Spring has arrived and one woman’s wildflowers are someone else’s “weeds”.  They sure grow ‘em thick and tall out here in Arizona.  The desert is an amazing ecosystem.  Awakened by a wee bit of rain, seeds that may have laid dormant for perhaps years burst their protective husks and push up through newly moistened soil to thrive and blossom.  I’ve noticed that not all plants appear each year, they apparently must wait until their time and the moisture are just right.  This year we’re seeing a lot (okay, a whole lot!) of Fiddleneck, also called Tarweed.  The view from our kitchen window is a meadow bursting with lovely yellow flowers, but in a few weeks those lush green fiddlenecks will begin to seed, their stems turning brown and brittle.  Not so pretty anymore and also a FIRE danger!  So, I am enjoying the beautiful display now knowing that very soon, I will join forces and become one with our “weed whacker”.

P.S. I had to share this photo of my irises.  A gift from our neighbor Jack, after thinning his iris beds a few years ago.  I transplanted them and this is the first year they have bloomed.  Happy dance!