Friday, May 25, 2012

The Desert Botanical Garden, Part Two

Yesterday was Part One of our October 2011 visit to one of the most special places on earth, the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ. For Part 2 there is more spiky plant goodness to see, lots of pictures...just a few words. We start with Agave salmiana…

Agave lophantha

It seems unusual to see a Saguaro branched so low to the ground.

They called this a Yucca rostrata, its leaves seem wider than ones I’ve seen before. Beautiful!

Another Agave blooming…

This looks like perhaps a blooming Dasylirion?

Again, with the cool logo…

Cercidium microphyllum (Little Leaf Palo Verde)

Opuntia bigelovii (Teddy Bear Cholla)

Agave flexispina

Agave colorata

Agave promontorii

I believe the plants with the purple tint are Mangave 'Macho Mocha'

And of course these are Agave parryi

Aloe striata

Agave x ‘Dianita’

Okay we’re almost done! Before leaving we had to visit the gift shop, which includes a good selection of plants available for purchase. I could have done a lot of damage if it weren’t for the fact we were flying home.

Agave guadalajarana

Agave celsii 'Nova'

Agave gentryi 'Jaws'

Agave parryi truncata

Agave marmorata

So a pair of long plant tweezers is all I bought. It was a good choice though as every time I use them I remember this very special place. Hope you enjoyed your virtual visit!

29 comments:

  1. I'm exhausted--in a good way!--looking at so many gorgeous photos. I'll have to come back later and start at the top. Too much to take in :-).

    I'm impressed by how great these plants look. No damage, not even any litter from leaves, etc. (I guess there a few trees).

    There are many agaves I'd love to have. I'd never heard of Agave x ‘Dianita’ before. Do you know anything about it? It's a beauty!

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    1. I had never heard of it before either, so I can't be of any help. It is a beauty! There were trees, and to be honest I did naturally edit out anything that wasn't stunning (to me at least).

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  2. Gorgeous tour! And that Agave celsii 'Nova' is beautiful. This might compel me to visit Phoenix. All the politics down there had previously soured me on Arizona.

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    1. That definitely is a negative (the politics) but I also try not to stereotype an entire state just because the people in power are numbskulls.

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  3. AMAZING once again! and what's even better is that I think I have a major agave parryi crush going on and we can actually grow them!! YEee haw! (I don't know where that came from but it came out of my mouth and fingers - a genuine outburst of excitement that only a fellow agave fan can understand I suppose!)

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    1. Hahaha, I'm glad a danger garden post could inspire a big le YEee haw!...and oh yes I totally get it...

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  4. More phenominal spikiness...I'm kind of stunned. The purple opuntia pads were gorgeous. This place looks like it is curated and cared for amazingly well. Every plant looks perfect, and I don't think it's just your careful editing. Even the shop's plant pots match the umbrellas!

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    1. It this place is definitely not getting by on a shoestring budget, I'd guess they are very well funded. They do have a long list of events that take place year round at the garden too so they appear to be very well supported throughout the community.

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  5. Wow, thanks for all the great photos! I had a lot of "so that's what that plant is supposed to look like" moments.

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    1. Oh good point! They are so much different when they're in the ground and getting the cultural conditions they love.

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  6. You are no help regarding self control for me, now you tell me there are plants for sale. Looks like it will be a road trip with very little luggage. Do not want to take up to much space with clothing.

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    1. I once knew someone who would always visit a thrift shop before starting a vacation. She would buy an entire vacations worth of clothes which she would then get rid of along the way (rather thank laundering then when she got home). This way her luggage just kept getting more and more empty so she could buy along the way. Food for thought...

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  7. This is really fantastic -- so many cool plants! I got really excited when I saw the photo that's two below the teddy bear cholla, because that really, really looks like the cactus I've been growing for 15 years. I was disappointed there was no ID. Any ideas anybody?

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    1. Sorry that I am of no help Alan...hopefully someone will come through for you.

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  8. Thanks so much for your posts on that incredible place. I agree, and there is so much there, I will have to gradually reveal what I saw. Your images do show what I saw - how well-maintained it is, coupled with thoughtful design. They even mixed gravel mulch sizes, so it isn't a uniform carpet of 3/4"!

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    1. No doubt your critical "designers eye" will have picked up many details that my plant crazed eyes just glossed over. I look forward to your posts!

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  9. Looks like a fun walk about, I can only dream of such destinations living up here in the attic, haha. Seriously tho I love agaves and you never cease to amaze, more inspiration and more unneeded plant lust. Collecting tropicals in the north is a crazy mans hobby, yet it's fun to play around with zones. I love botanical gardens and will have to add this to the list. Xcllent!

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    1. Oh you've got to visit someday you really do! Maybe during the winter when the Aloes will be blooming and your garden will be sleeping....

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  10. Flying has to get in the way eh? Seriously stunning succulents there, definite agave heaven! Never fails to amaze me how architectural some succulents are. I could do with one of those parryi truncata.

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    1. It was probably actually a blessing in disguise, at least for the bank account.

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  11. Repeat what I said about Part 1 here. Great photos.

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  12. I skipped commenting on Part One and went directly to this post. I think I was hyperventilating and having palpitations. Plant porn is the perfect description. How long did it take you to go around? So many agaves to drool over. What? You didn't purchase additional luggage to bring home plant loot? ;-P

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    1. I didn't...keep in mind this was after two weeks of touring the desert. I was on overload...

      As for how long it took us I'd say about 3 hours. Only because I'd been there multiple times. I think my first time was about 6 hrs and the second was more like 4-5.

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  13. Those extra long tweezers are the best thing ever. I have a pair for weeding my cactus bed back in MN and it saves me a lot of pain and suffering. I think I like the term "Plant Forceps" better though, it seems classier, no?

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    1. I hate to say this...but the term "forceps" just gives me the creeps. I much prefer tweezers.

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  14. You had me at the giant ants. I must go to this place.

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    1. Annette! You haven't been?! Yes...you must go! I so enjoyed meeting you and touring through your amazing store. I took a ton of pictures (probably should have asked first but I forget my manners sometimes) and can't wait to post them. You guys have a great thing going on there!

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  15. Ooo. I'll have to look for those forceps the next time I am in there!

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