We have been expecting the hedgehog cactus flowers to open just after the first few days of spring. Well, they’re starting to open. The first two were open yesterday and a third one opened today. It looks like another will be opening tomorrow, too. This is a close-up of one of the prettiest open flowers.
We’re still waiting on our beavertail cactus flowers which should start to open soon. Click on the image to enlarge.
Last fall, we bought a sapling orange tree to replace the one that the Javelina destroyed. This one is not in the ground in the “orchard” yet, but it will be as summer approaches. The good news is that it is blooming and may have oranges before we get it transplanted. Click on the image to enlarge.
The springtime cacti are all getting ready to bloom in the desert. I took this photo of an early red-orange prickly pear cactus flower on our way home from visiting Mom. Click on the image to enlarge.
A few cumulus clouds floated by yesterday. I was on the road in front of the house and snapped this image of our saguaro and ocotillo against the very nice desert background and sky. Click on the image to enlarge.
Technically, spring isn’t supposed to be here until late next week. In spite of that, this little flower opened up on the flowering plum tree in the courtyard. The tree is starting to get its leaves back, and there are many more flower buds getting ready to open. The temperature today was about 83° with the forecast for tomorrow and Friday calling for even warmer temperatures. Click on the image to enlarge.
Several Weeks ago, I planted some paperwhite bulbs in a shallow garden box in the courtyard. In spite of being outdoors and exposed to cooler wintertime temperatures, they are now happily producing these tiny white flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
Here is a factoid I found at a commercial bulb vendors website:
The paperwhite narcissus, a relative of daffodils and jonquils, is easy to grow and produces small, fragrant flowers on 12 to 18-inch stalks. Most paperwhites have pure white blooms, but yellow varieties are also available.
