Sunday October 13, 2013

The other botanical attraction we wanted to see in Balboa Park was the Desert Garden. It is located on the eastern side of Balboa Park. I am still amazed to see the diversity of cactus and succulents that grow outside in San Diego. It is really a coastal desert with some amazing micro-climates. I stayed on Shelter Island along the harbor on my last visit and I am still amazed at the large established succulents in the gardens in the Point Loma neighborhood especially along Rozencrantz boulevard. I was stopped at a light and looked around to see Dragon trees (Dracaena draco) in a front yard. It is not unusual to see large Euphorbias, Yuccas or cactus in the older neighborhoods.

A wedding party and a large Euphorbia ingens

The garden paths are a popular jogging path

Agave attenuata

The garden is on the top slope of a canyon. The slope helps the drainage.

Euphorbia ingens

Dragon Trees – Dracaena draco

These Dragon trees are one of my favorites

Interesting branches of an Aloe tree

Quiver Tree – Aloe dichotoma