Let these rare and native xeric specimens and designs motivate you to transform your water-wise garden
If there ’s one affair we hump doing , it ’s research fresh gardens . While in Phoenix , we took the chance to pop out into the famousDesert Botanical Gardenfor a minute of a reprieve from world , if even for a dyad of hours . We had heard awe-inspiring things about this garden , but seeing really is think .
Once you walk in , you are chop-chop channelise to a desert haven . It was clear that this garden is not trying to be something it is not . The entry was satisfy with native cacti and succulents galore . The interior designer had taken care not only to showcase aboriginal flora and trees but to design with them thematically by repeating several key plant . The landscaping was well thought out and architecturally likable . Beautiful stone was used to make hundreds upon hundreds of elevate planter throughout the garden , allowing the works to be right showcased and admired .
The Water Thrifty Gardens show off water-wise plants and techniques
We first wandered to the Water Thrifty Gardens , which showcase how to produce gardens in the desert while dealing with the lack of available body of water in our neighborhood . They also show rain capture and explain how utilitarian that technique can be for both gardens and the natural landscape . The Water Thrifty Gardens were full of black - spin agave ( Agave macroacantha , Zones 9–11 ) , clavellina cholla ( Cylindropuntia alcahesvar.alcahes , Zones 9–11 ) , and Pedilanthus bracteatus ( Euphorbia antisyphilitica , Zones 8–11 ) . These are all beautiful desert dwellers that bring various degrees of color , depth , and play to a water supply - wise garden .
For fantastic fragrance, visit the Sensory Garden
The next area we approached was the Sensory Garden . The Sensory Garden was filled with redolent herb and blooming flowers . From conehead thyme ( Thymus capitatus , Zones 7–10 ) and lavender ( Lavendulaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–10 ) to regal sage ( Salvia leucophylla , zone 8–11 ) and creeping rosemary ( Saliva rosmarinus‘Prostratus ’ , Zones 8–10 ) , everything was thriving and smell out amazing !
A towering forest of cardons puts on an impressive display
The path led us to a garden of cardons ( Pachycereus pringlei , Zones 9–11 ) . If you have never seen a cardon , depict a sahuaro ( Carnegiea gigantea , Zones 8–11 ) stem out from a singular base to create gigantic , just , multi - armed cacti . Typically call Mexican giant star cardon or elephant cactus , these northwestern Mexico aborigine are a mint to lay eyes on ! As you take the air the pathway , you ’re fence in by several towering cardons . We learned that when the gardens were founded , these cacti were only 5 feet tall . Now they are easy over 20 groundwork magniloquent .
Twisting, massive boojum trees look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book
Alongside the cardons are another uncommon sight . The boojum tree ( Fouquieria columnaris , Zones 9–11 ) is unlike any other . As part of the ocotillo family unit , it is quite unique . The white , orotund , tapering body is covered in thin , leafy stems that shoot straight out . Boojums can acquire 70 metrical foot tall and beyond in some instances . As they fall behind water and wet due to drouth or seasonal changes , the ramification or stems often bend and twist . They are truly some of the most unusual tree we have ever seen , which piddle us fuck them that much more .
A repetitive, cohesive design creates a formal atmosphere and ties the gardens together
Finally , as we had to drag ourselves toward the departure , we took some clip to admire the overall design of the garden . The Desert Botanical Garden has a very repetitive and forward-looking design to its beds . When using multiple of a single plant , you may make a driblet - numb gorgeous intent without overthinking it . A ocean of golden barrel cactus ( Echinocactus grusonii , Zones 9–12 ) growing amid a backdrop of American aloe ( Agavespp . and cvs . , Zones 9–11 ) and prickly Pyrus communis ( Opuntiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) seem so simple yet so powerful . As you take the air from garden to garden you will see similar plants used to produce a cohesive feeling throughout the ground . Elephant ’s bush ( Portulacaria afra , Zones 9–11 ) , Zulu giant ( Stapelia gigantea , zone 9–11 ) , and Maroc pile ( Euphorbia resinifera , Zones 9–11 ) are just a few that make appearances all over the unlike gardens . The designers figured out way to use desert - favorable cacti and plants time and time again without any of this feeling overdone or un - engaging .
We had such a beautiful sojourn to the Desert Botanical Garden . If you are in the Phoenix arena , we highly recommend dedicating several time of day to strolling through it . You will absolutely not be disappoint ; if anything , your head will be full of new ideas and inspiration for your own garden .
— Sheila Schultz and Laurel Startzel are a mother - girl duo who founded Denver Dirty Girls Container Gardening while living in Denver and have continued their business since moving to Tucson , Arizona .
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Elephant’s bush, Moroccan mound, and various yuccas (Yuccaspp. and cvs., Zones 4–11) are a few of the plants that show up continually throughout the Desert Botanical Gardens.Photo: Laurel Startzel
Black-tipped agave grow in abundance in the Water Thrifty Gardens.Photo: Laurel Startzel
Herbs overflow this bed in the Sensory Garden.Photo: Laurel Startzel
These large cardons function as trees by providing some much-needed shade to passers-by.Photo: Laurel Startzel
Boojum trees are stem succulents that bend and twist under stress, resulting in bizarre shapes in the wild. This perfectly straight one has been well taken care of.Photo: Laurel Startzel
A few plants show up again and again in several raised beds for a uniform look.Photo: Laurel Startzel
