The same created street-scape in Bend here with the waning flowers of Scarlet Gilia, Ipomopsis agreggata. The herbaceous perennials and annuals of this region tend to flower in spring and early summer taking advantage of the seasonally available moisture when it is most commonly available. Flowers in general are comprised of tissues that aren’t water thrifty. Gardeners in these areas would do well to pay attention to this, though like gardeners in most regions there is a tendency to plant flowers that come from wetter temperate climates. We do want what we want, but such ‘greening’ of the desert comes at a price.