There’s always something blooming at Rice Canyon!

Aloe africana  – African Aloe

Aloe africana is native to the summer moist coastal Eastern Cape in South Africa where it grows within thickets of shrubs from sea level to nearly 1,000 feet in elevation. This aloe is a solitary often unbranched small tree-like aloe usually grows up to 6 feet with rosettes densely crowded with gracefully arching 2 foot long lance-shaped thick grayish blue-green leaves that have prominent sharp red teeth along the margins and in a row running along the middle of the lower surface with older leaves skirting the trunk.  Flowering on this species can happen at other times but most often in mid-winter to early spring  (January – March) with an un-branched to few-branched 2 to 3 foot inflorescence of erect long-tapering terminal spikes of flowers that are orange in bud and turn yellow just prior to opening from the bottom of the spike upward.

The individual flowers are held in a downward inclination but uniquely turn upward toward the tips, making identification of this species quite easy.  Plant in full sun in well-drained soil and irrigate regularly to very little – though from a climate that gets little frost and more summer moisture within its natural range, it adapts well to our Mediterranean summer dry climate with only infrequent summer irrigation and temperatures down to 25°F.   This is a great plant that can be used as a focal point like a small tree aloe and under-planted with other succulents.  Keep it back from the path as the teeth are sharp,  catch clothing,  and cut the skin;  in flower,  it is sensational and also very attractive to bees and hummingbirds.

Cercidium x ‘Desert Museum’

This gorgeous, thornless hybrid Palo Verde makes a fine, upright shade tree. The yellow blossoms give it a dazzling display of color. ‘Desert Museum’ grows to be about 15′ – 30′ in height and width, but can be pruned to be kept smaller. Cercidium loves full sun and is impervious to heat; it can take the wind and adapts to poor soil conditions. This tree can be affected by powdery mildew if planted near the coast; it’s much better suited for the warmth and dry inland areas. Once established it only needs occasional watering.

This hybrid Palo Verde has its origin in three parent trees: Parkinsonia microphyllum, Parkinsonia floribundum, and Parkinsonia aculeate.

Tecoma x ‘Sunrise’ ™

This heavy blooming shrub can stand up to the worst heat of the low deserts and the humidity of the tropics, it’s well suited for xeric landscapes, but also responds well to moisture and fertilization in the summer. Its only limitation is sensitivity to the cold.

These flowers have a burnt orange throat accenting the inside of the flower. Each flower bud has a burnished copper color on it, and also on the back of each bloom; it’s best used in oasis and transition landscape design settings, moderately attracts hummingbirds.