Last week I visited the Arizona Cactus Garden, or, officially, Arizona Garden, a botanical garden specializing in cactus and succulents. Nope, I didn’t have to get on a plane and travel to Arizona. You can find this unique cactus garden on the campus of Stanford University in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Colorful springtime cactus blooms stood out among the sedate green colors predominant in the garden. Some of the cacti looked soft and fuzzy beckoning me to touch them. They didn’t fool me; I knew they would poke me good if I dared try.
About the Arizona Garden:
There are many unusual plants within the garden. Selections from the Cacti family include columnar, barrel and monstrose forms. Selections of succulents include Aloes, Crassulas and rosette-forming Agaves.
Capturing Moments 
So beautiful!
Thanks, Sandy.
Welcome!
Wonderful photos. The lighting is perfect.
Thank you, Marie. Timing is everything. In this case, timing was by luck. 🙂
There are several rare species of Yucca there, including one that we could not identify. The two huge Yucca filifera are two of four that were the biggest that could be moved by train at the time they were moved. That was a very long time ago, so they are much bigger now. A third but not quite as big specimen with a rotting base is a short distance away. I do not know where the fourth is, but it supposedly survives somewhere else on campus. There are exemplary specimens of Yucca schottii (or Yucca X schottii) as well. I used to volunteer there a few years ago.
Wonderful that the garden has such a long history! I appreciate you sharing some history about these beautiful Yucca.
My colleague who grows rhododendrons is a native of Palo Alto, so knows much more history about Stanford than most.
Actually, his son is a fourth generation graduate of Stanford.
Very cool. As always, thanks for sharing. I always learn a lot from you. Love it.
Donna
You are welcome.
Beautiful.
Thanks, Sherry. It’s a lovely garden cared for by volunteers.
These are so pretty. Excellent photos! I am always amazed at how many shapes there are.
Thanks, Dan. I was getting a little too close to some of these beauties, and had to take care not to poke my eye out. 😁