Hints ..of Spring

[Silas_Sancona]

Was just thinking about this  


While the year winds down, already signs of what lies ahead as 2023 looms on the horizon...

Freesia returning for year #2



Spring wildflowers..

Decided to fill the empty space on the north side of the driveway w/ Poppies and Desert Bluebell again this spring. Not filling in quite as thick as desired, but there should be some color out there in a few weeks..  Also added seed of Veresina encelioides, Cowpen Daisy in here this year.  Come Summer, Sunflowers, Select Cosmos, AZ Summer Poppies ..and some other "Monsoon" annual things will fill the area.. Provided it rains next year of course.

 Because it will eventually be filled in w/ Concrete to add more space to the driveway, can't put in perennials, etc ..though i might plant some Sacred Datura / Moonvine against a wall there this year.

CA. Poppies and Desert Bluebell seedlings..





Cowpen Daisy seedlings..





Other stuff starting to come up out front.. Not sure what all i tossed around out there, but know i did drop seed of at least 2 or 3 native Milkweeds, more Bluebells, ( Phacelia campanularia ) Parry's Penstemon seed i'd been hanging onto for awhile, Desert Marigold, Cove's Senna, Shrubby Deer Vetch, ( Acmispon rigidus ) Whitestem Paper Flower, ( Psilostrophe cooperi )  Desert Chicory, ( Rafinesquia neomexicana ) and some other stuff..  We'll see what all comes up. 

Some other plants also were planted to replace things the sun cooked last year.. Those include:  Davidson's Cotton, ( Gossypium davidsonii ) uncommon in landscapes, and listed a Vulnerable. Native to Guaymas / Baja Sur, Mexico, and both Palmer's and Gila Penstemon ( P. palmeri, and P. ambiguus ) Palmer's Penstemon i was able to find this year are much larger than the small ones i'd bought last year that didn't make it 🤞 these don't croak this time around.

Seedling salad..







Some of the Asclepias seed starting to pop. Species sown include: Desert / Rush-leaved, A. subulata, Broad-leaved, A. latifolia, Woolypod, A. eriocarpa, and Antelope horns, A. asperula. Have a couple other species to track down for the shade area.

Milkweed seed has a tendency to germinate over a long period, so, w/ as much as put down, i'm betting, as long as it is viable,  seed that hasn't sprouted yet should pop as we get closer to spring.





Davidson's Cotton..





Still have the long, skinny area that parallels the sidewalk, and the big square up closer to the house to fill in w/ stuff this spring..


As mentioned a few times, there really isn't an "off" season, ...where there isn't something growing... here.

Lastly, if we manage to squeeze out one ..or three  more "decent" rain events before things dry out, if they do..  combined w/ with the mega- rains we just had, between now and Feb., this could be a "decent" spring wildflower season in -at least- this part of the state.  We'll see.

Edited December 7, 2022 by Silas_Sancona
edit

[Tracy]

On 12/7/2022 at 10:27 AM, Silas_Sancona said:

Was just thinking about this  


While the year winds down, already signs of what lies ahead as 2023 looms on the horizon...

Freesia returning for year #2



Spring wildflowers..

Decided to fill the empty space on the north side of the driveway w/ Poppies and Desert Bluebell again this spring. Not filling in quite as thick as desired, but there should be some color out there in a few weeks..  Also added seed of Veresina encelioides, Cowpen Daisy in here this year.  Come Summer, Sunflowers, Select Cosmos, AZ Summer Poppies ..and some other "Monsoon" annual things will fill the area.. Provided it rains next year of course.

 Because it will eventually be filled in w/ Concrete to add more space to the driveway, can't put in perennials, etc ..though i might plant some Sacred Datura / Moonvine against a wall there this year.

CA. Poppies and Desert Bluebell seedlings..





Cowpen Daisy seedlings..





Other stuff starting to come up out front.. Not sure what all i tossed around out there, but know i did drop seed of at least 2 or 3 native Milkweeds, more Bluebells, ( Phacelia campanularia ) Parry's Penstemon seed i'd been hanging onto for awhile, Desert Marigold, Cove's Senna, Shrubby Deer Vetch, ( Acmispon rigidus ) Whitestem Paper Flower, ( Psilostrophe cooperi )  Desert Chicory, ( Rafinesquia neomexicana ) and some other stuff..  We'll see what all comes up. 

Some other plants also were planted to replace things the sun cooked last year.. Those include:  Davidson's Cotton, ( Gossypium davidsonii ) uncommon in landscapes, and listed a Vulnerable. Native to Guaymas / Baja Sur, Mexico, and both Palmer's and Gila Penstemon ( P. palmeri, and P. ambiguus ) Palmer's Penstemon i was able to find this year are much larger than the small ones i'd bought last year that didn't make it 🤞 these don't croak this time around.

Seedling salad..







Some of the Asclepias seed starting to pop. Species sown include: Desert / Rush-leaved, A. subulata, Broad-leaved, A. latifolia, Woolypod, A. eriocarpa, and Antelope horns, A. asperula. Have a couple other species to track down for the shade area.

Milkweed seed has a tendency to germinate over a long period, so, w/ as much as put down, i'm betting, as long as it is viable,  seed that hasn't sprouted yet should pop as we get closer to spring.





Davidson's Cotton..





Still have the long, skinny area that parallels the sidewalk, and the big square up closer to the house to fill in w/ stuff this spring..


As mentioned a few times, there really isn't an "off" season, ...where there isn't something growing... here.

Lastly, if we manage to squeeze out one ..or three  more "decent" rain events before things dry out, if they do..  combined w/ with the mega- rains we just had, between now and Feb., this could be a "decent" spring wildflower season in -at least- this part of the state.  We'll see.

Nathan, this reminds me of Dickens' Christmas Carol.  The part about the ghost of Christmas future. 

So future bloomers coming back to life include the Amaryllis belladonna bulbs sprouting new leaves as winter solstice approaches.   Simple but lovely greenery. 

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, Tracy said:

Nathan, this reminds me of Dickens' Christmas Carol.  The part about the ghost of Christmas future. 

So future bloomers coming back to life include the Amaryllis belladonna bulbs sprouting new leaves as winter solstice approaches.   Simple but lovely greenery. 

I wish Belladonna Lilies would grow here, in the low desert at least..  Definitely one of those " Harbringers of Fall " you always awaited seeing start to flower back in San Jose..  Going to test Ox Blood and Lycoris this year as a "Autumnal" bulb stand-ins. Both also push leaves over the winter instead of when flowering.

[chinandega81]

How are the tropicals holding up in what seems like an unusually long cold stretch for the low desert? And it keeps going. I have a feeling January and Feb will be freakishly warm out west after such a cold and early start to winter there. I hope you tender plants can hang on and you get some good rain when temps warm up.

[Silas_Sancona]

5 hours ago, chinandega81 said:

How are the tropicals holding up in what seems like an unusually long cold stretch for the low desert? And it keeps going. I have a feeling January and Feb will be freakishly warm out west after such a cold and early start to winter there. I hope you tender plants can hang on and you get some good rain when temps warm up.

All is well... Only things brought in are Plumeria and Delonix regia seedlings, Plumeria cuttings rooted over the summer, and the desert rose, ..not necessarily due to the chill but more to avoid trouble the rain + chill might cause.

Other stuff.. Lignum Vitae ( G. sanctum ) and other stuff brought from FL.  ..and stuff like the Bursera, Pseudobombax, hang outdoors.. Too big to bring in anyway.  May bring in some Ceiba seedling / saplings and Kopsia arborea for the week.. if it really rains more and/or gets any colder than suggested, ..but that's about it. Really, while it will be chilly for a few days, it isn't looking like it will get any colder than what i have seen since moving here.. So not too concerned.

I may have torched my Black Olive, though not from any cold.  Might have let it go too long between watering before noticing it was thirsty, lol.. right before the weather cooled down.. No worries. Not too difficult to find new ones again.

Thinking the same outcome occurs as we start '23, but we'll see what happens.. Completely drying out / long, warm stretch thru Jan- Feb. may be broken up by some cool days, some more rain. That said, wouldn't be surprised if the next 8-12 days or so may be the coolest stretch of this years'  "cool" season.

[Foxpalms]

Since November was so mild in the UK all the trees once they dropped their leaves started budding again.

[gurugu]

First camalia flower

Cymbidium

Strelitzia reginae blooming right now. They do twice a year here.

[gurugu]

Oenothera glazioviana an invader from southeastern usa

Senecio angulatus. Another invader from Southafrica

 

Senecio mikanioides also from Southafrica

 

Chrysanthemum frutescens

Cestrum

 

Aloe arborescens

 

Acacia dealbata about to flower

 

Tecomaria capensis

 

Aechmea? which? I was sent it from Valencia a few years ago, but I don´t remember its name.

 

Red camelia

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Silas_Sancona]

A little cold rain, ..some chill ...and some "mild" rain = good signs for spring.. In the meantime,

Guaiacum coulteri  laughing at the recent chillier mornings.. 2 leaf seedlings i have also unfazed.. Sitting outside in a shaded ..and chillier part of the patio all winter.









Senna wislizenii, the established one.. Full of seedpods. Other dropped all of it's leaves, but is fine ..or looks fine atm.. We'll see how well it wakes up in a few weeks..



Plumeria.. the special one..  why cut off the leaves?  Simply put, happy and healthy Plumeria take winter naps ..even if you have to force them to..



Alpinia ..not-sure-which..  Will be interesting to see what the Coral Honeysuckle that popped up next to it ( picture #2) does..





Solanum houstonii





Chiltepins ..full of fruit..




Tropical Sage, pushing cool season growth.. Some of the sam plants started this time last year..  Big-leaved thing to the right in picture #2 is Anisacanthus andersonii, which is getting ready to set a  few flowers..







Spring color along the side of the driveway coming along nicely, though not distributed as evenly as i'd hoped.. Some other stuff in another section that is just starting to germinate atm..



Cowpen daisy moving a bit after sinking their toes into the soil better.



...while other stuff sown a little later in other areas plays catch up..

Native Verbena.. Glandularia gooddingii. Original specimens i put in died and i was concerned they wouldn't have had time to produce any seed.. Glad i was wrong..



Plenty of Penstemon parryi  scattered around out front



More Desert Bluebells



Desert Chicory, Rafinesquia neomexicana ..or Uropappus ( Silverpuffs ) i'd collected back in 2020 ..Other seedlings are probably Desert Marigold, though there's more Mex. Hats, some Tephrosia, and Senna seed down in spots as well.





Desert Marigold



Establish-ing Penstemon:

P. palmeri



Pink Sand Penstemon



P. superba



Salvia pinugifolia finally starting to bolt..



Checking on the old yard,  Morons that had sprayed the yard with the " blue stuff " to control the weeds while the house was vacant accomplished nothing.. Invasive weedy stuff is back, with a vengeance, while dormant seed of 95% of  the annual native stuff that was out competing the non native garbage appears to have been wiped out..  Not smart, at all.. 

Regardless, Home owner is awaiting final approvals for the re-design of the yard ..so we'll be able to right this wrong ( removing all the weedy stuff and reseeding in the natives once the project is completed.. )

Trichocereus X "Volcanic Sunset" budding already??



Fire Barrel ( Ferocactus gracilis ) i left there flowered over the summer, and has a few fruit forming.. Neat..

[gurugu]

Roses

Jazmin mesnyi

Chaenomeles japonica

Callistemus speciosus

Bauhinia variegata still with leaves

Brassica napus

 

Achillea millefolium

Hydrangea still in bloom

Euryops pectinatus

Bugambilla still in bloom

Bidens aurea, an invader from América

Magnolia stellata rosea. Only two flowers open. I´ll take pictures when in full bloom.

Thunbergia alata still in bloom

Malvaviscus penduliflorus still in bloom

Enjoy!

 

[Tracy]

We are just now 10 days into winter, so spring is still many days in the future.  There are signs of what to expect in early spring popping up on this last day of 2022.  In my garden the most exciting are the new buds appearing on my Dendrobium specicosum (variations curvicaule, grandiflora and penduclatum).  It should be a showy and fragrant start to spring!

Elsewhere in the garden is a new flower spathe emerging on one of my Chrysalidocarpus prestonianus.   For now though, I'll enjoy the beginning of winter with the Laelia orchids still in bloom.

[gurugu]

Dombeya waliichii. Planted in a very windy area, that´s why  the leaves are so tattered and the flowers drop before they bloom, because of the wind. It happens to me every fall/winter. It´s been in the ground for 10 years or so.

Tipuana tipu still with leaves on.

 

[gurugu]

Bergenia cordifolia

Acacia dealbata finally in bloom

Catkins on hazel

[dalmatiansoap]

@gurugu is this normal blooming time for Acacia? I have one freshly planted and still not sure what to expect.

[gurugu]

11 minutes ago, dalmatiansoap said:

@gurugu is this normal blooming time for Acacia? I have one freshly planted and still not sure what to expect.

Four winters out of ten they set flowers at this time, more or less. This past autumn and early winter are being very mild here. Minimum temperature in the coastal fringe has been about 5/6ºC. If not, they bloom in late January, mid February.

This one is a little farther inland (not close to the coast), so it´s in a hotter place. Those near the coast are about to, but still one/two weeks to go. I´ll post pictures then.

[Silas_Sancona]

3 hours ago, gurugu said:

Four winters out of ten they set flowers at this time, more or less. This past autumn and early winter are being very mild here. Minimum temperature in the coastal fringe has been about 5/6ºC. If not, they bloom in late January, mid February.

This one is a little farther inland (not close to the coast), so it´s in a hotter place. Those near the coast are about to, but still one/two weeks to go. I´ll post pictures then.

Similar bloom time in Cen. CA, depending on the sp. and distance from the coast..     A. baileyana is usually the first to pop, ..often right about now, or straddling the start of Feb.  ...followed closely by A. dealbata, and decurrens.  Every so often though, A. decurrens  flowers first.

Depending on the form, Sweet Acacia, Vachellia farinesia can flower as early as December here ( Those are often specimens of farinesia some people consider its own form,  V. f. smallii  )   Should start seeing flowers on the typical form 3-5 weeks from now. 

 Shrubby, Aussie Cassia sp. planted extensively here are budding atm. Should start popping soon.

[Tracy]

While the last flowers are dropping on this "San Diego Sunset" Plumeria, the nubs of new growth are also appearing in January.

[gurugu]

Metrosideros robusta still very young. I planted it two years ago , but it bloom profusely last summer. I have a 7/8 metres tall one in a different place which blooms in Spring/Summer, not too much because it is in sandy soil. That´s why I think this new one will flower better because it is in loamy soil.

Myoprum acuminatum

grevillea robusta

Tipuana tipu

I don´t remember its name..

Jasminum in bloom

Rododendrum

Mixed ferns on an old wall. I think they are Asplenium, Polystichum and Polypodium.

Solanum jasminoides still in bloom

 

Salix babylonica still with leaves.

Lemons and oranges loaded with fruits.

Magnolia soulangeana about to flower

Oak tree still with leaves

Jacaranda still with leaves

On 1/11/2023 at 6:17 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

Similar bloom time in Cen. CA, depending on the sp. and distance from the coast..     A. baileyana is usually the first to pop, ..often right about now, or straddling the start of Feb.  ...followed closely by A. dealbata, and decurrens.  Every so often though, A. decurrens  flowers first.

Depending on the form, Sweet Acacia, Vachellia farinesia can flower as early as December here ( Those are often specimens of farinesia some people consider its own form,  V. f. smallii  )   Should start seeing flowers on the typical form 3-5 weeks from now. 

 Shrubby, Aussie Cassia sp. planted extensively here are budding atm. Should start popping soon.

 

On 1/11/2023 at 2:15 PM, dalmatiansoap said:

@gurugu is this normal blooming time for Acacia? I have one freshly planted and still not sure what to expect.

This acacia is closer to the sea and it will be in full blooming in 3/4 days´time

This one isn´t far away and it will need more days to flower

This last one is almost at the beach, that´s why the spikes are young yet and flowers will need more time. I am not sure if it is Dealbata or Baileyana

[Silas_Sancona]

1 hour ago, gurugu said:

Metrosideros robusta still very young. I planted it two years ago , but it bloom profusely last summer. I have a 7/8 metres tall one in a different place which blooms in Spring/Summer, not too much because it is in sandy soil. That´s why I think this new one will flower better because it is in loamy soil.

Myoprum acuminatum

grevillea robusta

Tipuana tipu

I don´t remember its name..

Jasminum in bloom

Rododendrum

Mixed ferns on an old wall. I think they are Asplenium, Polystichum and Polypodium.

Solanum jasminoides still in bloom

 

Salix babylonica still with leaves.

Lemons and oranges loaded with fruits.

Magnolia soulangeana about to flower

Oak tree still with leaves

Jacaranda still with leaves

 

This acacia is closer to the sea and it will be in full blooming in 3/4 days´time

This one isn´t far away and it will need more days to flower

This last one is almost at the beach, that´s why the spikes are young yet and flowers will need more time. I am not sure if it is Dealbata or Baileyana

A. dealbata...  baileyana has smaller leaves.

[Silas_Sancona]

"Bolting Season" just getting started..  Another patch of Poppies / Phacelia further back where it is shaded that is just starting to fill in.. Shouldn't see that section start to bolt until more sun reaches it.



Cowpen Daisies too..



Penstemon superbus, with flowers already on the way..  A little surprised it is deciding to flower this early.  Parry's Penstemon is usually the first of the "Desert Penstemon" to flower here.. P. superbus usually flowers sometime between March / mid- April, right before P. palmeri and some of the other late spring flowering Penstemon do.



..one of the Penstemon parryi patches also starting to bolt..



Native Verbena..



January "New addits":

Fragrant Mist Flower / Siam Weed, Chromeolaena odorata  ..some care-free color / a butterfly hangout addition to the un-used side yard.. Even if these get seedy, since there is nothing but grass back there, any seedlings that might pop up later shouldn't be an issue / will get whacked when i cut the grass.  These can reach 6ft+ in height if really happy / kept wet.



Justicia candicans



Eriogonium fasciculatum v. polifolium, Interior / Desert Buckwheat.  One more to add to frame part of the entry walkway.



 Peak  "Chiltepin season" ..  No hint of set back despite recent " cold" weather



Pretty decent crop this year too   ...from just 3 small-ish plants!  More fruit maturing atm as well

[JLM]

Spring has technically begun despite being in January and still very subject to hard freezes. Maple trees are flowering, smaller flowering trees/shrubs and showing some beautiful purple and white flowers. Also my canna lilies are coming back to life, there are about 3 new suckers that have popped up. Maybe i should remove the dead ones that are still there.

Some bright green grass is popping up in the backyard as well. It gets tall quick but its very soft and cuts very easily. Ill probably mow this portion of the yard soon.

At some point this week ill remove all the dead leaves from my super dwarf banana to let it air out a little bit after all the rain we have had recently. The new growth that is coming out is partly dead, probably because its winter and i havent been fertilizing anything.

[Silas_Sancona]

Progress around the yard as we get closer to the start of spring....

North side of the property, shadowed by the carport.. Can see this area will flower later than the area of the same bed more exposed to sun year round ( next picture )



Poppies getting closer to flowering..



Cowpen Daisy trying to flower a bit early..



Desert Chicory, Uropappus ( Silverpuffs ), and young Desert Marigold..



Older Desert Marigold elsewhere..



Parry's Penstemon patch



Gooddings Verbena responding to some heat.. More popping up as well.



Penstemon ambiguus starting to wake up, the older one anyway.. P. supurbus getting closer to flowers ( Pict. #2 )





Asclepias sp.. Not sure which ( seeded 4 sp. last fall )



NOID seedling, maybe some Blackfoot daisies..



Possible Partridge Peas ..or Tephrosia virginiana, Goat's Rue..



Chocolate Flowers ( Berlandiera lyrata ) starting to wake up.. A few kiddos popping up too..





Salvia farinacea responding to more sun / warmth.. Some have scale on them and will be cut hard as new growth continues to emerge.



NOID seedlings from seed i"d collected in West Texas ..back in 2011. Hoping these are one of the woody stemmed, perennial Giliastrum sp. often called "Blue Bowls"



Stuff in pots, awaiting some real heat..

Uncommon, threatened, native Amsonia ( Bluestars )



Jatropha macrohiza. One of two pots full of Zephyranthes drummondii, which should flower in the next 3-5 weeks, in the background.



Rare, native Ipomoea



Tigridia pavona, Mex. Shell Flower.  Inside for the moment because these hate getting soaked during the winter. Also rot if planted in heavy, organic rich soils.



...Maybe planting seeds of those Devilish Blondes ( Perennial Yellow Devil's Claw ) in a wide 5gal, instead of 1gals  ...in nearly pure sand / gravel will work to get some going..



...From the park...

Early Encelia ( Brittlebush ) Should be a BIG year for these this year..





One of our native Wolf berries..  L. fremontii



Calliandra eriophylla



X Valentine, and Blue Emu..





Purple Three Awn..



Yep, ....they're still flowering..  ( Cascalote ) ..Vachellia farnesiana ( Sweet Acacia ) will be picking up the slack soon..








....Last,  but not least, ..getting things in order for the important visitors to come.. 

***An important note if installing Bee Hotels / homes.. entrance holes should face south east.. Seems to be the preferred orientation by many species.

Clean out some of the older ones, and add some new holes on this house..



...Add a couple more.  Always nice when a Bee House comes equipped with it's own natural hanger. 🤣




 

[Manalto]

Here on the Gulf Coast, Gelsemium sempervirens is in bloom.

[Silas_Sancona]

4 minutes ago, Manalto said:

Here on the Gulf Coast, Gelsemium sempervirens is in bloom.

Believe it or not but this is ( ..or was, if not as popular now as in years past.. ) a fairly common early flowering vine option in California and flowered right about now.  Neighbor years ago had some planted along a 12ft length of their back fence. Bee heaven ( Imported Honey bees at least ) as well.

[Silas_Sancona]

Gettin' there, slowly but surely..

First of the Bluebells ( Phacelia campanularia ) Area where i tossed Poppies this year got mangled by the roofers, so we'll see how much of  what got smooshed pops back up and flowers..



When the Freesia start budding, warmer weather is right behind..



Anisacanthus andersoni, going into it's second year.. Peppers kind of crowded it out last year ..so it's looking kind of spindly atm.  Should fill out more this year after i remove what pepper plants are still around it.



Early,  >keeping them inside where it is warmer will do that<  but the Shell Flowers ( Tigridia pavonia ) are already starting to pop ..some anyway.  With overnight lows looking to say above 39F, for the moment anyway, they went back out on the patio, and got their first feeding of the year ..then dressed up today.

"Menu Items" include: a layer of Langbeinite, Bird Guano, and Crabshell Meal over the soil..  ...then topped with larger grit. 







As mentioned earlier, Because these are Dutch-sourced bulbs, which may have been sourced from a population of T. pavonia  that grows at a higher / cooler elevation originally, it will be interesting to see how these perform here in bright, but hot shade.  Yucca Do ( ..how we miss thee.. ) sourced specimens / seed from a population of the species which grows at a lower elevation in Mexico, which is believed to survive heat / humidity better than the Dutch-sourced material.

Unfortunately, plants/ seed from Yucca Do's collection aren't the easiest to find, though i'd like to.  We'll see what happens.. The 5-7" wide flowers that resemble certain Orchids from Central America are worth attempting, esp. since they grow in the mountains / foothills just south of the border..

Have some extra bulbs that will be going in the ground in the shade bed near the Olive, to see how they do compared to the rest in pots.
 

[JLM]

I decided to make this Spring big with sunflowers, i remember from 2020 it was the highlight of the summer having those large sunflowers blooming in the backyard. This year i have 4 types i plan on trying. One is Mammoth Russian which i am very excited about, cant wait to see how big i can get these things! Next is cutting gold, not actually sure what to expect out of those besides nice sunflowers. The next two should be real nice, i got some Velvet Queen and Autumn Beauty which will be interesting. Ill probably start these this week since it will be nice and warm with highs in the 80's nearly all week long.

[metalfan]

Everything is growing back here after the awful freeze we had at Christmas that did a lot of folks dirty who don't usually have that sort of problem. I seem to notice this every year...the azaleas here bloom a little earlier every year. They used to wait until the first week in March here to even THINK about blooming. Now, they will have a few renegades pop open in late January, and by mid-February, they are in full bloom.

All my Hedychiums that got leveled by the freeze in December are up with shoots 6-8" tall. The native deciduous trees are all leafing out. The perennials like hibiscus that got nipped in Dec are growing back.

We have already had 85F days here...in February. This week, we may have a high of 90. If we top 88 it will set a record. Its not uncommon to have temps of 90 here in MARCH, but in the 31 years I have lived here I can not ever recall 90 in February. 

[JLM]

Found a Luna moth while mowing the backyard earlier. Those arent supposed to come out until March.

[Silas_Sancona]

Getting closer.....

More Phacelia  starting to awaken...





The unstoppable, and spiny, Solanum houstonii ( Sierra Madre Nightshade ) being ..unstoppable.



Tropical Sage, going into year #2, This one quickly getting bigger than the Plumeria  next to it.  Some of the same plants i'd started last year.



While the color of some Penstemon  sp. flowers can be tough to capture accurately, esp. when you take pictures near sunset. Not P. superbus.. That bright, Neon Coral color jumps out pretty easily, even under less than ideal lighting.





Working out back, and doing some final trimming up of the remaining Mulberry, decided to utilize the material ( instead of sending all of it to a landfill ) for a cat ( and Basenji ) barrier around where i'm planning to do Peppers and grape Tomaters' .  Might look trashy to some eyes, but, ..the view of trashy people are moot anyway.  Hunky Trunkys  next to the wall should be outta here by May, when the Palms next door get their yearly haircut.. Unless i can find someone w/ a Chainsaw before then. 

Planning on planting a couple Mexican Sunflower ( The big ol' per' annial  Yella' ones ) along the north facing wall on this side of the yard this year ( along w/ the other sun flowas' in other areas along the east facing wall that runs the length of the back Yaahd' ) One of the big yella' Sunflowers will go in the corner in the background of Picture #2. Trunk remnant over there is for the Carpenter and Leaf cutter Bees, Med. Geckos / Ornate Tree Lizards that keep an eye on the bugs... Last year, after i'd chopped both of the Zombie Mulberries down, a few female Ornates would hang out around the logs, even when i did my best to make sure they wouldn't want to while cleaning things up.. Pretty sure it is where they hibernate / make more lizards.





..Other than this idea, Planting a tree -that likes a ton of water, to look ok in the desert-, like White Mulberry, is pretty much pointless,  ...like posting in a photo- centric Thread ...w/ out pictures, lol.



 

Edited February 20, 2023 by Silas_Sancona
edit

[edbrown_III]

Cycas taitugensis flushing and Chuniophoenix nana flowering 

[Silas_Sancona]

 Slow n' steady stroll toward spring continues...

Phacelia  responding to what warmer days we've been having, at least out at the sidewalk.. Other patch is still a few weeks off.









Rafinesquia  finally deciding to open up.





Penstemon...

superbus



Some buds developing on the palmeri  already



Glandularia  ( gooddingii ) 



Asclepias ...someone, lol



Alamo Vine and Amsonia waking up..





Freesia






Yep,  that time of year again too..  Sweet Acacia should headed to the stage shortly.






















 

[Silas_Sancona]

Desert Chicory starting to pop. Compared to the majority of plants i've observed out in the desert, " cultivated plants are much fuller / have many more flowers per plant.





 Interesting variation in Betalain production between each patch of Parry's Penstemon, some starting to bolt / put on flower stalks. Would be neat to try and isolate / further develop individual specimens exhibiting the very obvious ( and quite eye catching ) red / violet leaf pigmentation. 








Early emerging Tigridia pavonia  reaching for the sky.. Other pots w/ these in them are just starting to pop now. Rest of the bulbs i had got planted in a specific spot out front  today..  Betalain presentation in the pre-leaf sheaths was an unexpected surprise.

Edited March 5, 2023 by Silas_Sancona
edit

[Silas_Sancona]

Some shots from a quick, early March check in at the park..














One of a few Sweet Acacia specimens you'll see planted around town that tend to flower more in late winter, vs. the more typical spring flowering period of most trees...



Cylindropuntia and Opuntia already gearing up.





Jojoba:  Female flowers ( Top )  Male flowers ( Bottom )





.......



Some Winter Sugar atop Pinal Peak.. Picketpost on the lower far right. Apache Leap, center and right

Edited March 7, 2023 by Silas_Sancona

[Silas_Sancona]

More warmth = More progress...

Amsonia sp. gearing up..





First sign of flower buds appearing on Erythrostemon palmeri. Seed grown. Approx 3 years old.
 

Machaeranthera sp. ( one of the Composite Genus commonly called "Tansyasters" )



Uropappus lindleyi



Getting closer to figuring out which Asclepias sp.  this is.. Wider leaves than is noted for the species at this age gives me confidence i probably can rule out A. asperula,  Antelopehorn Milkweed.  We'll see.




Random Gilia sp. ( possibly G. flavocincta v.  flavocincta ) that popped up on its own.



Penstemon palmeri




.....









 

[Tracy]

[Tracy]

I have been buzzed a lot by humming birds when walking under my Vonitra crinita.  I was sweeping up the walkways today and noticed there were a bunch of small black specs on the pavers below where I get buzzed and immediately recognized it.  I've seen this frequently below humming bird nests, so I looked above the little spots and sure enough there was a nest on one of the lower limbs of my Vonitra crinita.  I got out the ladder to climb up and see inside the nest since it is a couple of feet overhead.  So yes, these little humming birds are announcing the spring is upon us.

[Silas_Sancona]

Just keeps getting more vibrant out there...   Patches of Penstemon parryi  scattered out there are really bolting atm and should be flowering shortly..
 









Surprise red-streaked CA Poppy showing up in the Poppy patch..



Shaded section on the north side of the Carport quickly catching up.. 



Freesia are on stage.. Looks like there's a Purple- flowered bulb among the yellow ones too.





Anisacanthus andersonii




Pretty impressive how big this tropical Red Sage is getting.. Remember, i started these from seed around this time last year.  If i'm successful at getting seed to sprout, i may tuck a couple Chamaedorea microspadix in this bed once they sprout. Since they don't get big, and will generally be taller than most stuff already planted. Together with the Alpinia and Plumeria in there already, a couple bamboo palms will add that extra tropical touch to this bed. Put some Mexican Tarragon, Tagates lucida in there today after yanking more Peppers ( no worries, i have / will have plenty )  Hopefully the Plumeria flowers this year.



Looking back at this bed, quite the contrast, in just one year, compared to what i started out with when we moved in..




Alamo Vine waking up.. Will be interesting to see how quickly it fills this trellis over the next several weeks.




Galactia wrightii, seed  originally collected up at Oak Flat  waking up too..



First Cacti flowers of 2023.  Cacti at the old house are about to explode as well ( Will get shots when that occurs ) New neighbor has been taking good care of them since they bought the house and most of the Opuntia and Echinocereus have doubled in size.







 

[Rivera]

Peduncles forming on the dudleyas, some bearing water droplets from a light morning shower.

[Rivera]

Doesn't look like much at a glance, but here's a flock of a few dozen snowy plovers running along the edge of the seawall, unfazed by the steady 25 knot wind with 50 knot gusts.

Not pictured but also present were a small number of long billed curlew.

No flowers, but both the wind and the presence of these birds mark the season here. 

For flowers, this 'Ray Hartman' ceanothus outside the SF Botanical Garden is in full bloom.

[subsonicdrone]

its not quite spring yet here