Flowers

We have had a couple of new varieties of open flowers the last week. Left to right are Argentine Giant, Cholla Flowers and Beavertail Cactus flowers. All beautiful and more to come. Click on any image to enlarge.

This hedgehog cactus has been with us since we landscaped our place six years ago. The cactus was transplanted to its current location in front of the house from a spot on the other side of the driveway. It is now almost completely populated with these beautiful spring flowers.

Wikipedia has this item about Echinocereus Englemannii which I believe this cactus is:

The strawberry hedgehog cactus or Engelmann’s hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii) is commonly found in desert areas of the southwestern United States and the adjacent areas of Mexico, including the states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Baja California and Sonora. It usually grows in clusters, sometimes up to 20 and more stems. Its bright magenta flowers bloom in April in its southern extremes to late May at northern locations. The flowers are borne at the upper half to one third of the stem. They are funnelform in shape, up to 3.5 inches long with dark-green stigmas. The fruit is very spiny. At first it is green, becoming pink and drying when ripe. The ripe fruit has spines which are easily detached. The seeds are black, and around a tenth of an inch in size.

The stems are initially cylindrical and erect in young plants, but later with the stem base lying on the ground. The stems are usually 1.5 to 3.5 inches in diameter and up to 25 inches high, and obscured by heavy spines. The plants have around 10 ribs, which are somewhat flattened and tuberculate.

Spines variable in color and size. Radial spines are shorter and needlelike, up to 0.8 inch long, white and arranged in a neat rosette. Central spines number 2 to 7 and are stout, usually twisted or angular, up to 3 inches long and variable in color: bright yellow, dark brown, grey, and white.

Echinocereus engelmannii is commonly used as a landscape plant in its native areas. In pot culture it requires well aerated gritty substrate, and a hot and sunny location in the summer. In the winter the plant easily tolerates light frost and wet (if well-drained) soil. In cultivation it usually does not bloom until it develops 2-3 branches.

I love it here in the desert all year around, but the spring flowers blooming might be my favorite time. This is some of the flower activity now showing in our garden.

At the top, a bright pink beavertail cactus flower opened up today. Below from left to right are golden barrel cactus flower, a lemon blossom in the “orchard” and an ocotillo flower bud just sprouting from the top of one of the canes. Click on the image to enlarge.

One of the cacti in the courtyard has developed three flower stalk buds. This will be the second spring for us to enjoy the hot pink flowers produced by this cactus. Last year, it had about nine flowers over a period of a couple of weeks.

Of course, I will post flower pictures when they open up probably in April. Click on the image to enlarge.

Spring flowers are popping up everywhere here in Wickenburg. Last week, I purchased several bundles of daffodils and put them in a vase. This morning, they had all opened up. I took this picture of them at the breakfast table. Click on the image to enlarge.