We recently visited a Demonstration Garden that exhibits trees and plants that thrive in the Arizona desert.
This is an agave.
Theses short fuzzy looking cacti are Teddy Bear Cholla. They have strong spines with barbs on the ends. After taking pictures I walked over to look at the next plant, when I heard Luie call out behind me. When I turned, this is what I saw. I am not sure how he managed, but somehow he stepped on a small piece of the cholla that was on the ground.
That face says it all!
I attempted to use rocks to remove the cactus from his flip flop, but there was no way that was going to work. I actually ended up with a spike in my thumb. And sure enough, I can attest to the fact that they do indeed have barbs on the ends of the spikes. I managed to get the spike out with little bloodshed and a healthy respect for desert plants. And Luie? Well, he was once again, “One shoe Luie.” This was a nick name that started last summer when we were traveling around the Mt. St. Helens area and he kicked one of his shoes off over a waterfall.
Fortunately, Luie’s optimistic personality kicked in quickly,
and we were able to finish our garden tour with a happy hopping boy.
There were painted rocks here and there throughout the garden. I thought this one was so cute.
It would be fun to paint a little rock cottage like this for a home garden.
This is a blood orange. Yummm
This tree is a Royal Poinciana. I thought it was so beautiful with its delicate fern like branches.
A California Fan Palm
The Palo Verde
Senita Cactus
Ocotillo cactus
Palo Blanco
This bush wasn’t labeled, but I loved the flowers. Just beautiful.
*UPDATE
Dave used pliers to get the spines out of the flip flop. He said they were really hard to get out cleanly due to the barbs. Some of the spines broke with the tips left in the sole of the shoe. If any of those spines with barbs would have gotten into Luie’s skin, it would have been terrible!
The flowers remind me most of fuchsias. Sure would be a great accent shrub for this time of year here, especially if it doesn’t need much watering.
Ouch! Didn’t the heat burn his foot?
He never complained about a hot foot. But he mostly held our hands and hopped!
Re: teddy bear cholla – they call that the “jumping cactus” – because those pieces roll in the wind.
Re: sharpness of cactus barbs, another desert survival tip is to have a needle nose plier with you. As you learned, tweezers just can’t pull them out!
Thanks, that is a good tip. We were just talking about putting together a desert survival kit to keep in the car!
I believe the plant with Orange flowers is called a Mexican Bird of Paradise.
Oh Gem, thank you! We like to learn the names of plants and those are just beautiful!
oh beautiful plants but I will say the part about Luie and his shoe was great! The kids laughed when I read it to them. & the look on Luie’s face was priceless!
Cool real cool thanks for sharing with us.