1 - Desert Magazine of the Southwest

It's much easier to grow these
colorful desert natives in your garden
than you think — and this
month the dean of desert nurserymen,
Ted Hutchison of Calico,
tells you how.
Red Blossoms
in Your
Desert Garden
By TED HUTCHISON
N THE California deserts grow
five red - blossoming perennials
that are easily adapted to the
home garden. All that is required is a
little understanding of their simple
needs.
These plants are Chuparosa, Mojave
Claret Cup, Ocotillo, Scarlet Bugler
and Scarlet Locoweed. They range
from sea level to 7000 feet and most
are easily grown from seed. Some can
be started from cuttings or transplanted,
but laws of the Southwestern
states prohibit the removal of native
vegetation. Therefore, these plants
should be obtained from nurseries—
and it is not against the law to collect
seeds on the desert except within National
Parks and Monuments and State
Parks.
While desert plants are very drouth
resistant after they are established, they
need plenty of moisture to start from
seed or to resume growing after transplanting.
They also like a bit of fertilizer
and apparently are not particular
which kind you give them.
Once established, these plants do
best with a few long thorough soakings
each year. Water several feet away
from the crown of the plant to train the
roots to spread out. Continuous moisture
is not good for the plants and
short surface sprinklings are especially
bad.
Seeds can be started directly in the
ground or in containers for later transplanting.
Tin cans or glazed pots are
preferred to red clay pots which dry
quickly on the desert. Milk cartons
serve well, too, but whatever type container
you use, be sure to shade it from
the hot sun or the tender roots may be
cooked by the heat.
Above—Blossoms of the Ocotillo.
Below — Mojave Claret Cup or
Mound Cactus. Photo by Roy Miller.
AUGUST, 1957