The Desert Garden is one of the signature gardens at The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens in Southern California, known as The Huntington.
It is a fully mature collection of succulents and cactus from around the world – a photographers fantasy land, full of strong shape and textures. On March 4, 2023 the light revealed these wonders. I am indebted to John Trager, curator of the collection for identification.
The following photos are newest part of The Huntington Botanic Garden gallery and can be licensed there.

Orange flowering Aloe ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ with bicolor Aloe petricola
Vachellia farnesiana (syn.Acacia farnesiana), Sierra Sweet acacia tree with cactus and Kalanchoe
Aloe principis hybrid flowering with purple iceplant (Lampranthus productus)
Aloe hybrid – A. principis x arborescens foliage tapestry
Aloe ‘Mango Madness’ orange flowering succulent
Succulent border tapestry with flowering Sweetheart Geranium, Pelargonium echinatum
Aloe thraskii South African succulent
Cleistocactus strausii (Silver Torch Cactus, Wooly Torch)
Desert garden with Cleistocactus strausii (Silver Torch Cactus) in succulent foliage tapestry
Aloe speciosa, Tilt-Head Aloe tall flowering succulent with Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi groundcover
Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi, (syn. Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi) flowering succulent
Fouquieria macdougalii (Ocotillo) with Cephalocereus senilis (Old Man cactus) and Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus)
Yucca aloifolia (variegated) Spanish bayonet with barrel cactus
Agave americana, gray foliage succulent among barrel cactus
Beaucarnea recurvata, Elephant’s foot or ponytail palm, evergreen caudiciform shrub small tree
Aloe hybrid ‘David Verity’ x ‘Marlothrask’ flowering succulent
Aloe arborescens flowering in a succulent tapestry
Euphorbia canariensis Canary Island spurge or Hercules club.
Aloe marlothii – Mountain Aloe flowering succulent
Kniphofia uvaria – Red-Hot Poker flowering succulent
Aloe ‘David Verity’ flowering succulent
Aloe petricola, Stone Aloe flowering succulent
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The Huntington is one of my favorite places to visit. Your photos are phenomenal! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Gerhard. I phenomenal garden and good light makes it fun
Love the photos and especially appreciate the captions with names of the plants. Getting interested in landscape design for my own garden in Los Angeles. Your books and this blog is a great help!
Thanks ! Be sure to look at the Summer-dry website for plant info and tips too.