The desert in bloom...

[luvflorida]

I took off on my beach cruiser yesterday afternoon and had fun snapping photos of springtime in the Sonoran Desert. We are about twenty minutes south of Tucson, pretty much right in the middle of sand and cacti. Until we moved here, I had no idea that an abundance of colorful blooms appear every April and May.

For anyone who would like to see how truly beautiful it can be in a desert environment, take a look. Here are some of the pictures I took. Many of the plants and shrubs are still in the process of blooming. Enjoy!

 

[luvflorida]

A few more:

 

[Silent1CB]

I recognize many of those plants as plants we can buy here in New England. Are those native / wild plants in Arizona, or was that someones planted yard?

 

[luvflorida]

I recognize many of those plants as plants we can buy here in New England. Are those native / wild plants in Arizona, or was that someones planted yard?

The community we live in has many large areas that are landscaped and some of the pictures were taken in those areas. Other pictures were taken in nearby desert areas where plants, flowers and shrubs grow wild.

Honestly, I couldn't tell you which plants/flowers/shrubs are native to Southern Arizona (except of course the varities of cacti and trees) but I'm sure many of the species that thrive here can also be found in other parts of the country.

I've only been in this area for less than two years, and I'm just pleasantly surprised at how colorful it can be in the desert. There are also plants with blooms on them in other months of the year. I'm really surprised that anything can bloom here due to the extremely limited amount of rainfall! We have some flowering shrubs and plants in our front and backyard (even a small tree) and we never water them, but they thrive. The soil isn't even all that deep. I do know that many communities discourage homeowners from planting grass or anything else that requires a lot of watering since water is at a premium around here.

Here's one for you that I don't think you'll find in New England:

There are other small cacti plants around here with pink and red blossoms that are just starting to flower. Some of the taller flowering cacti aren't quite there yet either.

 

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi luvflorida,
Thanks SO much for sharing. The pictures and plants are beautiful. My husband and I love the desert and this just confirms one of the reasons why. The desert setting is wonderful and one day I hope to wake up and see it every morning! Thanks again for sharing.
________
Redhead live

 

[MODisneyfan]

OH How beautiful. I love that area. I would love to move to Arizona or New Mexico someday!

 

[4nana]

Thx for sharing Luvflorida! It's so interesting that beautiful flowers can survive in such a dry area. Love the colorful snapdragons in pix #4.
BTW, enjoy all your siggie pix of cutie Carter, my, they don't stay little long.

 

[Tink888]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

 

[PixieTopaz]

Beautiful!

 

[Darsa]

Wow, those are just gorgeous! I refuse to show these pics to my DH, who has wanted to move from ME to AZ for a long time...

My mom's favorite flower was the snapdragon; I especially love that picture!

 

[Yankeemouse]

thanks for posting those. so pretty and relaxing! I live in CT, and love walking on trails in the spring, looking for the blossoms!

 

[Yankeemouse]

thanks for posting those. so pretty and relaxing! I live in CT, and love walking on trails in the spring, looking for the blossoms!