Wild About Wasson Peak!

Painted Lady on Brittlebush

So I promised wildflowers and today I'm  going to deliver:)  Hiking around 4 hours to the top of Wasson Peak in Saguaro National park was a lot of fun.  Close to the Desert Museum, you'll notice a parking area on the right side.  Just drive past the museum and look to your right for the gravel parking lot.

The Honey Bee on Brittlebush

I love wildflowers but it's tricky to get the shots or make them interesting.  And today there were lots of flowers with all kinds of colors and shapes....but how do you capture the glory and majesty of a large landscape?  It's very tricky.  I can take a picture of the whole landscape but the flowers won't stand out like they do when you're in person.  So today's focus is the "close up".....and when possible, with a little flight:)

The Fairy Duster

The Fairy Duster, popular with hummingbirds, is showing off beautiful airy flowers. This is one of my favorites in the Sonoran landscape.

But of course my all time favorite is the Globemallow with its delicate orange cup.  Bees love this flower and appear in some cases to be laying inside the cup while collecting food.

Globemallow

In fact, on this hike, we faced A LOT of bees!  I know there is an epidemic going on right now with bee disappearance, but from our experience on this day, we encountered lots of them:)

While the wildflower season isn't a bust, it wasn't the massive fields of California Poppies that I was expecting this year.  Some great places for spotting wildflowers are along our Tucson trails at the National Parks, Hwy 77, Picacho Peak, etc.

Desert Chicory

Again be careful around flowers as there is a lot of buzz going on.......

But there was no denying that this trail up to Wasson Peak(especially near the washes) is where we found the most color and variety of wildflowers.

California Poppies

At one point, we tried to shortcut through an area, but the bee population was so active that we returned to a safer path.  If you do hike, just be aware of your surroundings.  It's getting to be that time of year when things get warmer and as it does, the other critters will start to come out of hibernation.....like snakes, etc:)  African Bees kill 1-2 people a year in or around the Tucson area.  Keep your eyes open and be careful where you poke that hiking stick.  Many times a walker with their dog will disturb a nest and the bees will swarm the person stinging them over a hundred times.  It's rare, but just something to be aware about....

From Wasson Peak

What a great view!  You get to the breezy top.  If you're lucky, you'll have the bench all yourself.  Bring a little lunch or snack to continue on......it's a great hike!

I also noticed several of the cacti beginning their bloom cycle.  While it's a bit early for all this to happen, it was nice to see.  Wildflowers come first and then are followed by cacti blooms around the state.  April is really a gorgeous month with vivid color.

A cactus flower

The blooms on some cacti are almost flourescent!  They never look real to me.  I loved this shot because as I was doing the photo shoot, this bee was submerged inside the flower....almost swimming!  Bees are beautiful as is the act of being covered in pollen:)  And that's where I had my best luck today....with the bees and the flowers:)

Bring plenty of water as the afternoon will get warm.

Of course, I'll be continuing my spring photo shoots around Southern Arizona.  Stay tuned for more fun! And more tomorrow....:)

Sonoran Wildflowers

Everyone has wondered where my wildflower pics are from the desert this past spring.  Don't worry, I took them.  My garden journal on plants has wrapped up, but it has taken up a lot of time and energy forcing me to post things at a later time.   This is the first of a series of shots from our visit to the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix back in early April.  It was a beautiful but extremely warm day.  My allergies were acting up with all the pollen in the air.

The Phoenix Botanical Gardens had such a lovely display of wildflowers and while it wasn't a spectacular show for us in the wild this year to the lack of rain, the Phoenix Botanical Gardens made sure we got our California Poppy fix:)  These flowers just glow with the intense sunlight. Our wildflower shows in the desert all depend on the weather.  It's natural and normal for some years to be a dud while during others, it's like going to a 4th of July fireworks festival.

 California poppies are the orange flowers.  Other wildflowers you'll see in these gardens are lupines, globe mallow, Parry's Penstemon, Pink Sand Verbena, the Blue Desert Bell, etc

There's a lot to see.  The best way to make your own garden is to throw mixed seeds around in flower beds with some water to get them going when spring arrives. They can grow crazy so do be aware that they will pop up around your landscape once you put them into your garden.  It's kinda hard to control wildflowers.....because they're wild:)

Native butterflies and hummingbirds love our display of wildflowers. I love how these will take over a rock bed and create a lush green hill of spectacular color.

Depending on the wildflower, your displays can last for a month or longer.

Many mix wet native soil with the seeds and throw it about their garden.  This keeps the seed from blowing away or from preventing a local bird a free lunch:) 

There are lots of seed packets out there.   But for success, plant in full sun for maximum display.

Wildflowers transform a landscape into a prairie type setting for a few months before returning to the cacti forest.

 The Desert Primrose.  This plant grows along the sand dunes of Yuma.

Stay tuned for more from the Phoenix Botanical Gardens tomorrow......

Wildflowers

My friend Kristen near Kitt's Peak

I have to admit that this post does not excite me like it should.  I don't know why, but I guess I'll explain as I go.  I should first admit that I LOVE California poppies and Globe Mallow and I LOVE the desert blooming in the springtime.  I've been here long enough to have witnessed two amazing blooms in our Sonoran desert. Wildflowers are a wonderful attraction in any garden, but my issue is that they are high maintenance once you get them going....oh yeah, and they like to pop up all over the place whether you like it or not.

I yelled at her to get on the ground but she wouldn't at first because she thought a rattlesnake may have been hiding.  Ahhh Kristen:)

So you may ask, "Why are you writing this blog about wildflowers then?"  I just had a class on them this past weekend and I have to admit that I wasn't looking forward to the discussion.  Our speaker was a wonderful person who loves these varied plants and was definitely passionate about her topic.  But like my neighbor said to me at the table, "These plants look like weeds and what I pull out of my garden!"  I started laughing because I have killed many a wildflower.....and I know that I'm doing it.  They are pesky and weedy and get into everything.  The flower is pretty, but afterwards, it makes the garden look unkept.  I know I know.....who do you think you are mister?  Wildflowers are the bomb, phat, tight, cool, or fill in the blank with the latest word for "awesome"___________!  Okay okay...don't shoot me down....I love all plants great and small, but I like them in their natural setting.  "But they are in their natural setting!"  Yes yes....I know this....just not in my garden please:)

Taken in '97 near Kitt's Peak. In masses, wildflowers are sexy.

Here are some tips if you are into wildflowers....and they are pretty when in bloom.  The seeds are generally smaller so put them in a ziploc bag with some sand and mix them up.  Rake up an area loosely and sprinkle the seeds into the ground.  Cover with a light amount of dirt and water gently. Note. Some gardeners leave extra seed out for their feathered friends as they like to check out your work once you're done.  In the desert, it is important to plant your seeds in September or October so that they will germinate. Most need full sun. Not to be a party pooper, I purchased some desert zinnias and am planting them on the south side of the home.  We'll see what sprouts. Here's the 411 of wildflower perfection in the Spring....

-You need moisture to germinate seeds.  Some recommend a deep soaking of the seeds to wash off the "inhibitor".

-Plant between September and early December for germination to get that fabulous wildflower show that makes the Sonoran desert dance

-1 inch of moisture is required along with heat and fall rains.  If fall rains are sparse, as they have been this "La Niña" year, water area.

If you are heading to Rocky Point, as I am seen here, you will pass some key areas of the Sonoran desert that are famous for their wildflower shows of mallow, lupine, datura....well, the list goes on and on. It is not uncommon for people to stop along the roads and snap pictures as I did on our way down to Mexico from Tucson. Best time for Mother Nature's show is from April to May.

Did you know?

In the Sonoran desert, 5,000-10,000 seeds are found per square meter according to studies done by the UA.