Wildflower Report -- Whats In Bloom
May 13 Through May 20

       Abundant color still can be found around Arboretum trails and gardens this week -- and if you need proof, the top photos on this page were taken during the finals days of April, and the cactus blossoms and ocotillos are still looking great. Walk the High Trail and explore the Cactus Garden if you're seeking charismatic native plants - and photographers looking for "camera ready" colorful gardenscapes: the Demonstration Garden and the Children's Garden both have big carpets of vivid color, and are at their most photogenic during the afternoon hours.

       The "Demo Garden" is a short walk and is also the most handicapped-accessible collection of all. There's convenient parking adjacent to this garden - request "Picnic Area parking, please" when you arrive and pay admission ($7.50 daily for adults, $3 for ages 5-12). Daily public hours are on the Summer schedule as of May 1 and the Arboretum opens at 6:00 a.m. and closes at 3:00 p.m. during May, June, July and August.

       The Arboretum is near highway 60 milepost #223 as you approach the scenic copper-mining town of Superior, a scenic drive just 45-minutes east of Mesa, about an hour due east of Phoenix - or two hours north of Tucson if you take Oracle Road north to Highway 79, then past Florence to highway 60 - and east another 12 miles to BTA's main gate.

       Cactus blossoms dominate all Arboretum collections during May - with pink/purple Hedgehogs, yellow Prickly Pears and red Cholla flowers found in gardens throughout the 320 acres here. The first few blossoms of Saguaro Cacti, our state flower, opened last week.

The High Trail is not wheelchair accessible. This is a moderately challenging hike - and this half-mile walk overlooks Queen Creek with a bird's eye view from about treetop-level …. and most definitely rewards the observant "botano-phile" and flower seeker. Start the High Trails from the Picnic Area entrance and you can't miss impressive Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), a native plant which may hold the record in the Most Nicknames category with other monikers including "Flaming Sword," "candlewood," "slimwood," "coachwhip," Jacob's staff," and "Vine Cactus." You'll also find Flattop Buckwheat, Hopbush, Wild Tobacco and Desert Honeysuckle (Anisacanthus thurberi) all trailside along the first ten minutes hiking east on the High Trail, then nice stands of white Phlox are along the middle (approximately across from the main trail's marker #42).

         Back on the main trail, as you walk along the "Catwalk" where the trail is narrow and chain-link fence prevents you from falling into Queen Creek, look down at your feet for unusual purplish-red fruits on the Pipevine (Aristolochia watsonii). If you find one still in flower take a close-up look at the unusual flower and you'll understand the plant's common name: "Watson's Dutchman's Pipe." One memorable online descriptor of this plant reports the flower smells like the inside of a rodent's ear. Now, how do you learn a factoid like that one!??
        
         Want to enjoy Spring flowers with a relaxing video? If you have cable or broadband internet access check out the link below to watch a three-minute video clip of wildflower highlights filmed on digital video around the trails in April 2005. Turn up your speakers and enjoy the piano soundtrack -- this peaceful, relaxing video clip is best viewed with a Windows media player, and requires a broadband connection.

 http://ag.arizona.edu/bta/wildflowers_2005_384.wmv

        Boyce Thompson Arboretum is near highway 60 milepost #223 as you approach the scenic copper-mining town of Superior. What will you see and smell this week?

       WHATS IN BLOOM - AND WHERE
At the Arboretum: if you're driving from points west, take Highway 60 East to milepost #223 and you will find one of the most convenient places in all of Pinal County to see and photograph wildflowers. Head to the Cactus Garden for a variety of cactus flowers ranging from native Opuntias to exotic cacti from Central and South America. Odora (yerba de venado) is blooming throughout the Cactus Garden, and watch for hummingbirds feasting on the banks of orange-coral colored aloe flowers.

        Then walk uphill to Ayer Lake - look for the singular thin vine growing up and over a jojoba directly across the trail the round wooden ramada - this is most surely a native plant, and still unidentified as of this report! Then check out the "Quincho" Argentine-style shade structure above Ayer Lake. A short network of trails meanders northwards behind the pole-barn building, lovely (but steep) paths which traverse the South American collections. Native flowers you'll see here include Perezia, Verbena, Rattlesnake weed, Flat-topped Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasiculatum), Blackfoot daisies, Hopbush, golden Menodora and blue Prickly Phlox (Eriastrum diffusum).


           At the highest point of the main trail you're looking at Picket Post Mansion, which was Col. Thompson's winter home during the founding years of the Arboretum back in the 1920s.

You'll find shade and cooler temps once you round the bend at the hairpin turn at the bottom of the Switchbacks. Look here for Climbing Milkweed (Sarcostemma cycnanchoides), and then vines of "Wild Cucumber" (Marah gilensis) climbing and sometimes covering native jojoba shrubs. As you walk along the "Catwalk" where the trail is narrow and chain-link fence prevents you from falling into Queen Creek, look down at your feet for unusual Pipevine - (Aristolochia watsonii).


           Our High Trail is not wheelchair accessible, and is a more challenging hike - but rich rewards await the observant flower-seeker and "botano-phile" on this path. Peak color is done, but look for Miner's Lettuce flowering and also yellow Bush Penstemon (Keckiella antirrhinoides ssp. microphylla) found near the east end of this trail - above the suspension bridge. White Phlox can be found along the middle of this trail, and patches of Betondy or Red Mint (Stachys coccinea) downhill as you walk down the carved-into-rock steps, approximately across from the main trail's marker #42 and olive grove. As you reach the east end of the High Trail you can't miss the impressive Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), a native plant which may hold the record in the Most Nicknames category with other monikers including "Flaming Sword," "candlewood," "slimwood," "coachwhip," Jacob's staff," and "Vine Cactus."

           Every visitor should make a point of seeing the Demonstration Garden, a collection with packed-earth paths that are flat and particularly suitable for wheelchairs and walkers. Convenient nearby parking is nearby at the picnic ground, too; request that when you arrive. Spring in the Demonstration Garden means dozens of species are in bloom, both native and exotic. The Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden is a short walk downhill from the Visitor Center and also near the picnic area parking lot, and has color flowers including Turk's cap, aloe and Mexican sage plants to attract pollinators.          

         If your time is limited and flowers are the one and only goal of your visit, head directly to the Demonstration Garden immediately when you arrive at the Arboretum. Mesa plein air painter Burdell Moody describes the Demonstration Garden as "a Monet gardenscape come to life." Request picnic area parking when you arrive at the Arboretum, and you can park conveniently in our lower parking lot. The Demonstration Garden has abundant color, packed earth paths that are wide, flat and easily negotiated by wheelchair or walker. There are numerous places to stop, sit and enjoy the colors. Do you have a relative or housebound neighbor who seldom gets outside to enjoy Spring flowers due to a disability or trouble walking? Plan a picnic this week and accompany your friend or relative on a leisurely excursion through the Demonstration Garden.

Demonstration Garden Flowers

Acacia rigidula Blackbrush Acacia
Aloe claviflora hybrid
Aloe commutata hybrid
Aloe elegans
Aloe striata Coral Aloe
Aloe striata hybrid Coral Aloe Hybrid
Aloe variegata Partridge Breast Aloe
Aloe x 'Blue Elf' Blue Elf Aloe
Alyogyne hueglii Blue Hibiscus
Aquilegia chrysantha Golden Columbine
Aster filifolius South African Bush Aster
Baileya multiradiata Desert Marigold
Berlandiera lyrata Chocolate Flower
Bulbine frutescens Orange & Yellow Bulbine
Calliandra californica Baja Fairy Duster
Calliandra eriophylla Fairy Duster
Calylophus hartwegii Sierra Sundrops
Cercis canadensis var. mexicana Mexican Redbud
Cistus incanus
Cistus x corbariensis White Rockrose
Cistus x purpureus Purple Rockrose
Cylindrophyllum speciosum Red Spike Ice Plant
Dicliptera resupinata Arizona Foldwing
Dimorphotheca sinuata African Daisy
Drosanthemum floribundum Dew Plant
Dyssodia pentachaeta Golden Dyssodia
Echinocereus Boycethompsonii Boyce Thompson Hedgehog
Echinopsis 'Epic'
Encelia farinosa Brittle Bush
Eremophila 'valentine' Valentine Emu Bush
Eremophila decipiens
Eremophila maculata Spotted Emu Bush
Erigeron divergens Fleabane Daisy
Erigeron karvaskianus Santa Barbara Daisy
Eriogonum fasiculatum Flat-topped Buckwheat
Escholtzia californica California Poppy
Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'rosea' White Iron Bark
Euphorbia rigida Golden Spurge
Euryops pectinatus viridus Euryops Daisy
Ferocactus pilosus Red-spined Barrel
Gaillardia pulchella Indian Blanket
Gazania 'Copper King' Copper King Gazania
Gazania 'Sun Gold' Sun Gold Gazania
Gelsemium sempervirens Carolina Jessamine
Herita chirifolia Sun Daisy
Isomeris arboreus Bladderpod
Jasminum polyanthum Pink Jasmine
Justicia californica Chuparosa
Justicia candicans Red Justicia
Justicia jujuyensis Mexican Honeysuckle
Justicia sonorae Sonoran Justicia
Lavandula 'Goodwin Creek'
Lavandula multifida. Fern-leaf Lavender
Lavatera maritima Tree Mallow
Layia platygosa Tidy Tips
Limonium perezii Sea Lavender
Linaria maroccana Moroccan Toadflax
Linum grandiflora var. rubrum Red Flax
Lonicera sempervirens Trumpet Honeysuckle
Malephora crocea Croceum Ice Plant
Malephora lutea Rocky Pt. Ice Plant
Nemophila maculata Five Spot
Nemophila meinzies Baby Blue Eyes
Oenothera speciosa Mexican Primrose
Opuntia basilaris Beaver Tail Cactus
Osteomeles ecklonis
Osteomeles fruticosa Trailing African Daisy
Oxalis crassipes Pink Wood Sorel
Oxalis pes-caprae Bermuda Buttercup
Penstemon eatonii Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon fendleri Fendler's Penstemon
Penstemon parryi Parry's Penstemon
Penstemon superbus Superb Penstemon
Penstemon triflorus Hill Country Penstemon
Phacelia californica California Blue Bells
Psilostrophe tagetina Paper Flower
Rhus ovata Sugar Bush
Rosa banksiae Lady Bank's Rose (white & yellow)
Rosmarinus officinalis 'prostratus' Prostrate Rosemary
Russelia equisetiformis Coral Fountain
Salvia clevlandii Blue Sage
Salvia farniacea Mealycup Sage
Salvia greggii Autumn Sage (various colors)
Senna (Cassia) artemisioides Feathery Cassia
Senna (Cassia) phyllodinea Silver Cassia
Sophora secundiflora Mescal Bean, Texas Mtn. Laurel
Spharalcea ambigua Globe Mallow (Orange & Pink)
Stachys coccinea Betony
Tetraneuris acaulis Angelita Daisy
Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum' Bush Germander
Verbena goodingii Goodings Verbena
Verbena pulchella gracilior Moss Verbena
Yucca rigida Blue Yucca

DRIVING WEST ON HWY 60 (approaching from Globe-Miami)

    After visiting the Arboretum drive East along highway 60 another six miles up and through Queen Creek Canyon, a particularly scenic stretch of highway that lies between Superior and the Oak Flat campground of the Tonto National Forest. Care to learn more about this highway? Visit the website

http://www.arizonascenicroads.com

   ...and then click the "Phoenix and Central" link to access the "Gila-Pinal Scenic Road" link. It's a website worth visiting, with photos of the rock formations and scenery along this singular stretch of road. Its easy to be distracted by the towering hoodoos and eroded rock formations in Queen Creek Canyon and Devil's canyon, but look along the roadsides for patches of deer vetch and firecracker penstemon on the north side of the road at the base of the cliffs. Winter rains recharged the waterfall above mile marker #229, just uphill and east of the Queen Creek tunnel. This four-story waterfall is well worth looking for as you drive past. The waterfall is a popular spot for rock climbing, and accessible, too. To get there park at the roadside pullout just below and west of the waterfall. Look for the "50 MPH" sign and walk outside of the guardrail about 150 yards uphill and to the waterfall. You'll probably see rock climbers' cars parked here; Queen Creek Canyon is among the best spots in Arizona for bouldering. While you're walking look for deer vetch (Lotus rigidus), firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii), pepper grass (Lepidium lasiocarpum), rhyolite bush (Crossosoma bigelovii) and wild heliotrope (Phacelia distans). Seven-foot tall tree tobacco plants are found at the west entrance to the Queen Creek Tunnel, their yellow tube-shaped flowers are favored by hummingbirds

         During April look for deer vetch, tufted evening primrose and firecracker penstemon all adding their accents of color to the roadside as you drive uphill through Queen Creek Canyon just five miles east of the arboretum. Verbena patches are stronger this week near the Oak Flat campground.

         No wildflower drive would be complete without thick patches of photogenic poppies, so keep driving. Even during drought years robust patches of Mexican goldpoppies are easily found blooming through cracks in the sidewalk pavement and along the highway near mileposts 244-246, most vibrant of all near the Phelps-Dodge Rod Plant just East of Miami as you drive through the small community of Claypool. Robust patches of goldpoppies are vivid right along highway 60 in Miami, Claypool and Globe.

        Hike the excellent trails of Globe's Round Mountain Park during April for wallflower, desert onion, sego lilies and hedgehog cacti all at their peak.

        During early April manzanita shrubs can still be found with blossoms in Pinal Mountain foothills -- watch for red-trunked short trees with pink and white flower clusters. Pretty purple-and-white flowers on Astragalus (freckled milkvetch) can also be photographed in the lower Pinal foothills. During late April and May look for the globe-shaped "Antelope Horns" variety of milkweed. It only takes about two hours from the East Valley to reach the Pinal Mountains near Globe. Accessible hiking trails in this range include the Ice House Canyon, Six-Shooter Canyon and the Kellner Trails. The Pinals are also a prime place to find spring migrant birds (Painted Redstarts returned in April, Red-faced Warblers have usually returned by May). The Pinals offer great ponderosa/spruce fir forest birdwatching. Grace's Warbler, Bridled Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hairy Woodpecker, and Cooper's Hawk can often be found in May along the road to Pioneer Pass. Pinal Mountain trail maps are available from the Tonto National Forest Globe Ranger Station; call 928-425-7189; check out www.globemiamichamber.com or else call the Globe Chamber of Commerce at 800-804-5623 for information about the Pinal Mountains.

        For the most comprehensive and frequently updated list of wildflower reports from around Arizona visit the Desert Botanical Garden website. Please bookmark this page and return here throughout the spring as we keep it updated weekly each Spring while Spring color continues.