The plant sale at Desert Botanical Garden is held in the shadow of Papago Buttes. The sea of plants are enticing. Photo credit Chuck Eirschele.
My all-time favorite plant sellers are found at botanical gardens, events put on by master gardeners or garden clubs. You can count on plants coming from the region’s backyard, there are people around to answer questions but not in a hurry to make a sale and, invariably, at least a portion of your money goes to the cause.
Early comers get first pick, but there are many of each kind of plant to choose from. Of course, succulents rule. Photo credit Chris Eirschele.
Friday my husband and I attended our first plant sale at the Desert Botanical Garden; I came with a list. My husband takes small comfort in this wise move or he knows I would attempt to pack my car with one of everything.
- Early morning is the best time, even on the first day. Everyone is fresh and you get to see it all. The downside, you have to decide. Photo credit Chris Eirschele.
Information sheets on stands are good resources for gettnig to know new plants. Photo credit Chris Eirschele.
Volunteers from botanical gardens or master gardener organizations are excellent to talk to about plants. When they have a hand dolly in tow, they are doubly helpful. Photo credit Chuck Eirschele.
I found a number of the plants I wanted for my own home garden. I did not think I would find it there, so the Lady Banks rose was my unexpected find for the day. Photo credit Chris Eirschele.
As it was, at the Desert Botanical Garden I found the red yucca Brakelights™, what will be a tall cactus, Myrtillocactus geometrizans, a crown-of-thorns bush and, my much sought out, Lady Banks rose.
A totem pole cactus of sorts, Myrtillocactus geometrizans, gets white flowers in spring. It was number one on my list, as it will be part of the bones of my garden. Photo credit Chris Eirschele.
We did not need this much help to carry the plants we took home, but there were plenty of help around for those that needed it. Photo credit Chuck Eirschele.
Spring and fall are the best times of the year to attend plant sales put on by botanical gardens or master gardener groups. You get to rub elbows, having a chat with like minded garden types. After a winter of hybernating indoors, visiting the Desert Botanical Garden is a good thing to stay gardening.
Look at all those cacti! It’s too cool here for a desert garden, which is too bad — I think one would be lovely. Cactus always seem to have such pretty flowers.