Spring Flowers in the Desert

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. This is a qoute from the Christian Standard Bible.  

When we arrived at Rock Hound State Park the 27th of August, 2017, this rose had small blossoms and was scraggley and unkempt.  I had worked my way through college working as a gardener.  I knew just what it needed.  

While it was dormant, I pruned it back.  When it began to show first signs of budding, I fed it rose food.  Every six weeks I reapplied rose food.  It was one of the first plants to bloom.

The first picture was taken looking out towards the road.  this one was taken looking towards our trailer.

This is a more distant view showing site 8 where we were camped for just over 8 months.

Even though we did not get any rain for almost the entire 8 months, the desert still bloomed.

These little California poppies were sparse this year.  In the past, large portions of the area would be covered with them, and they would be much larger.

More poppies.

I do not know what this shrub is, but the flowers are beautiful.

Here is a close-up of the blossoms.  If anyone who visits this blog recognizes any of the flowers I post on this blog, please identify them in the comments section of the blog.  I always welcome comments.

Again, here is a shrub with some beautiful little flowers.

This more distant view shows the full plant, and may help for identification purposes.

This little shrub has daisey-like blossoms.

These are mesquite that are coming into full blossom.

This is a beautiful Ocotillo coming into full bloom.  It is also sometimes called Jacob's Staff.  The black chin humming birds are starting to migrate into the area, and love the nectar of these blossoms.

This beautiful red flower was in site seven where Dave and Mariam Miniere live.  She told me the name of it, but I forgot.  We will call her and find out, and I'll update the blog with the name.

Almost an orchid like blossom.

A beautiful Desert Bird of Paradise was growing behind our trailer.  We watered the trees and shrubs around our site, so this one came into full bloom before any others.

We used to see these growing around Las Cruces when we first moved to New Mexico, and never knew what they were.  One day we asked Robert Apadoca, the Ranger/Manager, what they were.  He identified them for us.  The bird of paradise that grow in California is one of Margaret's favorite flowers.

The oleander bushes were just starting to come into bloom as we were preparing to leave Rock Hound State Park.  We had several along the border of our site.

The cacti were coming into full bloom.

Enjoy this close-up of the blossoms on that cactus.

This yucca plant has put up a shoot that will open into blossoms.  It is pointing out the Large Florida Mountains in the background.  They are located to the south and west of the park.

Even the barrel cactus is beginning to flower.  This one is located at site 8 and 1/2.

What a spectacular variety of colors these cacti produce.

I love these bright red blossoms.

I will end this blog post with a close-up of my favorite cactus.  I think it is tremendous that even without rain the desert can produce spectacular flowers, and Rock Hound State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in New Mexico.  We had only a light rain for a couple of  days from September through April.