Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ

The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, is situated in Papago Park. It presents a lot of the local and regional flora, which you might guess includes a lot of cacti. You are right!

Entrance

The most stereotypical flora in Arizona is the cactus, of which a great many varieties were on display. 

Some barrel cactus

More barrels

The Binns Pavilion was off-limits the day we visited. It is an open air pavilion that is used for receptions, ceremonies, and corporate functions.

Nothing to see here...for you

The variety of cacti continued, including some prickly pears, which I would have assumed were some other type of plant.

Saguaro and prickly pear

Some leafy thing I didn't get the name of

Purple prickly pear

Even pricklier pear!

Flowers also show up, even in December (when we visited).

Radiant

Growing together

Some yellow

A mixed bunch

And...back to the cactus

A particularly nasty cactus is Devil Cholla, a short and very spiky plant that would be good as those chains that pop car tires. They are like an unwelcome mat.

Devil Cholla

Since it was still the Christmas holiday, some of the trees still had lights on them.

Christmas decor

More decor

We did manage to see some fauna at the garden, including some unphotographable humming birds and this cute bunny.

Who's there?

Too shy for a direct picture

Not a humming bird (thus the picture)

We ran into some reruns.

Or maybe we were running in circles?

Weird cactus, but don't say that in front of them

Palo Verde is Arizona's state tree. The trunk has green bark providing water retention and subbing in for green leaves to convert sunlight into nourishment.

Not painted green for Christmas

Nearby, a cute bonsai tree has a tire swing on it.

Bonsai tree

Edible plants do exist in the desert environment. A whole section of the garden is dedicated to herbs and vegetables that grow locally.

Herb garden

Growing greens

Cool flowers!

Cool yet tiny flowers

A sensory garden provides smells, sounds, and feels for visitors. 

Some fragrant stuff

Water fountains give a beautiful sound

Not for feeling

Some of the first cacti collected for display in the garden are still here!

Old growth

A bit overwhelming--Red Torch cactus takes over!

Christmas at the Desert Botanical Garden

A hillside

Another name that caught our eyes was the Creeping Devil, another low-down cactus that looks almost like a snake.

Creeping Devil

A sign explained how the saguaro cactus supports the environment for many different desert dwellers, from birds to coyotes to turtles to insects.

It's good to have friends!

Some art is on display in the garden. Untitled, Blue Gloss is a painted aluminum work from 2017.

I have a hard time titling it myself

Weber agave

An area for relaxing

Some of our crew was pretty tired and left the gardens early, missing a couple of the trails. We'll have to go back and see some more next time!