Glorious spring in the desert!

The desert flowers keep getting better and better! This past week I was in awe of them on some desert hikes, a garden tour, and just in my neighborhood. The pink Parry's penstemons in my neighbor's yard, above and below, went crazy this year, wrapping around the front and side of her house.

I picked up this awesome photo on Facebook showing wildflowers in the desert near Phoenix, which is about two hours north of me. 

 

Here are some photos from my desert -- lots of penstemons, poppies, purple lupine, yellow desert marigolds and creosote flowers, white daisy-like flowers and yellow barrel cactus fruit.

These next few are from neighborhood walks. 

Yellow cassia bush

Barrel cactuses with yellow fruit and purple lantana

Lizard on a mesquite tree

Green palo verde tree bark

This next batch is from yesterday's garden tour, which was put on by the Pima County Master Gardeners.

This huge organ pipe cactus was on the first stop, and around the back was a crested organ pipe. Crested, or "cristate," cactuses are ones that grow into convoluted, swirling shapes and are very rare.

The same house, whose garden has been established for decades, has the date palm (above) and an enormous Joshua tree (below).

The white lady banks rose bush, below, was another enormous plant in a subdivision garden that has been in the care of the same homeowner for 32 years. The big cactuses above were also in his yard.

These two outdoor seating areas are from two gardens on the tour. There were a lot of water features, comfy chairs, and color! I want to get a small water fountain for my back patio because water sounds are so relaxing.

These next two are potted plants in my little front courtyard. They've gone gangbusters this year!

Above is my coral fountain and below are the geraniums that I nursed through the hot summer and covered during winter frosts. That's about the extent of my gardening capabilities.

Have a colorful day