Fouquieria columnaris-AKA: Boojum, Cirio, Candlewood

The Boojums we saw at the Gilloon garden looked so healthy and happy that I began thinking about them as drought resistant plants that could eventually grow in many Borrego gardens. They are relatively rare and difficult to find in nurseries, expensive, too...but if we request them, I think the nurseries may begin selling them. Mr. Larrik gave me one of his and I found my other cirio at a nursery stand at Quartzite, Arizona and paid less than $20 for it. Bargains are still afoot, especially when the seller thinks the plant is an ocotillo, which it certainly does resemble,especially when young! With care, a boojum will grow into a magnificent unusual specimen for your garden. If you want to see some mature plants, you can find them in Moorten Gardens, Palm Springs. Their tapering, scraggly oddness is absolutely stunning and captures your immediate attention...some even having top knots of snarly looking twigs...if human you would liken their appearance to a person having a bad hair day! The cream colored flowers usually bloom following summer rain. They can grow to 60 feet in height!

We have long been familiar with the plant, anticipating seeing the Cirio forest near Catavina, Baja California, every time we drove down the peninsula. Usually considered a plant native to Mexico, Boojums grow surprisingly well here, in Borrego Springs. In Mexico, they co-habit areas of Cardon, Yucca and Ocotillo. First named by Godfrey Sykes in 1922... his comments quoted in the N. Y. Times as, " Ho, Ho, a Boojum...definitely a Boojum". Evidently Godfrey, like I, loved Lewis Carrol's nonsensical verses..this particular plant title arising from Carroll's " The Great Snark Hunt".

I believe Borrego would be an ideal location for these plants. Our soils offer good drainage and winter temperatures are mild enough. If young plants look stressed during an unusually hot summer, shade can be provided. As they mature, they can thrive in full sun. We have two Boojums, both growing in full sun and doing quite well, requiring no more care than an Ocotillo. These slow growing plants may also be grown in containers filled with a cactus soil mix. Don't be surprised when someone asks, " Is THAT an Ocotillo? " In our garden, that question has led to many fascinating conversations!