Way, way, way back on June 18th we visited the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, AZ. Our trip south was part of a biggish adventure that would see us driving south from Phoenix to Tucson, across to Las Cruces, and down to El Paso for the flight home. We'd never been to the BT Arboretum and my brother and his family were up for it so off we went.
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The Arboretum is about 65 miles east of Phoenix, they advise that you arrive "two or more hours before closing in order to see the gardens"... I would recommend at least four. This place is huge and dense, and you don't want to miss a thing.
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I've purposely saved my desert photos for the winter, when I need a reminder of the heat and blue sky. I've divided them up into 4 groups, thus the month of December will feature four "Boyce Thompson Arboretum Fridays". Today will include the entry (these Saguaro are all in the parking lot) and the Sonoran Desert Exhibit (aka the Curandero Trail).
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Kinda fun shapes...
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And so well planted...
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There were plants for sale, so you know I was happy.
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Oh! And not just plants, Cholla skeletons.
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For sale! But I had no way to get them home as they were all quite large.
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Let's survey the other offerings...
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I did buy a small pot of Gymnocalycium baldianum (shown here), but that's all.
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Onward! Yes, that's Andrew up ahead...
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Agave vilmoriniana, it's not all that common to see this beauty in a botanical garden.
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Gifts from the Goddess of Agave...
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A five-fingered Saguaro!
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And a multi-toed Opuntia.
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And a...guess it...fern!
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Notholaena sinuata/wavy cloak fern, all those in hot climates who say they can't grow ferns, have you tried this one?
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The heavens are blessing this Agave bloom.
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Off in the distance...
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Up close...
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And even closer...
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The base...
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I do love me an Ocotillo.
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The blooms have faded.
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Opuntia bigelovii, aka teddy-bear Cholla
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Agave murpheyi: "the leaves of Century Plant are traditionally dried or used fresh as a bitter tea to relieve indigestion, gas, constipation, water retention and arthritis. Prolonged internal use interferes with the absorption of vitamins in the small intestines. Before antibiotics, Maguey was used in Mexico to treat venereal diseases."
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Base...
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Bloom with bulbils.
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Sun-burnt bulbils.
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This blooming guy (Ferocactus emoryi I believe), is a great example of why people thought those lame little straw flowers should be glued on cactus at the big box store.
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Dasylirion some something...
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Close-up
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This raised planting was post-Sonoran trail, it seemed to be a collection of small succulents that liked a little moisture and shade.
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Aloe maculata/Aloe saponaria perhaps?
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Next Friday we're on to an extremely brief look at the Australian desert and a little greenhouse exploration.
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Weather Diary, Dec 6: Hi 44, Low 34/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
The Arboretum is about 65 miles east of Phoenix, they advise that you arrive "two or more hours before closing in order to see the gardens"... I would recommend at least four. This place is huge and dense, and you don't want to miss a thing.
I've purposely saved my desert photos for the winter, when I need a reminder of the heat and blue sky. I've divided them up into 4 groups, thus the month of December will feature four "Boyce Thompson Arboretum Fridays". Today will include the entry (these Saguaro are all in the parking lot) and the Sonoran Desert Exhibit (aka the Curandero Trail).
Kinda fun shapes...
And so well planted...
There were plants for sale, so you know I was happy.
Oh! And not just plants, Cholla skeletons.
For sale! But I had no way to get them home as they were all quite large.
Let's survey the other offerings...
I did buy a small pot of Gymnocalycium baldianum (shown here), but that's all.
Onward! Yes, that's Andrew up ahead...
Agave vilmoriniana, it's not all that common to see this beauty in a botanical garden.
Gifts from the Goddess of Agave...
A five-fingered Saguaro!
And a multi-toed Opuntia.
And a...guess it...fern!
The heavens are blessing this Agave bloom.
Off in the distance...
Up close...
And even closer...
The base...
I do love me an Ocotillo.
The blooms have faded.
Opuntia bigelovii, aka teddy-bear Cholla
Agave murpheyi: "the leaves of Century Plant are traditionally dried or used fresh as a bitter tea to relieve indigestion, gas, constipation, water retention and arthritis. Prolonged internal use interferes with the absorption of vitamins in the small intestines. Before antibiotics, Maguey was used in Mexico to treat venereal diseases."
Base...
Bloom with bulbils.
Sun-burnt bulbils.
This blooming guy (Ferocactus emoryi I believe), is a great example of why people thought those lame little straw flowers should be glued on cactus at the big box store.
Dasylirion some something...
Close-up
This raised planting was post-Sonoran trail, it seemed to be a collection of small succulents that liked a little moisture and shade.
Aloe maculata/Aloe saponaria perhaps?
Next Friday we're on to an extremely brief look at the Australian desert and a little greenhouse exploration.
Weather Diary, Dec 6: Hi 44, Low 34/ Precip 0
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.