Red Ocotillo Flowers - Fouquieria splendens
Ocotillos are an interesting plant adapted to desert climates. When they are in bloom they look even more striking. Ocotillos stand out with several woody, spiny, straight branches angling outward from the base and rising as high as 20 feet. After Spring rains, narrow, oval leaves about 2 inches long appear on the branches. Mature plants have as many as 75 slender branches. There are 11 species of the Fouquieria genus, most of which occur in Mexico. The Ocotillo is the northernmost of these species. Fouquieria splendens ranges in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of southeast California to west Texas and south into Mexico.
Ocotillo provides a vertical element to xeriscape gardens. The lofty structure of the branches accents the landscape without dominating it. In humid climates Ocotillo is prone to rot and will not flower as much. Many mature plants for sale come from the wild so be sure yours has been rescued from a bulldozer, not stripped from natural areas.
Red Ocotillo Flowers - Fouquieria splendens
Ocotillos are an interesting plant adapted to desert climates. When they are in bloom they look even more striking. Ocotillos stand out with several woody, spiny, straight branches angling outward from the base and rising as high as 20 feet. After Spring rains, narrow, oval leaves about 2 inches long appear on the branches. Mature plants have as many as 75 slender branches. There are 11 species of the Fouquieria genus, most of which occur in Mexico. The Ocotillo is the northernmost of these species. Fouquieria splendens ranges in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of southeast California to west Texas and south into Mexico.
Ocotillo provides a vertical element to xeriscape gardens. The lofty structure of the branches accents the landscape without dominating it. In humid climates Ocotillo is prone to rot and will not flower as much. Many mature plants for sale come from the wild so be sure yours has been rescued from a bulldozer, not stripped from natural areas.