unique to this area.

http://www.redorbit.com/images/pic/28839/lichen-covered-boulders-in-the-superstition-mountains-close-to-the-phoenix-metropolitan-area/l

AZ Lemons 2015

These lemons were picked yesterday from a neighbor's tree!  Thanks to our winter rains this year they are double the size of one in a store right now! 

Lots of lemonade, lemon pies, etc.!  I have a few dozen to squeeze juice from and freeze for future delights!

Next month we'll be enjoying the fragrance of citrus blossoms!

Potential miniature garden plants?

While checking my email this morning, with my 2nd morning cup of  coffee, I noticed a email from Monrovia about new plants available this year.   I just had to check them out, of  course! 

Yep, I spotted two ideal plants for miniature/fairy gardens that stay small (short).  They are succulents, which indicates easy care.  More southern zones than 4 but worth a try as I over winter those little gardens protected by a garage.  So may be worth a try if I find them in a plant nursery near here.   I so enjoy dwarf type perennials that come back next year!

Little Pickles, an ice plant!
http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/3282/little-pickles-ice-plant/

Mossy Stonecrop

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2786/mossy-stonecrop/

Bougainvillea, a desert plant!

In Az Bougainvillea grows and lives happily all year!

In MN it is a tender plant, mostly grown in planters or hanging baskets outdoors needing temperatures above freezing and full son!

In AZ it grows in the ground like a bush or sprawls like ground cover or climbs on supports such as a trellis.
 
Interesting,  last year I saw near freezing temps hit a Bougainvillea, while I was here, which resulted in needing to trim it back to bare stems almost to the ground.  It was also of interest to watch it rebound later in full glory  and the next year was back it's former size, etc.

It is recommended as a easy plant for desert climates that blooms almost 11 months of the year.  Drought tolerant, loves full sun, and provides beautiful color to landscapes and gardens.

http://www.bgi-usa.com/kb/bougainvillea-101/



Bougainvillea  Nyctaginaceae



Played in the dirt!

What fun playing in the dirt creating their first Fairy Gardens!

Bev and Jan (snowbirds from Washington & Iowa) will be taking home their creations with pride!  It is such fun to share this gardening joy!

Bev
 

Jan