Real Gardens, Real People Tour

I toured seven gardens today on the Real Gardens, Real People tour sponsored by the Master Gardening program at University of Arizona.  It was a beautiful day and north Scottsdale has some amazing views!  Here are a few plants I saw that would be good additions to any desert landscape:

Echinopsis sp.:  the blooms on this cactus are spectacular.  Blooms come in a variety of colors.  I would recommend you locate this cactus in a well-viewed area of your garden as it is a show stopper.

Tiny Tangerine Bulbine, Bulbine frutescens:
This plant is unique and dainty.  I saw it planted singularly as well as in clusters and it looks lovely either way.  Plant along a walkway so it is visible.  I love it!

Jerusalem Sage, Phlomis fructicosa
This was in a few of today's featured gardens.  The texture of the leaves is soft and soothing to the eye.  A nice alternative to the more popular sage varieties.













Other plants that caught my eye: 
Bergaalwyn Aloe, Aloe Marlothii 'Berger'
Aeonium, Aeonium undulatum
Forest Cabbage Tree, Cordyline banksii
African Mallow
Star Jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides
Pine Needle Milkweed, Asclepias linaria