Ok, dramatic blog post title, silly little blog post subject:
The ocotillo plant in our front yard.
♥
Our sweet house had sat empty for a year before we bought it. By the time we got our keys the house needed some love, and oh did the plants in our new yard need some serious lovin'!
I really should have taken some photos of our ocotillo {and other plants/trees} when we first moved in. In hindsight I suppose I didn't because I really wasn't sure we could save some of them. However, the ocotillo {pronounced awk-o-tee-o} has come back to life and is even sporting some blooms at the ends of its stalks - something that is rare for autumn. :o)
Now, the tree right next to our blooming ocotillo {we think is a cottonwood tree} is a different story. It's struggling, and I initially thought it should be taken down, but Doug has managed to squeeze a few fresh new leaves out of a section of the tree. I suppose this means we'll wait until spring to see what else pops out - fingers crossed that it will mimic its neighbor {Mr. Ocotillo} and be healthy once again.
Last weekend we had a bit of a storm blow through, and one of the flower pieces fell off {possibly knocked off by Doug's struggling cottonwood tree?}. The buds weren't open yet, but I thought it was cool to see one up close.
And according to Wikipedia, the flowers can be "used in salads and have a tangy flavor."
Hm.
Who knew?
I'm thinking we're going to find out one of these days...
November Attitude of Gratitude:
* I'm grateful for a husband who doesn't give up easily - not even where ailing plants are concerned.
* I'm grateful for ocotillo blooms in autumn!
* And if plants can be grateful, I know the plants in our yard are glad we moved in when we did! ;o)
11 comments:
Those blossoms are stunning! I lovebthat last picture. I think they would look great dried and in a vase.
Rinda
Arizona gardens really have different plants in them to British ones! Guess they have adapted to such a dry climate but how beautiful those flowers are. Fingers crossed they make a full recovery.
That is one unusual plant and beautiful colours.I bet the plants are very grateful for your TLC xx
Lol on the plants being grateful you moved in...and well done to Doug for persevering with them when others may have given up...hope to see lots of lovely blooming flowers come Spring time...
Kirsti xxx
I love the desert plants, they always have surprises for me. The century plant that suddenly bloomed, the yucca that sent out several new shoots, after years of just sitting there. South of Phoenix on the Indian reservation, some dwellers have made fences of ocotillo, the stuck them in the ground, and they took root, and now they have a fence that at certain seasons looks like it is on file.
Glad you have given your plants a chance to see if they come back....I find it amazing that they can look so dead and then miraculously re-emerge stronger than ever!
Alison xx
What a lovely vibrant colour those flowers are.
Those buds look so vibrant. Don't give up on that tree - have a friend who had rabbits chew a Japanese Maple practically right down to the ground and two years later it's stunning.
I love to see your different plants! If anyone can pull them through, you can
What interesting blooms! Not sure I would eat one though!
wow amazing plants gorgeous colours xx
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