Desert blooms show vastness of color

THE GARDEN FANATIC

“To say the desert is stingy with everything except space and light,

stone and earth is close to the truth.”

-- WILLIAM LEAST HEAT MOON

“Only the desert has a fascination ... to ride alone -- away from

man.”

-- D. H. LAWRENCE

Catharine and I disappeared in Death Valley last weekend, along

with friends Emma, Mike, Lynn and James.

The recent rains we experienced in Laguna also made their way over

the Eastern Toll Road to Death Valley. Driving mainly off pavement,

we experienced snow, wind, abundant sunlight and flowers.

The floral displays of Death Valley are fascinating and often

exceed those seen in the best local gardens.

Without ever leaving the comfort of your car, you can view many

plants in brilliant bloom through April.

These plants are not limited to cactus. It is difficult to find

cacti on the valley floor. Although cacti thrive in this arid clime,

they prefer the relatively milder conditions that the higher canyons

and passes afford.

It appears that yellow is a common early color in the desert, from

flowers to vehicles. Pollinators are attracted by its visibility.

Creosote bush, evening primrose, turtleback and mesquite are common

yellow flowering plants in the Valley.

The creosote bush is widely distributed throughout the Mojave

Desert and may be found growing almost everywhere in Death Valley. It

appears to be as happy in the sea level locale of Stove Pipe Wells as

it does in the chilly altitude of Cottonwood Canyon.

Despite its lanky and loose form, I always welcome its shade and

pretty yellow flowers during my desert treks.

The yellow blooms of the evening primrose and the white-flowering

desert primrose are a welcome sight in Titus Canyon. Both

trumpet-shaped flowers are quite attractive.

As in the case of most members of this family, the flowers change

colors during the evening. The evening primrose transforms to light

red, while the desert primrose will be soft pink in the early

morning.

At the southern end of the valley, turtleback becomes a quick

acquaintance on the Warm Springs road to Striped Butte. Its small

yellow flowers are fragrant on a compact spreading plant, which

resembles the back of a turtle. The thick woolly leaves release a

pungent odor when they are touched.

The ubiquitous mesquite displays flowing yellow blooms nearly 3

inches long, but beware, the plant protects itself with long sharp

spines. A small tree, it prefers sandy, well-drained locales.

The mesquite provided food for the local Indians, and the beans

were valued for trade. Miners used the wood to process borax at the

Harmony Borax Works well before trendy chefs discovered the benefits

of cooking over a mesquite flame.

The desert is a rugged place, but generous with its open vistas,

starry nights and stone of all sizes and colors. Lost momentarily in

its vastness, I found perspective to my tiny life in Laguna and vowed

to protect our public views.

See you next time.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is the owner of Landscapes by Laguna Nursery,

1540 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach. He is married to local artist

Catharine Cooper and has three cats. He can be reached at (949)

497-2438, or by e-mail to landscapes@ln.coxatwork.com.