Common name:Ocotillo
Botanical name:Fouquieria splendens
Deciduous succulent grows at a moderate rate to 12' x 10'. Slender spined branches ascend from a common base. Medium green leaves appear when there is ample moisture. Drought deciduous. In spring, spiky clusters of red orange flowers appear. Too much water can kill this plant. Good drainage is important. Accepts full fun. Striking silhouette. Attracts hummingbirds. Native to Sonoran, Chihuahuan and Mojave Deserts.
Designer: Margaret Joplin
Photographer: Tim Fuller
Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.
Use multiple cycles of irrigation on watering days. Most sprinklers deliver water faster than soils can absorb it.
By breaking up the watering time into smaller segments, runoff can be greatly reduced.
Remove irrigation water and fertilizer from areas where you don't want weeds to grow.
