esrosedotblog

BEE-UUU-TIFULL

It is spring and so it is time for the spring bloom of the Hong Kong Orchid Tree.

I know. It says that they bloom once a year but ours comes out twice.

We have three smaller ones up on the north bank but for some reason they do not really bloom as well. In the desert, the microclimates are so touchy that a few feet, here or there, can make a big difference.

The orchid blooms are gorgeous and they smell great too; a musky purplish smell.

We always have flowers; the bougainvillea are all around us in many colors. But those are quiet now because of the season.

And, we have no hibiscus (white in front, red in back) because they also take a winter vacation for about a month.

So, the orchid tree is a standout. No competition. All of the attention.

In a couple of weeks we will have about five big birds of paradise out front. They are spearing up now. I have to help them a bit and split the stem at the blossom or they will wither. It is a bit like a caesarian section.

In February everything will start to come back and be in full bloom for ten months or more. One more short performance by the Orchid will be sometime in July.