Earlier this week on The Show, we talked about wildflower season in Arizona, including what to look for and where to see the most beautiful varieties.And although we may think that because the central part of the state is a desert, our typically dry conditions may be the worst enemy of wildflowers, that designation actually applies most to invasive species.One of the worst is
Arizonans are seeing unusual saguaro blooms, and experts aren t sure why
Published FOX 10 s Jennifer Martinez reports.
PHOENIX - A normal saguaro normally blooms from the top. But across southern Arizona and parts of the Valley, people are seeing something strange: flowers blooming down the stem.
We are seeing an unusual phenomenon, said Michael Chamberland, assistant agent in urban horticulture for the UArizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension. This spring, we re seeing the saguaro flowers which usually occur as a crown cluster at the top. They are occurring lower down on the stem as well.
Chamberland says it is unknown what is causing the flowers to bloom in unusual places.
In fact, there are more than 200 plants that thrive in our desert climate.
“One of my favorites is the chocolate flower, that spring or fall will grace your morning grand with the aroma of sweet chocolate,” said Kirti Mathura, the Smartscape Program Coordinator at the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension.
Using local or adapted plants like the chocolate flower, in favor of turf or non-native plants, is a type of gardening called xeriscaping. Xeriscaping not only helps conserve water, but it’s beneficial for local wildlife as well.
In this week’s episode of Valley 101, a podcast from The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, podcast editor Katie O’Connell digs into xeriscaping. You’ll find out the benefits of having a xeriscaped space, as well as some hints for achieving one.