A visit to an Oasis above the Old Pubelo

[Silas_Sancona]

As mentioned in an earlier I thread in the "travel" section, I made another trip south to Tohono Chul to snap some pictures of the Palm Canyon exhibit, and various other things to share with everyone.. as well as pick up additional hard to find plants for my on going landscape renovation at the house, and colection. Additionally, I made a brief stop at a well respected cacti and succulent nursery on the far East side of town.. no pictures from there though.

While a hot day by mid spring in Arizona standards, there was enough of an upsloping breeze to take the edge off. The trade off is its easy to forget to drink enough water. Anyway, a nice day for walking the grounds. 

For those who have never been, this out of the way park/ garden is a Tucson treasure nestled further up on the north side of downtown among the areas famous thermal belt. Many years ago, Orange, Date, and Olive groves dotted the landscape before succumbing to a falling water table. While not as extensive today, there are still a few remnants of the areas past. One thing I found interesting when reading over a historical article related to this area's climate was that both Mangoes and Papaya were supposedly cultivated as well. For what it's worth, Guava, Citrus, and Quince were brought to the area when the Spanish settled north of Mexico.

First up, Palm Canyon, a smallish replication of the Sonoran desert's tropical origins that exist down toward Guaymas and San Carlos. Many of the plants and palms are the same species you might encounter on a trip to Nacapule Canyon outside San Carlos. Others can still be found in places around the southern half of Arizona, and California.. if you know where to look. Ofcourse, Mexican Fan Palms are everywhere.. enjoy

Entering the exhibit

Edited April 24, 2017 by Silas_Sancona

[Silas_Sancona]

More.. 

[Silas_Sancona]

One of several Ficus sp. native to the Sonoran region. Ficus pertusa

Nacapule Jasmine, Vallesia Laniniata/ baileyana. Plumeria relative from south of the border. Named for the famous Canyon I'd referenced earlier. Extremely fragrant and hardy to roughly the mid/ low 20s. Should be grown much more. A similar looking plant, Vallesia glabra.. Pearl berry, has smaller, non fragrant flowers. Various specimens around the garden exhibit height ranging from 5' in full sun, to over 8' in some palm provided shade. 

Edited April 24, 2017 by Silas_Sancona

[Silas_Sancona]

Smaller, Nacapule Jasmine in full sun.

A little Sabal uresana for your viewing pleasure..

[Silas_Sancona]

S. Uresana trunk/ base detail. Coming along nicely

 

Brahea and Washingtonia trunks

[Silas_Sancona]

Nice looking Bursera microphylla specimen. While somewhat more hidden, there are several other Bursera sp. In the display.

 

Brahea canopy.. and welcomed shade

[Silas_Sancona]

Other stuff flowering in the canyon.

Texas tea/ pyramid bush Melochia tomentosa

 

Leucophyllum revoltum, Rarer Texas Sage species from higher elevations in Mexico. 

 

Yellow Orchid Vine.. very easy grower here in the Desert.

[Silas_Sancona]

Seeking some shade, time to head to the Riparian exhibit. 

Ipomoea arborescens, Tree Morning glory, always bare until it re- leafs during monsoon season.. Flowers in Winter.

 

Two pictures of the grotto pool that contains the park's Desert Pupfish which were more common when the areas climate was wetter. Now, these colorful.. and hard to photograph fish are restricted to less than a handful of sites on either side of the border. 

[Silas_Sancona]

Streamside retreat. Sonoran Spider lily, Hymenocalis sonorensis pictured

 

Arizona Sycamore, Platanus wrighti..  and a huge Texas Ebony on the left. 

[Silas_Sancona]

..some shady color..

Lobelia laxiflora

Anisacanthus thurbei, Desert Honeysuckle

Anemopsis californica, Yerba Mansa

Berlanderia, Chocolate Flower

More later...

Edited April 24, 2017 by Silas_Sancona

[Tom in Tucson]

Great tour of this garden! This would also be suitable for inclusion in the TRAVEL LOGS forum. I live in the same neighborhood, and have purchased many of the plants from their nursery/gift shop for my yard. Many local residents flock here for "Bloom Night" which they announce each year to herald the blooming of Peniocereus greggii.

Tom Birt - Casas Adobes, AZ

Hi 85°, Lo 47°

[Josh76]

Fantastic photos, Silas. Any idea if they get any frost there and what sort of minimum temps they get?