Ok here goes. Another aspect if Dry Land Gardening That is different that conventional gardening. I have plants that are going into summer dormancy. It is so hot now over 100's during the day , some flowers are shutting down flower production. My Mexican, and native primrose. My Dianthus. And some native Perrenials.I had though some of these were dead, until they surprised me this spring, with an appearance. Some of these will come back in the fall.Tell me do you have any plants displaying this?
Summer Dormancy
Not yet, but they will. Out in the hills the wild creeping phlox are almost into dormancy depending on what side of the rock they are next to or what side of the hill. it's a survival thing for sure, they always come back and make a show in the springtime.
Desert flora has always fascinated me in showing the many ways to avoid heat and drought. Annuals are quick to sprout, flower and seed with significant rains; shrubs will leaf out only when moisture is available; other perennials never bother with leaves at all (e.g. cacti).
Then we introduce plants from more humid areas and pamper them, trying to get them to perform well for us. Some surprise us by showing the kinds of adaptative traits you both have mentioned -- dormancy and micro-habitat occupancy.
Even the "weeds" seem dormant this time of year except in watered areas!
Yes, Tashak and Marshseed, I agree completely. 2 plants non native desert adapted , that have exhibited this behavior are a Rudbeckia , I planted last spring , I thought it was history. All of a sudden there were the beautiful yellow blooms! Another: Mexican primrose, Yes , even this, not tough enough for this climate. But it seemed to just appear in the early spring. Like I turned my head and all of a sudden, POW! Pink Blooms! I look forward to it coming in the fall. Isnt it great the surprises nature throws you?!
It happens here too , Michele , even with the Native plants that have been here for 1000's of years . What you are experiencing is not unusual for heat producing / precipitation short areas of the country / globe .
A lot of coastal California native plants do the summer dormancy thing, as we get absolutely no rain in the summer.
(I wouldn't mind going dormant for the summer myself. :-)