January Flowers
During this exceptionally rainy week, we did have a one day’s respite from the rain. I love how clean the landscape looks after it rains.
Aloe flower
I took advantage of the sunny day and went out to do errands, when I came upon on some blooming plants. So, I whipped out my small camera, which I always carry for opportunities like this and started snapping pictures.
Cuphea Bloom
Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa)
Chuparosa (Justicia californica)
I believe that we appreciate any plant that blooms in January because the majority of plants are dormant during the winter. This is also true in the desert. During the summer months, the landscape is riot of color. The winter months can bring shades of brown to the landscape…yet, I am so thankful for the plants that wait until winter to produce their blooms for me to enjoy.
Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
Noelle, I was just thinking exctly the same thing. I'm thankful for plants that bloom at this muted time of year. Your winter flowers are bright and cheerful and encourage me to get more winter colour in the garden. I was also wondering this morning whether the desert had discernible seasons! You've answered that question before I asked it.
It looks like Spring, doesn't it? I know this did lift your winter spirit.
Some pretty flowers, I especially like the form on the Chuparosa. i plan to try to grow some of these desert flowers for my dry garden.
I didn't realize that Aloe had such colorful flowers! I'm used to seeing it as a foliage plant.
Lovely bright winter blooms Noelle… great you carry your camera around … just in case. Nothing could bare to bloom here outdoors in winter! I continue to enjoy your colorful posts! ;>)
Does the rain you're receiving change the normal "swing" of things? (Are these plants blooming earlier than usual?)
Rain what rain? it still looks quite dry although the flowers look refreshed.
The first time I saw Brittlebush was when we were in Vegas. Really interesting blooms Noelle.
Those are great photos, Noelle. I love it when it rains in the desert.
I enjoyed wandering through your posts since my last visit.
Is double S going to share those fresh eggs with you once the hens mature? The fresh eggs are one of the benifits of living in Northern California.
I hope all the rain means good wildflowers in the desert this year. The rush to grow, flower and fruit befor the summer heat chases them back into dormancy never ceases to amaze me.
Nice to see stunning photo of beautiful flowers. Thanks so much for posting these incredible delights of nature.
I don't think I've eve seen an Aloe bloom before and the Cuphea is just beautiful! What nice bright colors for winter.
I was thinking that the bright red blooms look like anything but winter. So cheery. I hope to find more cuphea plants to add to my garden this summer ~ you never know here ~ sometimes they are in the nurseries and sometimes not. I'm glad you saw some sun today. 🙂
Beautiful shots…I love it after the rain! What lkind of cuphea is that…do you know?
Nice photos. Hope you are having a nice weekend, Ev
I have really come to like the cuphea flowers from reading about them in others blogs – its not a popular annual over here tho people do grow it as a bonsai indoors. It does flower all summer here so Noelle does yours have a certain flowering time in the desert or does it just keep going and going and going?
Such beautiful, bright blooms! They appear to have really appreciated the rain you've had. It's always good to come here and see something blooming in the dead of winter, Noelle.
Thanks for explaining the detention ponds/parks in an earlier post. I saw some of these filled with water last year and didn't realize that was their purpose. It's a logical solution, though, to your infrequent rainfall.
So lovely..just beautiful! Beautiful post!
Gorgeous photos, Noelle! Love that aloe flower! :))
Hello All,
I know I sound like a broken record…but I really appreciate you comments so much. I have not responded sooner because I was out of town over the weekend. In answer to some of your questions. We do have discernable seasons, just no snow. We do have quite a lot of plants flowering. The rain helps, but they would be flowering without it. Rosie, we grow different types of Cuphea. Some bloom year round, while others are more seasonal. Susie, I am not sure what type of Cuphea it is…it is not Bat-Faced Cuphea. I hope to do a little research to find out what kind it is.
Just beautiful! Especially for January!
Beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow! Colors that will certainly warm you up despite the temperatures. I just love the Cuphea. 🙂
I love seeing the crossover of Arizona and California natives. Yours look a tidge more drought tolerant of ours, though! Great, glisteny photos!
The Aloe blooms look so beautiful.
Look so similar to the mother of thousand blooms.