Desert Garden ~ Balboa Park

Whether a visitor or resident of San Diego, you will probably visit Balboa Park.  It is one of the gems of our city.  There are several notable gardens within the park, one of which is a cactus/succulent garden or Desert Garden, established about 70 years ago.  As a plant enthusiast and succulent collector, I find myself walking through here many times a year. Here are a few photos from a recent visit.  Notice the number of very large, old specimens.

Western end of garden

Old, very tall Yucca

Euphorbia ingens

Aloe barbarae

Opuntia

Huge clump of Agave attenuata, growing in shade.

Below:  Although disturbing, I thought I would add a few photos of what tends to occur in public gardens ~ vandalism by graffiti.  Fortunately, most plants either cannot be carved or they have enough spines to protect themselves.  Opuntias and agaves are the primary victims.  Such a shame!

Back to the more natural....

Blooming Crassula falcata growing under cactus

Unknown Opuntia with very large pads.  Some were over 12" in diameter.

This clump of aloes looked like flames of fire

Aloes and euphorbias

 Aloe dichotoma

Loved this combination!

The Opuntias were all forming fruit.  Guess I'll have to visit again when they ripen!