Phoenix

While the wildflower season is winding down, visitors can still stroll the Harriet K. Maxwell Wildflower Trail and find something interesting to observe. It could be the white fuzzy seeds of the creosote bush backlit by the sun, goldfinches gleaning seeds from the sweet-smelling bee bush, or hummingbirds seeking nectar from penstemons still in bloom. And there are still plenty of flowers to see, from the orchid-like blossoms of the desert willow, to the yellow- blooming desert marigolds, paper flowers, dyssodias, chrysactinias, Hartwig’s sundrops, and now the beautiful foothills palo verde tree.

The ironwood trees are starting to bloom with their soft purple flowers, as well as the desert milkweed with cream-colored flowers. The Goodding’s verbena still is blooming as well as the Baja fairyduster, chocolate flower, ruellia, gaura, fleabane daisy, dicliptera, California sage, purple mat, yerba mansa, desert zinnia, mealy cup sage, Calico bush, blackfoot daisy, globe gilia, Indian blanket, Arizona honeysuckle, salvia, little leaf cordia, and hesperaloes.

The Patrick Dougherty Sculpture, installed last year, can still be enjoyed while you wander along the trail. An addition to the trail this year is the work of local artist Mayme Kratz. She has created a living plant installation called “The Breathing Room”. It is still full of flowers such as lupines, desert bluebells, and sunflowers, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in nature and breathe.

In the Garden proper, visitors can find Baja fairy dusters, dyssodia, fleabane daisies, desert marigolds, hesperaloes, chocolate flowers, coreopsis, Indian blanket, columbine, ruellias, justicias, and salvias. The yellow-green palo verdes are blooming just as the blue-green palo verdes and palo breas begin to fade. Mesquites are still blooming and now, and so is the lysiloma. The yellow orchid vine is another plant that is just beginning to flower. A few prickly pears, hedgehogs, and chollas have flowers, and some barrel cacti are now in bloom. The saguaros are really in flower and just about every one has a white-winged dove on or near-by it. The Garden is a beautiful sight to behold!

South Mountain Park
http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/hikesoth.html (no report)

Visitor Sightings (Posted Friday 2/29/08)

Entered via the Central Ave entrance and found the best "drive, park, shoot" viewing was along the San Juan Trail till you hit mile post 2.5. The lupine, poppies and fiddle necks were blooming there and in some areas you had that carpet of gold view. Lots of small, close to the ground white and purple blooms - I have no idea of what they are. Brittlebush in that area is just getting ready to bloom. The Summit trails (Dobbins Lookout, Tower, etc) have flowers but the close up views are sparse and you can't ogle driving those roads. Best hint for anyone visiting is to stop at the main information bldg and ask the Ranger which trails are offering the best assortments when they visit.