Fouquieria splendens SEEDS

Description

Fouquieria splendens seeds grow into the iconic ocotillo the most widespread and instantly recognisable plant of the North American desert, native to the desert and dry shrubland biome from southern California east through Arizona, New Mexico and south-western Texas and south into northern and western Mexico. This remarkable drought-deciduous shrub produces multiple tall, whip-like, spiny stems reaching up to 67 m, which remain bare and dormant in dry periods but burst into leaf within days of rainfall and produce spectacular clusters of vivid scarlet tubular flowers at the stem tips in spring that are among the primary nectar sources for migrating hummingbirds. Family Fouquieriaceae.

One of the most architecturally dramatic desert plants, F. splendens demands full sun, extremely sharp drainage and the strongly seasonal dry conditions of the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts. Slow from seed but ultimately one of the great landscape plants of warm-arid climates.

• Multiple tall whip-like spiny stems to 67 m the unmistakable ocotillo silhouette
• Brilliant scarlet tubular flowers in spring essential hummingbird nectar source
• Drought-deciduous: leafs out within days of rainfall; otherwise bare
• S. California to SW. Texas and N. & W. Mexico Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts
• Full sun; very sharp drainage; warm arid conditions; Fouquieriaceae

Fouquieria splendens seeds give collectors and warm-climate gardeners the chance to grow the most iconic plant of the North American desert a species whose scarlet-tipped whip-like stems have defined the visual identity of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts for millions of travellers and botanists.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.