Spring Has Sprung

Things in the desert seem to be blooming a little earlier than last year. Of course, we didn't have nearly the number of freezing nights this winter. Nor did I bother to cover any of the plants this year. I wanted low-maintenance landscaping...they are just going to have to learn to deal with the cold!


This is the Bougainvillea by the front door. It's looking fantastic for so early in the season. The one out in the front yard was completely frozen (again) and I cut it off, almost to the ground, last weekend. It will probably take most of the summer to come back...and bloom right before the first frost. The two in the back yard were partially shielded by the house, so they faired pretty well. One of them is blooming also, but it doesn't look nearly as nice.


I can never remember the name of this little flowering bush. But I'm pretty suprised to see it blooming. Last year, not one flower opened. It seemed like daily watering would almost convince it to blossom, but it just wasn't quite enough. Amazingly, I have not turned on the drip once for any of the plants this year. Good news for our water bill, too!


The Santa Cruz Hibiscus is another that seemed to prefer daily watering yet, here it is, covered in purple blossoms.


So pretty!

This is the most blooms I've ever seen on the Aloe plant! Vickie paid $2 for this thing about 4 years ago, when it was only about 8" tall.


Obviously, it's outgrown a pot and is now planted right in the ground. It's about 2 1/2 feet tall (not including the blooms, which are over 5') and is easily 3' wide!


I'm excited to see that my Red Yuccas are going to bloom this year, as well. The stalks have just shot up over the past week or so. They will eventually have little flowers and will bloom most of the summer. The first year we had trouble with bugs enjoying an all-you-can-eat-buffet once the blossoms opened. A little dish soap and water got rid of them!


And the first flower on the Lime Tree means Ib will be enjoying some Margaritas by the waterfall in just a few months!