We're recently back from a trip to Nevada, where we enjoyed both exploring natural areas and sightseeing in urban Las Vegas. One highlight was a visit to the Botanical Garden at Springs Preserve. As always, I could have spent many more hours exploring the plant collections, but our brief visit was educational and fun.
One plant that really caught my eye, was the four-colored Opal Flower (Lachenalia aloides var. quadricolor). I think I've seen this plant before; perhaps during travels to other warm climates, or on another blogger's post. In any case, it's certainly colorful and fascinating. It's native to southern Africa.
The botanical garden has an amazing collection of cacti and desert succulents, both around the various trails and in its Cactus Alley display. A few examples:
California Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus)
Thistle Cholla (Cylindropuntia tunicata)
Argentine Giant (Echinopsis candicans)
Silver Torch (Cleistocactus strausii)
Cottontop Cactus (Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus)
California Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus)
Thistle Cholla (Cylindropuntia tunicata)
Argentine Giant (Echinopsis candicans)
Silver Torch (Cleistocactus strausii)
Cottontop Cactus (Echinocactus polycephalus var. polycephalus)
Pincushion Cactus (Mammillaria pseudoperbella)
Parry's Agave (Agave parryi var. parryi)
Springs Preserve's water system is designed to be self-sustaining--collecting gray water for treatment and recycling for plant irrigation.
The Palm Garden offers shade and a welcoming resting spot.
During our visit, the botanical garden also had sweet displays of common garden plants, including potted Pansies (Viola spp.) and Kale (Brassica oleracea).
Daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
Other interesting plants of note:
Upright Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia rigida), popular with the bees, ants, and other pollinators.
Peach blossoms (Prunus persica), with their lovely, delicate beauty.
Texas Virgin's Bower (Clematis drummondii), native to the Southwestern U.S.
'Spring Bouquet' Viburnum (V. tinus), delicate and fresh, and also popular with the pollinators.
Upright Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia rigida), popular with the bees, ants, and other pollinators.
Peach blossoms (Prunus persica), with their lovely, delicate beauty.
Texas Virgin's Bower (Clematis drummondii), native to the Southwestern U.S.
'Spring Bouquet' Viburnum (V. tinus), delicate and fresh, and also popular with the pollinators.
And Desert Bluebells (Phacelia campanularia): Who can resist that bright, true blue?
It was a lovely afternoon visit. If I'm ever in the Las Vegas area again, I'll make sure to stop by this fabulous botanical garden for more exploration.
You covered a lot of ground for a brief visit! I love that Clematis, as well as the Lachenalia flowers. I planted several bulbs in that genus and found I got one quadricolor in the mix by accident - I'm wondering if it'll come back this year.
ReplyDeleteYes, I could have stayed there all day, Kris. Of course, that's almost always the case when I visit a beautiful botanical garden. ;-) Lucky you to have Lachenalia blooms. I'm thinking I might try it as an annual and overwinter it in the sunroom. Fun plant!
DeleteWhat a great collection of cactuses. It looks like a well-maintained botanical garden. Where is it located? -Tammie
ReplyDeleteIt’s only a few miles west of downtown Las Vegas. The botanical garden is just one part of the Springs Preserve area—there are a lot of other attractions/things to do there. Fun place.
DeleteBeautiful set of shots, Beth. It looks like a grand place to visit (but aren't most botanical gardens?). I particularly liked your shot of the Texas clematis. I want one (actually, I want 2 different species), but neither are easy to find. Sigh. Thanks for sharing this visit! Tina
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tina. Yes, I really wish I’d had more time there. The Texas Clematis was fun. I hope you can find both species. And, yes, botanical gardens are the best. :)
DeleteThat opal flower would have caught my eye too. What a fun place to visit. I used to live near botanical gardens, and now that I live in a more forested area, none are here!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was lovely. I feel fortunate to have the amazing Olbrich Botanical Gardens nearby (about 15 minutes away, by car). And with my American Horticultural Society membership, there are discounts and free entries at many gardens around the U.S.
DeleteYou found so many interesting plants on your visit, Beth, and many that are new to me. Isn't Las Vegas set in the middle of the desert? I am amazed at how many plants flourish there!
ReplyDeleteYes, Las Vegas is in the desert. I was surprised, too, especially with the Viburnum, Daffodils, Peach tree, etc. The potted plants make sense, since they are probably regularly watered. And of course the cacti and succulents make sense. :)
DeleteThese photos are great, Beth! I feel like I was there as much as I could be without being there :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy. It was a lovely day and a lovely trip. :)
DeleteWhat a fun adventure. I had a Silver Torch as a house plant, until our last dog, Molly accidentally tipped it over, it did not recover. My son Sam gifted me a different cactus, he planted in an pot shaped as an alligator.
ReplyDeleteFun! I have a few succulents in some indoor pots, and I've had mixed luck with them. It's nifty to see a large collection of them, as at this botanical garden. Fascinating plants!
DeleteWow those are stunning! What a nice break from wintery weather. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was great fun. :) Interestingly, the temps were warmer in S. Wisconsin for several of the days that we were in Nevada. Of course, our weather at home was much more erratic, and there were some very cold days at home, too.
DeleteThank you for this wonderful tour of the botanical garden! I am putting this one on my list for the next time I visit Nevada. One of my favorite gardens is the Arizona Desert Botanical Garden and this one looks just as nice!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, I visited that one, too. Springs Preserve is definitely worth a visit. There are so many amazing botanical gardens around the country, and the American Horticultural Society membership allows free or reduced entrance to a lot of them. :)
DeleteBeautiful! Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWish more cities had Botanical Gardens.
Thanks for your comment on my blog.
I'm always happy to visit your blog. :) It's always fun to visit botanical gardens while traveling--whether the conditions and plants are similar to mine, or entirely different.
DeleteNice to see Vegas is developing more places to visit than just casinos. The plants like snapdragons seem very out of place compared to the cactus and other Mojave natives. I wonder if the BG shuts down for the summer--it's sooooo hot there, even at night.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
Thanks! Yes, the cactus collection was incredible, and I certainly can't see the variety and that type of expansive collection near home. Very fun. Good question about summer availability. They do mention on their website: "Due to extreme heat advisories throughout the summer months, outdoor areas may close early for the health and safety of guests and employees. Please arrive early to safely enjoy the outdoor areas." We were there at a good time of year, with highs mostly in the 60s.
DeleteThat Lachenalia is amazing. Hard to believe it is real.
ReplyDeleteI know: It really caught my eye! I think I may have seen it or another variety at a garden while traveling...or perhaps on someone's blog post. Very unique and colorful!
DeleteTantalising to visit a garden and think - I - need - more time here. I had a pot of those Lachenalia bulbs, but 3 moves has lost them along the way?
ReplyDeleteLucky you to have the Lachenalia from your part of the world. What a fun and colorful plant! Yes, I definitely wish I'd had more time at this botanical garden, but I guess I always feel that way. ;-)
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