Visitors to Arizona -- if they come at the right season -- always seem surprised and awed by the amazing beauty and vigor of Arizona's plant life. Our spring and summer may be different and much warmer than those seasons found in other climates, but local residents still thrill to the vibrant colors of cactus blooms and the fiery explosion of the red bird of paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) commonly seen through the region.
Explore our Seed Library for plants you can add to your garden or landscape: http://www.library.pima.gov/seed-library/
After the cactus flowers, the fruits grow fat and just as colorful as the blossoms that preceeded them. They make great jams and candy, among other things too! If cooking with native plants (harvested legally, please!) appeals to you, look at some of these books for ideas of what is possible: http://bit.ly/cooking-desert-plants
