Desert Botanical Garden - Phoenix, Arizona

Desert Botanical Garden

On a recent trip I had the opportunity of visiting the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona.  The Desert Botanical Garden is a 140 acre botanical garden located in Phoenix, Arizona that was founded by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society in 1937 and established at this site in 1939.  It is the home to more than 21,000 plants, including 139 species of desert plants which are considered rare, threatened or endangered.

Chihuly Glass Art Exhibit Entrance to Gardens

At the entrance to the Botanical Garden is world renowned artist's Dale Chihuly Nature of Glass Exhibit which was originally displayed in 2008. The gardens bought the glass art after the exhibit as a permanent display.

Agave Parrasana (Cabbage Head Agave)

 Fishhook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)

 The Fishhook Barrel Cactus is a member of the genus Ferocactus, meaning "fierce or wild". These are among the largest barrel cacti of the North American desert and are always cylindrical or barrel shaped.  Prominent ribs armed with heavy spines with one or more central spines curved like a fishhook give the plant its name. The vibrant yellow flowers that appear at the top of the plant develop into fleshy, juicy fruits when mature, but are not usually considered edible. I was thrilled to be able to get a photograph of these in bloom.

 Red Torch Echinopsis huascha

Ferocactus latispinus (DevilsTongue)

Devils Tongue, another member of the genus Ferocactus, grows to approximately 16 inches in height and displays beautiful purple blooms in late autumn to early winter. Its interesting elongated red spines lend towards its name. It is also known as Crow's Claw or Candy cactus.

Aloe Bloom

 Creosote Bush Larrea tridentata

Cresote Bush is a flowering plant of the Sonoran Desert which is extremely drought tolerant once established.  The resinous, waxy coating of the smaller sized leaves are adapted to reduce water loss. 

Agave americana (American Aloe)

Steele Herb Garden

Located along the Desert Living Trail, the Steele Herb Garden highlights a variety of desert-adapted herbs.

Barrell Cacti Sundial

Barbara B. Weisz & Family Plaza

The Barbara B. Weisz & Family Plaza is the home to many Mediterranean herbs.

Herb Garden

 Carnegiea gigantica (Saguaro Cactus)

The giant Saguaro Cactus is one of the defining plants of the Sonoran Desert. These majestic cacti are very slow growing, only reaching a height of one and a half inches tall in ten years, but can grow to an eventual towering height of 40-60 feet.  When fully hydrated Saguaro can weigh between 3200 and 4800 pounds and a healthy cactus can have a lifespan up to 150-200 years! 

 Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus) Endangered

 Cylindropuntia bigelovii (Teddy Bear Cactus)

Assorted Cacti

Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit

Butterfly Exhibit

Monarch Butterfly

The Mariposa Monarca Monarch Butterfly Exhibit was running during our visit, featuring the life cycle and conservation efforts to save the Monarch Butterfly. The newly planted Monarch Way Station, which was specifically designed to attract butterflies during their migratory journey, is now part of the gardens.

Cholla Cactus

Aloe dichotoma Quiver Tree

Greetings from the Sonoran Desert

Stenocereus thurberi Organ Pipe Cactus

The organ pipe cactus gets its name from the many slender vertical stems that resemble the pipes on an old-fashioned organ.  Stenocereus thrurberi stands at 20-25 feet in height and the stems are only about six inches in diameter. The flower buds that grow from the tips of the stems open at night and are pollinated by nectar feeding bats. The fertilized flowers form into large, spiny red fruit that mature by the end of summer.

 Carnegiea gigantica (Saguaro Cactus)

More of the majestic Saguaro..cannot get enough!

Sonoran Desert Wildlife (Cactus Wren) Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus

The Cactus Wren is the state bird of Arizona and is found in Arizona, southern Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, western Texas, southern California and north-central Mexico.  The cactus wren is the largest North American wren, at 18–23 cm (7.1–9.1 in) long. It feeds off of small insects, fruits and seeds and nests in cacti.

Sonoran Desert Trail

The trail shows a view of the red rock cliffs and cacti of the Sonoran Desert. 

Sonoran Desert Trail

Desert Botanical Garden Phoenix, Arizona

For more information you an visit Desert Botanical Garden.

I hope you enjoyed the visit.

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Sharing at Tuesday Garden Party

  Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.