From Lessons in Plant Life to Creative Landscaping, Wildflower Weekend to Celebrate Sonoran Desert
Date Published: Feb 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM LESSONS IN PLANT LIFE TO CREATIVE LANDSCAPING, WILDFLOWER WEEKEND TO CELEBRATE THE SONORAN DESERT
From creating a wildflower garden to understanding desert plants and their significance to Arizonas earliest inhabitants, Wildflower Weekend at Vistancia will celebrate the Sonoran Desert through walks, clinics and lessons in the local landscape.
Free and open to the public, the event will be held March 1920 at the
master planned community located west of Lake Pleasant Road and north of Happy Valley Road in north Peoria.All events will originate at the communitys Discovery Center.
Two informative clinics focusing on creative landscape ideas and cool poolscapes are planned for March 19 and will include:
11 a.m. -- McKeown Landscape, based in Peoria, offering a variety of design options for outdoor entertainment areas incorporating desert vegetation, including a wildflower garden.
2 p.m. -- California Pools and Spas on the design of backyard pool and spool areas with the use of built-ins, fireplaces and other elements.Topics such as estimated costs and cost maintenance as well as standard pools versus saltwater pools will also be addressed.
At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 20, Native American naturalist and ethno-botanist David Morris will lead informative 90-minute walks along Vistancias Discovery Trail, a
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WILDFLOWER WEEKEND AT VISTANCIA
3.35-mile linear park that links Vistancia's neighborhoods and amenities.
The Discovery Trail leads its users on a scenic walk through natural trails, wildlife-watching areas and one of the nation's only solar gardens -- a spiraling path that winds down through a built-to-scale replica of the solar system.
Also, at noon on March 20, Morris will discuss traditional Native American uses of Sonoran Desert plants and herbs during a Harvest of the Desert program.Morris will share traditional Native American uses of Sonoran Desert plants including creosote and brittle bush as well as prickly pear and saguaro cactus.
For example, centuries ago the creosote bush was considered the drugstore of the desert because of its many uses.The leaves were made into a tea believed to have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic uses as well as to treat cuts, colds and flu.
Beans from the mesquite bush were an important food product, serving as the main source of flour in the desert for early native peoples.
Prickly pear was considered the "aloe vera of the desert," because it has the same properties as the more popular healing plant.It was also an important food source for early societies and is noted for its ability to lower blood sugar levels.
To reach Vistancia, take 99th Avenue north to Happy Valley Road.Turn left on Happy Valley Road heading west and follow four miles into the community.Follow the signs to the Discovery Center.
For more information on Wildflower Weekend, call 623- 933-6233.
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