If you are new to growing desert wildflowers from seed you might have trouble discerning the difference between the wildflower seedlings and undesirable weed seedlings. Hopefully the following images can help you identify some of your sprouts. The removal of weed seedlings will prevent competition for moisture and nutrients, and eventually sunlight, needed by the wildflowers. Also, this is the best time to thin overcrowded wildflower seedlings to prevent the same competition and promote more vigorous prolifically blooming plants in the springtime.
| Perrenial Wildflowers |
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Blackfoot-daisy
(Melampodium leucanthum) |
Desert-marigold (l), Brittlebush (r) (Baileya multiradiata, Encelia farinosa) |
Fleabane
(Erigeron divergens) |
Globemallow
(Sphaeralcea ambigua) |
Gooddings-verbena
(Glandularia gooddingii) |
Lance-leaf coreopsis
(Coreopsis lanceolata) |
Parry's penstemon
(Penstemon parryi) |
Parry's penstemon in need of thinning (Penstemon parryi) |
White tufted evening primrose (Oenothera caespitosa) |
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| Weeds |
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Annual sowthistle
(Sonchus oleraceus) |
Filaree
(Erodium cicutarium) |
Hairy bowlesia
(Bowlesia incana) |
Schismus dandelion
(Schismus barbatus) |
Yellow sweet clover
(Melilotus officinalis) |
As the seedlings continue to grow remember to apply water if we have long stretches between gentle winter rains.
Continue to adjust irrigation schedules since temperatures are nice and cool now. Most plants have reduced water needs at this time of year and the soil dries much more slowly. Some succulent plants such as adeniums, sansevierias, stapelias (and relatives), lithops, and mesembs in general (ice plants, etc.), can easily rot if their roots are stuck in wet soil during cold weather.
This is the perfect time to assess the interior of deciduous trees such as Desert-willow (Chilopsis linearis) and Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus). Deadwood, crossing branches, and other structural problems can be more easily spotted and removed while the branches are leafless. Shrubs such as Red-bird of paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) can be cut back to about 6 inches above ground to promote branching and flowering for the next season.
Some of our perennials are dying back to the ground at this time. It's a good idea to mark the locations of plants such as Four o'clocks (Mirabilis spp.), Sacred datura (Datura wrightii) and Mexican-mint marigold (Tagetes lucida) so their underground tubers and roots are not disturbed by early spring digging or other garden work before they re-emerge with new spring growth.
Gardening Calendar Archive
November 2008
October 2008
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February 2008
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
Garden Meetings
Arizona Native Plant Society
Webster Auditorium Everyone is welcome. The Arizona Native Plant Society provides information about, fosters an appreciation of, and helps protect Arizona’s native plants. The Phoenix chapter emphasizes Sonoran Desert plants. Call Doug Green at 480-998-5638 for more information.
Tuesdays | 7-9 p.m. | February 10, March 10, April 14, May 12, 2009
Central Arizona Cactus & Succulent Society
Dorrance Hall. Everyone is welcome. The Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society encourages the appreciation, study and growing of cacti and other succulents. Each meeting features a program about aspects of these fabulous plants. Call Judy Braun-Brody at 480-481-8129 for more information.
Sundays | 2 p.m. | January 25, February 22, April 26, May 31, 2009
Annual Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale 2009
Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society
This fantastic show features prize-winning cactus and succulent plants grown by club members and judged by experts in the field. Society members will be available throughout the day to answer questions and give growing tips. Retail vendors will fill Boppart Courtyard selling cactus and succulent plants, pottery, books and more.
Friday-Sunday / March 13-15 / 9 a.m.-5 p.m. / Dorrance Hall / Free with Garden admission
Maricopa Audubon Society
Dorrance Hall | Everyone is welcome. Call Laurie Nessel at 480-968-5614 for more information.
Tuesday | 7:30 p.m. | February 3, March 3, April 7, September 1, October 6, November 3, December 1, 2009
Central Arizona Butterfly Association Meeting
The Central Arizona Butterfly Association helps promote the enjoyment of butterflying by providing educational, research and recreational opportunities to schools and the public throughout Central Arizona. Guest speaker Scottsdale resident and butterfly enthusiast Adriane Grimaldi shares her photos of recent trip to Central Mexico to see the migrating Monarchs. Will present a PowerPoint Presentation on lifecycle of the butterfly and specific plants to attract them to your backyard.
Tuesday | February 24 | 7 - 9 p.m. | Webster Auditorium | Everyone is welcome
