Fouquieria splendens: A Perfect Plant for a Desert Garden

Sunset Western Garden book only gives this wonderful desert plant one short paragraph. I think it deserves much more than a casual mention!

This plant is native to the Colorado/Sonoran deserts and may be found in Arizona, Texas and Mexico. Ocotillos will grow in well drained (that's Borrego) soil at elevations from sea level to 6,000 feet. They, along with creosote, are the tough desert plants able to withstand scorching days, freezing nights, strong winds and all extremes the arid region throws at them, They have never been known to be damaged by frost in this region -in fact, are hardy to 10 degrees. If you have traveled through deserts of Arizona, Texas and Mexico, you are surprised when you notice a solitary ocotillo...only to drive on to a higher (or lower) elevation and find a cluster of them. They certainly do exhibit elevation and soil preferences...and, Borrego Springs seems to fulfill all their requirements!

I would encourage every Borrego gardener to include this specimen in a home garden for many reasons: It is extremely drought tolerant, grows slowly, requires no pruning, lives for a long time (probably over one hundred years), makes a statement in your garden with it's long canes, throws a fantastic shadow when planted near a wall, adds color to the garden with brilliant orange/red blossoms and bright green shiny leaves, attracts many types of wildlife, is easy to maintain, requires no fertilizer and looks good in any season. March to May is the ideal time slot for planting!

In full bloom now, in our garden, ocotillos are frequented by hundreds of birds. The colorful blooms may be eaten and make an interesting salad garnish. Fences , boxes, walking sticks and other crafts may be made from the canes. I have found many Roadrunner nests within the sturdy cane network. A few days ago I noticed the blooms were shaking and saw orioles, mocking birds, humming birds and finches...all sharing the nectar and seeds of this stately desert plant.

If you buy a transplant expect to pay from $25 for a smaller plant to $300 for a mature specimen. If you buy an older bare root plant, you will increase your chance of a successful transplant by insuring that three to five roots measure eighteen or more inches and always try to determine how long it has been out of the ground! Plant in a hole twice as wide as the roots but at the same level it had been used to...just above the roots. DO NOT PLANT too deep! Place heavy stones around the plant to prevent toppling. A transplant needs to be watched and watered almost a year as it recovers and adjusts to the new environment. I think they appreciate a cooling misty cane sprinkle now and then, too! After about a year, they will take care of themselves!