People often ask me what my favorite botanic garden or arboretum is. Obviously, Denver Botanic Gardens pops to mind quickly (I say this in case my boss reads this--he does check up on me)...but Boyce Thompson Arboretum (q.v.) has been climbing steadily higher on my favorites list. The breathtaking view of Picketpost mountain (if stolen views are garden features, theirs is Grand Larceny!) shown in the shot above by the way... but there's a LOT more to Boyce Thompson than views, Oh yes, it's their Centennial. Something to be proud of! Before I begin to enumerate things, just had to show this palm seedling germinating in the crotch of a tree not far from the entrance. Not something we have to deal with in Denver! And for completeness, here are the putative parents. I only have names for a fraction of the plants I photographed: if you know the names of anything, just post it in the comments and I'll add it to the blog post. Not sure what monocot this is: an amaryllid? Pretty sure it's not a Clivia? I liked how they were laid out under the trees.. There's even a rose garden! In fact there are numerous gardens we didn't even get to this trip: Jan and I hade to drive a long way (to Chinle as a matter of fact) so we only had a few hours to spare--so we concentrated on the following garden. The real impetus of this post is due to this fellow. As a dyed-in-the-wool liberal, I have grave concerns at how much our economy has been skewed to benefit plutocrats. Henry Wallace's shoe certainly fits the noun, but he (and especially his father--Vice President under F.D.R. and one of America's most progressive statesmen) was the exception that proves the rule. To get the flavor of this remarkable man, do click on here on "The Wallace Garden" to view a fantastic 30 minute video that you will not regret watching. Lee Brownson Here is the star of that video, who drove 60 miles to show us around on February 26 when these pictures were taken. I cannot begin to express how much I admire Lee and the extraordinary course of action he undertook to move the Wallace Garden to Boyce Thompson. The signage and labeling around the garden is outstanding. But it's the plants that truly around: thousands of enormous specimen succulents--mostly cacti--were moved from Scottsdale to Boyce Thompson. Thousands! I asked Lee how many truckloads: he didn't have a clue! It was certainly in the hundreds. This crested saguaro was one of them. Yucca filifera I was dazzled by the size and variety of yuccas--whole forests of them. What a dazzling spectacle it must be when they bloom! Do note the enormous Euphorbia resinosa at the bottom left of the tall yucca. Some enormous trees were moved as well, as you will see... I think this is a desert willow... Eucalyptus formanii Love the wild bark on this Euycalypt Echinopsis terscheckii Wonderful specimen of Argentina's "saguaro" Ceiba The iconic tree of both American and African tropics and subropics... No one will be climbing this Ceiba very soon... Forgot to photograph the label! Yucca torreyi I love giant golden barrel cacti! Lophocereus schottii A handsome specimen of Senita. There were more... Another of Ciaramitgaro's statues: this one called "Peaceful Little Ones" Grusonia bradtiana Yucca madrensis Lee Brownson (the one in front!) What fun it would be to be here in Yucca blooming season! Our native Arabis , now now doubt put in another genus! Mahonia fremontii Yucca arizonica Tarchonanthus camphoratus A very strange and cool African Composite! Eucalyptus kruseana A wonderfully red barked Eucalypt--looking almost like a Madrone! Corymbia papuana And a wonderful "ghost gum" from Australia and New Guinea--suggesting a paper birch in the wrong part of the USA! This horse almost fooled me! The shocking turquoise stained rocks do give it away. I love the way the collection blends into the surroundings. Not many botanic gardens have surroundings so dramatic! Red Butte and Kirstenbosch come to mind... We were a tad early to see Ocotillos in bloom--but their verdant short lived leaves are always delightful. Aloes didn't disappoint us. Out of focus, but we did find a Brodiea (D ipterostemon capitatus-- or Brodiaea capitata for old fogies) Pellaea truncata Rhigozum obovatum Karoo gold still had a few flowers... A strange corkscrew Senita Lophocereus schottii Lophocereus schottii I love the shaggy heads on older specimens. Opuntia sulphurea Atriplex nummularia An Australian atriplex--which reminds me of S hepherdia rotundifolia ...a lot easier to grow than the American! "If he follows me can we keep em, Pa." Sandi Ciaramitaro strikes again! There were even some daffodils The historic glasshouses (didn't go in--not enough time) <
