Red Desert Flowers
Desert flowers must be able to survive in environments which are inhospitable to many plants and animals. For example, the Utah State University Extension notes that deserts receive only 5 to 10 inches of rainfall each year. Flowers provide food for desert insects, birds and other desert wildlife. Some cacti and other plants produce showy red blossoms which add dramatic color to a barren landscape. Does this Spark an idea?
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Desert Paintbrush
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Several species of paintbrush grow in the desert. Desert paintbrush (Castilleja chromosa) produces red-orange bracts, or modified leaves, which are much showier than the light green true flowers. The flowers emerge from the ends of the stems, which grow in clumps up to 16 inches tall. Desert paintbrush blooms from March through June. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension recommends planting desert paintbrush in a garden in October and November.
Globemallow
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Globemallows grow up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. The 5-foot long flower stalks produce red to orange flowers which bloom from February through early July, and sometimes throughout the year.
Desert globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) grows at low elevations and produces showy flowers which range in color from red to orange.
If you wish to cultivate this perennial, plant it in the fall. According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, sparrows and other birds eat globemallow seeds, and tortoises eat the leaves.
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Hedgehog Cactus
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Two species of hedgehog cacti (Echinocereus spp.) produce red flowers. The flowers emerge from just below the tops of the stocky 18-inch, spine-covered stems.
Engelmann hedgehog cactus (E. engelmanii) produces red or reddish violet flowers, which close at night and bloom in April and May.The stems grow singly or in small groups.
Another species, known simply as hedgehog cactus (E. triglochidatus) produces scarlet flowers which bloom from May through July and remain open at night.
Penstemon
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Penstemons (Penstemon spp.) form clumps of erect flower spikes with tubular blossoms and green leaves near the bottom of the stems. Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) grows up to 3 feet tall and produces scarlet flowers that bloom in May through June. Hummingbirds obtain nectar from the flowers.
Carmine penstemon (P. utahensis) grows up to 1 foot tall and bears pink to carmine flowers that open more widely than the firecracker variety. Plant these perennials in your garden in October or November.
Poppy
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Poppies are flowering desert annuals which bloom from February through early May.(See Reference 2, pp 4,5) California poppy (Eschscholtzia californica) grows up to 6 to 12 inches tall and produces showy red, pink, or orange flowers. Shirley poppy (Papaver rhoeus) grows up to 4 feet tall and bears similarly colored flowers.
Birds feed on poppy seeds in the spring. Plant these flowers from October through early December.
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References
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