Week Ending 2/25/12

Bold = locally native species

FLOWERING / POLLINATING
Desert Olive / Forestiera neomexicana
Winter Jasmine / Jasminum nudiflorum
Crocus


LEAF-OUT / STEM GROWTH
Tarragon / Artemisia dracunculus
Sand Sage / Artemesia filifolia
Desert Marigold / Baileya multiradiata
Wright's Buckwheat / Eriogonum wrightii
Bearded Iris / Iris germanica
Gulf Muhley / Muhlenbergia capillaris
Catmint / Nepeta spp.
Lavender Spice / Poliomintha madrensis
Autumn Joy Sedum / Sedum X 'Autumn Joy'


BUD-SWELL / BUD-BREAK / FLOWERS FORMING
Redbud / Cercis spp.
Purple Plum / Prunus cerasifera


ANIMAL AND INSECT ACTIVITY
White-wing Dove


WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS
Last week was unsettled, unseasonably cool, and windy with much cloud cover, so there was little change in plant growth from the prior week. So, I waited a week, and plants resumed or began growth.

Winter weather that I recall in 1992-1993 and 1997-1998 has become more entrenched in Abq lately, more like that of colder deserts and the high plains to our north, than what long-term averages show. .41" of precip fell, including a fairly wet 5" of snow one Wednesday AM. The ground is moist, but air is varying from mild to colder, and few plants are showing rapid growth, so far.