Scarlet globemallow, Parry’s penstemon, stock, snapdragons, and marigold in the bed Kid 1 planted one year ago. Photo by Anna Van Devender
Arms of scarlet globemallow wave from the flower bed my son started last year on Earth Day. Bright pink Parry’s penstemon flowers polka-dot my field of view. Flicks of feathered motion alert me to finches in the shadow of the oak tree. I sit at my kitchen table, AKA favorite desk, gazing out the window to our backyard. I am daily grateful for the diversity of plants – and the animals who count on them – my eyes can feast on whether I am indoors or out.
Come on over, virtually, for a tour of the backyard flowers that have benefitted our family and the desert wildlife in Spring 2021. My husband Tim kindly helped capture insect close-ups and vivid blooms with his professional-grade lense and personal curiosity. I dug out our old Canon point-and-shoot as well, a step above my usual phone photos. The hummingbird pictures were from my phone, and I’m glad it was handy. In your own yard, plant what you like to see – then see who you attract.
Honeybees at scarlet globemallow. Photo by Tim Van DevenderParry’s penstemon blooming around wolfberry plant. Look for the ripe, red wolf berries. Photo by Anna Van DevenderParry’s penstemon, fleabane daisy, chocolate flower, and firecracker penstemon in the shade of the wolfberry shrub. Photo by Anna Van DevenderClose-up of wolfberry flowers. These bloomed most in March, resulting in berries at the end of March and early April. This one plant attracts many insects and birds to its flowers, fruit, and leaves. Photo by Tim Van DevenderHummingbird at the wolfberry flowers. Note the empty hummingbird feeder to the right. We get lots of hummers without filling the feeder. Photo by Anna Van DevenderSweet alyssum flowers close-up. These can bloom year-round. In the background are snapdragon leaves. Photo by Tim Van DevenderCreosotebush flowers and fuzzy fruit. These can also bloom year-round. Photo by Tim Van DevenderNative bee at fleabane daisy. Photo by Tim Van DevenderMexican sunflower bud. The plant is frost-sensitive and does best in warm weather. It did not freeze back this winter, nor did our other frost-sensitive plants. Photo by Anna Van DevenderGreen onion buds on the front patio. Each “bud” contains dozens of small, sweet-onion flavored flowers. Photo by Anna Van DevenderMexican evening primrose, California poppy, snapdragon, and bluebell flowers, plus strawberry leaves. Only the snapdragons were planted purposely. Everything else came up or came back on its own. Photo by Anna Van DevenderSweet alyssum in Kid 3’s old boots on the front patio. My first successful attempt at a shoe garden. Photo by Anna Van Devender
