Monday, May 10, 2010

AM Eve, Part Two--Stereotypical Arizona

Cactus and palm trees.  One little-known fact about AZ is that the saguaro cactus is so protected in the state that it's illegal to cut one down, even in your own yard.  If it's falling down and ready to drop, you either have to prop it up (like the one below with the woodpecker's nest) or pay to have it professionally removed and replanted.  Top right is a saguaro blooming.  AZ's state flower is the saguaro, and depending on how wet the winter is, you get more or less blooms.  It was a wet one this year.

This has to be my favorite picture on today's post. Prickly pear, covered in blooms. Gorgeous!

One of our neighborhood streets. In the center picture, the purple tree on the right is a jacaranda, and the white bushes are oleander.  See the propped cactus on the left?  And yes, the rumors are true.  Many yards in Arizona are just rocks.  Some people plant grass, but we are mocked by the natives.
I remember when I first moved here how weird it was to see oranges on trees.  And bouganvillea, the pink bush on the left, is one of the easiest to grow here.  Ask how many are in my yard--0.  They are "too easy, too predictable, and too messy." But aren't they beautiful?
Fewer words tomorrow.  But I thought some of you might appreciate a little AZ botany lesson.

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16 comments:

  1. Reminds me a lot of when I lived in Rancho Mirage, CA as a young girl. We had all of those plants (and the white rocks instead of grass!) in our yard.

    =)

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  2. The prickly pear is my favorite picture, too! This reminds me of my trip to AZ - I loved it! Phoenix was beautiful. I have a good friend who lives in AZ and I remember being puzzled when she ordered the rocks for the backyard of her new house. It was a long discussion. I am so used to lush green grass everywhere and it was a foriegn concept to me. Then I got there and realized why. :)
    I love these posts - good idea!

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  3. i didn't know that saguarro (I can't spell it, sory) bloomed. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Oh yes, I appreciate the lesson. Since it's raining here and supposed to continue this way...wet and rainy...all week. It will give me something to dream about!

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  5. I loved my Botany 101 w/ Professor Jen!

    Truly pretty!

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  6. Gorgeous pictures! I have written for So Scottsdale and Go Gilbert magazines regularly for years, and have yet to actually visit Arizona. I've always wanted to go, though, and seeing these pictures makes me want to visit even more!

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  7. So pretty! And so different from what I know...I've never been out there. Someday! I'll be knocking on your door! Love all these photos Jen. I enjoy seeing how and where others live.

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  8. Great Pictures Jenny! I was noticing the blooming saguaros this weekend...they are more beautiful than usual this year.

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  9. We used to go visit my Grandparents in AZ. . .I loved it. . .hope to take the kids someday because it is so unique!

    Gabe

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  10. At least I can see some sun in your pictures, as it is the 11th of rain here (may) I just sit and stare at the sun- on the computer. Rocks- seriously? Do they have patches of lawn with swing sets on them or just no play things?

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  11. Hello!
    I came across your blog thru another blog I follow. The 'Arizona' in the post title caught my attention :) I am a native of Arizona. Most days I absolutely love it (I get cold super easy so the snow and I do not agree :)). The prickly pear is one of my favorites. When I was little we use to pick the 'pears' off and eat the inside :)
    Hope you are having an awesome day!~Jenn

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  13. Ohhh, I love the pictures! AZ is beautiful. We have family there, so this really makes me miss them. And, when we lived in El Paso, our yard was all rocks. I have learned you can find beauty everywhere! Thanks for sharing yours.

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  14. I haven't spent much time in Arizona, but now that my daughter and family will be moving there to Mesa at the end of the summer (finally leaving Puerto Rico!) I hope to be spending more time there. The cacti are beautiful - California has just ugly ones. I love all the colors - beautiful in the morning light!

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  15. Oh you are making me miss my AZ days. Those pink flowers would blow onto my sisters front porch. Oh how I love my sister and so when she moved, those sweet pedals would be a sweet reminder of those days. I loved going to the back yard to pull off my own oranges. It was awesome!

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  16. ok that is just crazy crazy about not being able to rid yourself of the cactus if it's falling down...
    loved the pictures....

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