Desert Garden

Desert Meadow

Recently, the native hydro seed mix was applied to the nearly two-acre desert meadow north of the entry drive that displays the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert and is an integral component to the overall garden experience at the Center. A botanical walk enables the visitor to interact with this native refuge and habitat highlighting the conservation of biological and genetic diversity within the local community. The selected hydro seed mix is comprised of 12 species native to the Sonoran Desert. During the winter and spring seasons, the glowing yellow of the brittlebush and vivid lavender carpets of sand verbena rippling over the natural dunes will provide a memorable sensory experience.

Dillon Diers
Associate ASLA, Senior Associate, the Office of James Burnett

Garden Plants

Aloe 'Blue Elf' and Coral Aloe
Among the many plants in the Center garden are three varieties of Aloe. A description and explanation of Aloe vera can be found just below this update. Another variety is Aloe 'blue elf' which grows in either full sun or deep shade. The compact form, blue-grey leaves, and stands of red to coral flowers throughout the winter make it a consistent favorite. Coral Aloe has wide, celadon leaves accented by pale, parallel striations, and rimmed in light pink. Flowering, like most aloes, is in the cool season with the dark, coral red flowers held high above foliage for up to two months at a time. Hummingbirds love them, gardeners find their form and elegance irresistible, and their sleek lines made them an easy choice to incorporate in the Center design.

Mary Irish
Horticulture Consultant to the Office of James Burnett

Garden Plants

Aloe Vera
There are three species of aloe found in the Center's garden. They include Aloe vera, perhaps the most familiar of all aloes; Aloe 'blue elf', a hybrid of uncertain origin that has become a garden favorite; and coral aloe (Aloe striata) which may be newer to most gardeners. All aloes are long-lived plants that offer graceful beauty and consistent color. The Aloe vera featured in this photo is currently in full bloom at the garden. There are two color forms for the flowers, light orange and yellow. In this garden, their upright form, durability to desert conditions, and ability to grow well even in full desert sun, make them an integral component of the sweeps of plants that characterize this design.

Mary Irish
Horticulture Consultant to the Office of James Burnett

Irrigation

Critical to the success of the garden is the irrigation infrastructure. This garden utilizes two methods of irrigation—drip and a subsurface system that disperses water evenly throughout the soil. The state-of-the-art control system manages the irrigation by receiving data from local weather stations and scheduling the duration and frequency of the watering schedule. This highly efficient system is targeted to use only 20% of the allowable water as regulated by the Coachella Valley Water District.

Dillon Diers
Associate ASLA, Senior Associate, the Office of James Burnett