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.
