Pink Blooms In the Desert Garden
Pink blooming plant in the desert graden
Embracing Spring in the Desert Southwest
Springtime in the desert southwest is a glorious time, particularly with pink blooming plants.
We say “goodbye” to cold, winter temperatures and delight in the landscape around us and it bursts into bloom.
I enjoy spending time outdoors this time of year, realizing that soon I will go into what I like to call ‘summer hibernation’ as the temperatures reach triple digits.
A Showcase of Pink Blooming Plants
Today, I thought that I would share with you some beautiful, pink flowering plants that are in bloom right now…
Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
Pink Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
The marvelous pink fairy duster shows off its pink flowers once a year in spring. The rest of the year, it quietly recedes into the background until spring arrives again.
Beavertail Prickly Pear (Opuntia basilaris)
Beavertail Prickly Pear (Opuntia basilaris)
My favorite prickly pear has vibrant, pink flowers throughout spring. One of the reasons that I like beavertail prickly pear is that it stays rather small and does not become overgrown like other species can.
Parry’s Penstemon (Penstemon parryi)
Parry’s Penstemon (Penstemon parryi)
I’m a sucker for plants that produce flowering spikes, like Parry’s penstemon. It has such a delicate, pink color and hummingbirds find it irresistible.
Pink California Poppy
Pink California Poppy
Did you know that the traditional, orange California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) comes in other colors? I think I’m in love with the pink variety.
‘Raspberry Ice’ Bougainvillea
‘Raspberry Ice’ Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea makes an excellent container plant. All you have to do is water them deeply and then allow them to dry out before watering again. Although I have a deep, magenta bougainvillea in my own garden – I must admit that I really like the variety ‘Raspberry Ice’ which has cream-colored brachts with pink tips.
Pink Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri ‘Siskiyou Pink’)
Pink Gaura (Gaura lindheimeri ‘Siskiyou Pink’
Although traditionally a summer-bloomer, this pink gaura was already blooming in March. It makes a great filler for container gardens in the warm season.
Mexican Evening Primrose (Oenothera berlandieri)
Mexican Evening Primrose (Oenothera berlandieri)
Pink, cup-shaped blooms cover Mexican evening primrose in spring. This groundcover looks great in natural desert landscapes, but can be invasive, so be careful where you use it.
Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii)
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."
