It's already been quite a learning experience, Diana. I'll be writing more about the area and my plans soon, as well as hopefully posting some native plant profiles. Happily, the property is mostly old established growth, so I'm not just dealing with colonizers of disturbed soil.
That golden flower really is gorgeous. Glad you have been able to identify it. It will be so interesting to see what other flowers grow wild around you in your new home, and how your garden develops. Is there already a garden there?
It's really a perfect place, Cathy, because there is a lot of hardscaping already set up (which I can't do myself) but not much planting (which I prefer to do myself) at this point, though there was probably more at one time. It's an older property and hasn't received much care for quite a while, I suspect. But there is a large patio running up to a very thoroughly designed pond--with a waterfall!--all with an artificial but well constructed little hill. I can't get it all working again yet, but I'm hoping that with some expert eyes it will come back into working order without too much fixing. Fingers crossed.
What is left of the plants are the really sturdy desert sorts, mostly agaves with some native trees and quite a bit of non-native aloe, which has actually naturalized in places. I'm longing to soften it all down with the desert Penstemons and Salvias and such.
Thank you very much, Arun--so glad you liked that butterfly! It was difficult to photograph them because the wind was blowing and they are very active, never on one flower for very long.
I love the bright blue of that Salvia too; it's a special color!
Every good garden starts small! Hopefully. cooler temperatures and some rain will arrive soon to spur yours on to the next level. I love the wildflowers - anything that can survive hot and dry conditions is a winner in my book.
Yes, it has to start somewhere! Both Salvia and vinca were bought on clearance as the summer was drying everything to a crisp, but I knew that a little TLC (read water) would give me summer flowers--which I needed!
I agree about surviving the hot and dry conditions. I've been paying a lot of attention to Kurt Wilkinson's no-water Australian gardens which I found on Instagram. And of course the queen of all--Ruth Bancroft! I doubt I will take things all the way to the no-water point, but I'm getting ideas...
How wonderful to be able nurture your Sonoran desert plants. I look forward to learning to put 'names to faces'
It's already been quite a learning experience, Diana. I'll be writing more about the area and my plans soon, as well as hopefully posting some native plant profiles. Happily, the property is mostly old established growth, so I'm not just dealing with colonizers of disturbed soil.
Your garden sounds like it will turn out amazing under your care. The butterfly photos of the wildflower Hymenothrix wislizeni are a joy to look at.
Thank you so much, Yvonne! The Hymenothrix is quite a magnet for butterflies; I love watching them on it.
That golden flower really is gorgeous. Glad you have been able to identify it. It will be so interesting to see what other flowers grow wild around you in your new home, and how your garden develops. Is there already a garden there?
It's really a perfect place, Cathy, because there is a lot of hardscaping already set up (which I can't do myself) but not much planting (which I prefer to do myself) at this point, though there was probably more at one time. It's an older property and hasn't received much care for quite a while, I suspect. But there is a large patio running up to a very thoroughly designed pond--with a waterfall!--all with an artificial but well constructed little hill. I can't get it all working again yet, but I'm hoping that with some expert eyes it will come back into working order without too much fixing. Fingers crossed.
What is left of the plants are the really sturdy desert sorts, mostly agaves with some native trees and quite a bit of non-native aloe, which has actually naturalized in places. I'm longing to soften it all down with the desert Penstemons and Salvias and such.
A pond with a waterfall in the desert sounds like a dream come true! 😉 Hope you can get it repaired.
You may not have many blooms as some folks do, but the ones you do have are beautiful!
Love the butterflies!
Have a great day!
Thanks so much, Lea! Butterflies are a very good start to a garden, I think! Happy September!
Beautiful post, the first shot of butterfly on the flower looks stunning. I love the beautiful shade of salvia.
Thank you very much, Arun--so glad you liked that butterfly! It was difficult to photograph them because the wind was blowing and they are very active, never on one flower for very long.
I love the bright blue of that Salvia too; it's a special color!
Every good garden starts small! Hopefully. cooler temperatures and some rain will arrive soon to spur yours on to the next level. I love the wildflowers - anything that can survive hot and dry conditions is a winner in my book.
Yes, it has to start somewhere! Both Salvia and vinca were bought on clearance as the summer was drying everything to a crisp, but I knew that a little TLC (read water) would give me summer flowers--which I needed!
I agree about surviving the hot and dry conditions. I've been paying a lot of attention to Kurt Wilkinson's no-water Australian gardens which I found on Instagram. And of course the queen of all--Ruth Bancroft! I doubt I will take things all the way to the no-water point, but I'm getting ideas...