Bloomin' Blenman

With spring well on its way, and the onset of summer leading us into triple-digit temperatures, the blooming season for many of our neighborhood plants is almost over. Although, there are a few native species, particularly cactus, that bloom throughout summer. Most notably, the saguaro cactus have just begun to bloom, synchronized with the appearance of the white-winged dove, which migrate north from Mexico to mate and reproduce in the Sonoran Desert. The saguaro fruit arrives just in time for the newly born doves to feast on the juicy, red delight.

Image from Wikimedia.org (J. Folmer)

Over the past few weeks, I have been wandering through the neighborhood collecting some photographs of a few of our neighborhood's brilliant blooms.

As the palo verdes (Parkinsonia spp.) gear down from their impressive yellow display, the blossoms begin to create a yellow carpet below.

Different prickly pear species (Opuntia spp.) will continue to flower at different times throughout the summer, after which they will produce their bright pink fruit.

The chollas (Cylindropuntia spp.) found throughout the neighborhood bloom in many different shades of oranges, reds, and yellows.

This house had a stunning display of wildlife flowers.

Lantana (Lantana spp.), although not native to this region, is used quite frequently throughout the neighbohood. This variety is almost blinding in it's brightness.

The desert willows (Chilopsis linearis) are also blooming in abundance right now. Their sweet scent mathces their purple beauty.

What's you favorite spring-time bloom?