Having recently re-landscaped both the front and backyard, it's exciting to share the results and respond to this challenge. Thank you Debe Maxwell, CRS for the Challenge and idea to share local blooms!
Desert plants are unique in that they are designed to use less water, keep predators at bay with their thorns, and those with blooms support birds, butterflies and bees! Pictured as the main photo is a Fairy Duster. I chose red blooms to attract hummingbirds, including hanging a hummingbird feeder to entice them to my backyard. But's lets start with the front yard.
In the front yard, I selected desert plants and water them manually. They don't require daily watering and some far less. This might seem arduous, but not if you understand how much water these types of plants require. This "bush" is actually a tree called the Tipuana and requires deep watering once a week. The blooms, which are just now starting to bloom bright yellow again after I cut it back from it's 7' height. It can grow up to 30' tall. By cutting it back annually, I keep it short enough to manage and not block sunshine to my solar panels. I've been shaping it much like a Mexican Bird of Paradise, but since it's a tree and is SO HEALTHY I've elected to start shaping it as a tree. It's grown to 3' tall, again, after cutting it back to sticks 2 weeks ago!
Another front yard plant is the Hesperaloe, aka red yucca. These are newly planted and I water them very slow and deep once a week. They will grow wider and multiply, forming a row. This plant is related to the yucca and aloe. They prefer full sun and are very hardy. These are in a row near the mailbox and won't attract bees. My mailman thanks me for that choice!
Another amazing desert plant is the Agave. Researching the variety I planted, it's either an Allenuate or a Weberi. I'm not sure as it was given as a starter gift from a friend . This self-rooting agave is the "baby" of the original plant, which grew to 6' tall before weevils killed it. You can see the stalk/stub of what's left of the original on the left, and also a very small new self-rooting baby in front. To trim these, you need to wear gloves and use a handsaw. The larger the plant, the thicker and heavier the leaves get. I used a shovel the last time to cut off the lowest "leaves" so that they aren't on the ground. It's best to only water twice a month in the summer and every couple months in the winter. Too much water will create mold in the roots. The enemy of this plant is over-watering and snout weevils or insects that lay eggs inside the "leaves." I've used diatomaceous earth to kill worms or insects around it to and to keep the weevils away. There are over 200 varieties of agave. The type to make tequila - the Blue Weber Agave - not this one!
This Golden Barrel Cactus hasn't bloomed yet as it's too young. When it does, the blooms will be white and yellow on the top of the cactus. Can't wait as I have 3 in a row planted in a large enough space for them to multiply.
The type of bloom on a Firestick Succulent isn't a bloom at all! The pencil thin stalks merely change color with cooler weather. It was much prettier this past winter when it was bright orange! As we head into warmer summer weather, the bright orange/red color fades to pale orange and yellow and eventually to yellow/green. This is a unique phenomenon for this desert succulent. If you shape this plant, use gloves to keep the white milky substance off your skin and trim in the winter months. These are toxic for pets and children so keep them away if you trim them.
For the backyard, I've selected far more blooming plants that require regular watering. A drip irrigation system was installed first as the lines are buried underground. Drip irrigation systems keep water use and waste to a minimum, reducing evaporation by using just the one drip to each plant.
The Mexican Bird of Paradise is a regulalr in a lot of residential yards. It only requires annual maintenance when everything is trimmed down to the ground! This one is in my backyard and will have MANY blooms this summer. After fertilizing it once, the plant rebounded nicely with many blooms to come! I also planted another one of these right outside my office window.
Ihe Desert Ruellia plant below is in a row of 3 and blooms beautifully throughout the spring months with fewer blooms in the summer. The blooms are everywhere and are a bit messy, but they are wonderful to view along an entire wall of my backyard from inside my house :)
This plant may not be in my yard for long. Leftover Bermuda grass has invaded it and it's a bit of a mess to maintain. The landscaper that installed it didn't tell me the name and I haven't located it. It prefers spring and milder temps in the summer, hence it's replacement will be coming soon! To be determined - blooms or not to bloom?
Adding another photo for merit. This one is not in my yard, as I haven't planted a saguaro cactus. A friend sent me this photo while out hiking. I couldn't resist sharing as it's so beautiful, but also from a saguaro that is quite damaged. As you can see, it appears to be on death row, but bloomed anyway!
The best time to see blooming flora and fauna in the desert is in March. Depending on how much rain, everything is in bloom and it can be spectacular!
Having formerly lived in other states/climate zones that included seasons and more rain, planting for the desert requires research, planning and careful placement. As an example, plants like the yucca grow larger in width and have sharp pointed "leaves" so don't plant those near sidewalks! Thorns on desert plants can be frustrating so understand what you're buying and planting before it goes in the ground.
Thank you to Debe Maxwell, CRS for this month's challenge!
For more information about desert flora, visit this State Park website.
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