Here’s more of the spring crop of cactus flowers. These three were adjacent on a cactus paddle. I had to duck under a palo verde tree in bloom to get to the cactus underneath. Notice the center flower has a bee gathering nectar. Click on the image to enlarge.
Most of the cholla cacti on and around our property have yellow or copper flowers. Not far from our house, however, there is a cholla that produces these bright pink flowers. I stopped and got a photo of one of the flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
Cleveland Sage (a.k.a salvia clevelandii) is a shrub that grows in our courtyard. This is the third year for the sage and their beautiful (and fragrant) flowers in our yard. Click on the image to enlarge.
From Wikipedia:
Salvia clevelandii (Cleveland sage, Blue sage, Jim sage and Fragrant sage) is a perennial plant that is native to Southern California and northern Baja California, growing below 3,000 ft elevation in California coastal sage and chaparral habitat. The plant was named in 1874 by Asa Gray, honoring plant collector Daniel Cleveland.
While Bob was in the post office, I wandered over to the garden display area of our local discount department store. I just love the colors of fresh springtime flowers. Click on the image to enlarge.
Spring brings out blossoms on most of our cacti, shrubs and trees. The Arizona State Tree is the the Palo Verde. This is a photo of a tree in the wash in full bloom. A close-up of some individual blossoms can be seen in the inset. Click on the image to enlarge.
Last night, the flowers started opening. I took this image this morning of the first flower. As I post this, the second flower is opening and I will get a photo of it in the morning. A third flower pod will probably open in a few days. Click on the image to enlarge.
This Schlumbergera is one of the first houseplants I bought locally for the Arizona house. Even though it’s popular name is Christmas cactus, this one seems to have its flowers in April like an Easter cactus. No matter, though, the flowers are very pretty. Click on the image to enlarge.