Have you ever noticed the unusual, unique and downright strange landscape plants that Dr. Seuss would create in his books?
I like to refer to them as ‘Seussical Plants’.
Earlier this month, I visited one of my favorite places, The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. There are many beautiful areas in this garden with many native, flowering shrubs and perennials.
However, there are also many ‘strange’ plants that look as if they were taken out of a page of one of Dr. Seuss’ books.
Here are a few of my favorites…
Succulents that crawl along the ground?
Can you imagine a forest of spiky Yucca plants?
Who knew you could tell time with the help of different species of Barrel cacti?
I think this Mammillaria species cactus looks like a brain, don’t you?
A towering forest of Cardon cacti makes one feel small.
The black-striped spines of this Prickly Pear doesn’t just look scary – it hurts if you get pricked.
Ponytail Palms look like they belong in a ‘Seussical’ forest, don’t you think so too?
The unique shapes of Beavertail Prickly Pear and Agave wildly contrasting.
One of the weirdest trees you’ll ever see – the Boojum tree.
The fruit from this Chainfruit Cholla is different indeed…
How about a cactus that sprouts a white beard?
After spending time in the more ‘Seussical’ areas of the garden, leaning Yuccas bade us ‘goodbye’.
*I think that I will read a Dr. Seuss book to my youngest children tonight and enjoy the whimsical plants that populated the pages of his books.
If you ever get the chance, visit the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, AZ
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Chances are, I may never have the opportunity to visit the Desert Botanical Garden. Yet, truly enjoyed your selected photos.
It was like taking a fun, short tour in itself! Thanks Noelle!
Once we got too “friendly” with cacti and had to get those spines out of our hands. We learned–the hard way–not to touch desert plants!
Some very interesting plants. The one crawling on the ground will surely give me nightmares!
The one with the white beard looks like “cousin Itt!” Loved looking at these wonderful plants. Thanks.
One of my favorite places! I was there in 110-degree heat and barely noticed it, I was so into all the plants and display gardens. My poor husband, on the other hand…(ha).
The Desert Botanical Garden is such a great place to visit, so glad we did. What an extensive collection of such amazing plants. Your right…something out of a Dr.Seuss book.
Visited the gardens a couple of years ago. Have some of the same pictures. Thanks for sharing.
cactus plants have always been my favorite. thanks for the pics, makes me wish spring was here in georgia.
Hi Rodney,
Thank you for your kind words. Hopefully, you will be enjoying an early spring. Georgia is one of my favorite places to visit.
Merry Christmas!
Noelle