Cat's Curiosity

John Lennon

Purple flowers of Mexican Sage dominate my desert garden.

Blooming Yucca in the desert garden

The genus Yucca is one of the most remarkable groups of flowering plants native to the New World. It includes about 40 species, most of which occur in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Although they are often associated with arid desert regions, some species are native to the southeastern United States and the Caribbean islands. What truly sets this genus apart from other flowering plants is their unique method of pollination: A specific moth that is genetically programmed for stuffing a little ball of pollen into the cup-shaped stigma of each flower. Like fig wasps and acacia ants, the relationship is mutually beneficial to both partners, and is vital for the survival of both plant and insect. In fact, yuccas cultivated in the Old World, where yucca moths are absent, will not produce seeds unless they are hand pollinated.

Cat’s Pics

Century Plants bloom only once in their life, the blooming spike is so large ( 25 feet) and grows so fast that it saps all the resources of the plant, which then dies, leaving a tall wooden seed stalk. The plant is called the “century plant” because of this “once a century” bloom (actually the plant lives an average of 25 years). It was also an important plant to indigenous people, being used for medicines, fiber, needles, and food.

I love this impressive plant with “birthmarks” on the leaves. They are slow growing, completely drought tolerant, and produce many new babies. They produce huge 10 feet high stalks with multiple flowers. I grow them in my desert garden, and can’t wait to see the first one bloom.

Thorny giant Agave

Today is a great day for gardening. I still have some plants that need new pots, and I will be transplanting some into my front yard.

Cat’s Pics

Anais Nin

Sedum Spurium Voodoo.

Procumbent to prostrate stems are adorned with small, fan-shaped, crenate foliage that is green, heavily bronzed, or red in color, and topped by interesting flat-topped infloresences in early to mid-Summer, having miniature star-shaped flowers with five petals that are red, pink, or white in color.

Cat’s Pics

A busy bee buzzes on a fragrant lavender as its glistering wings catch the early morning sun.