Tour a Large Arizona Garden

For 15 years, majordomo Woody Woodruff has kept everything running smoothly for billionaire homeowners who live on 7 acres in Arizona's Sonoran Desert, in Paradise Valley northeast of Phoenix. "It's a legacy garden," Woody says. "I'd roll over in my grave if the garden was ever torn out." His love of his "babies"---thousands of cacti and succulents---is evident, as is his southern drawl (he's from Georgia).
Although the types of ornamental plants that thrive in this harsh climate---with winter temps below freezing and summers in the triple digits---is limited (see Gallery on my website), Woody continually tests new ones. In addition to aloes from African deserts and vibrant pink trailing vinca, what amazed me was...[Read more at debraleebaldwi...
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ABOUT DEBRA
Award-winning garden photojournalist and bestselling author Debra Lee Baldwin shares know-how about “plants that drink responsibly” in print, photos, videos and her “Celebrating the Joy of Succulents” newsletter. Debra is based in Southern California, home to more succulent specialty nurseries and growers than anywhere else in the world.
This video's URL is • Tour a Large Arizona G...
#Arizonagardening #DesertGarden #EstateGarden #PhoenixGarden #ParadiseValley
#CactusGarden #ArizonaEstateGarden
The video of Rich Zeh's garden in Paradise Valley is at • Meet a 30-year Succule...

[@QueenofSucculents]

For more tips, ideas, and gallery of plants ID'd, check out the corresponding Q&A at debraleebaldwin.com/succulent-experts/desert-estate-garden/ 🤓

[@QueenofSucculents]

Don't you just love Woody? He's sweet, smart, funny and as huggable as a teddy bear. Plus he knows ALL about growing cactus in a Sonoran desert garden.

[@alexandralacerda492]

OMG so wonderful😍🤩

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thank you! 😊

[@tvs9978]

Beautiful property. Nothing beats a field of healthy barrel cacti

[@QueenofSucculents]

So true. The more barrels the better.

[@stevevicki5671]

As always, beautiful photography/videography!

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thank you---and thanks for your helpful suggestions earlier!

[@ronbehar3310]

Hi Debra! Ron Behar, 1st VP/Programs with the LACSS, saying HELLO and love your videos! Thank you for sharing.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Hey Ron, thank you so much. I love the LACSS!

[@ppetal1]

Wonderful. What a world.

[@botanicaltreasures2408]

At least this estate manager doesn’t have to mow acres of lawn! He keeps his cactus and succulents very tidy. A treat to see. Thanks for sharing.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@RVBadlands2015]

This garden is so amazing.

[@anthonycooper3174]

The dedication of Woody really shows and the homeowners I am sure would be so proud of his meticulous work. ☀ 🌵 ☀ 🌵 😎 🧢 🇬🇧 X

[@QueenofSucculents]

I agree. 🤩He's one of a kind.

[@wildlifegardenssydney7492]

So beautiful , sculptural and interesting Debra, Woody and the owners, thank you for the tour . I particularly liked the picture of the bird going into the cactus. Brad Lancaster works in this area (Tucson) with indigenous plants, rainwater water harvesting and indigenous shade making over paths and roads.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Glad you enjoyed it! Good to know about Brad Lancaster, thanks.

[@DeetherTan25]

Hello Debra 😃✨! Thank you so much for the new upload! 🥰 God bless you always!

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thanks John. A very different climate from yours!

[@DeetherTan25]

@@QueenofSucculents It sure is. 😊

[@igaudion973]

What a wonderful video and you guys are so obviously enjoying yourselves it's great to watch xx

[@QueenofSucculents]

Yes, visiting the garden and spending time with Woody was great fun. I'm glad it shows!

[@nmumpton]

Oh, so love this video too, Debra! I have learned so much from both Rich and Woody in your videos! Even though I am in the general Phoenix area, I would never get to see these spectacular desert gardens that are planted and grown so beautifully. Thank you so much! I hope we get to see Janet Orr's too!

[@QueenofSucculents]

Hi Nancy -- Thank you! I can't wait to show you Janet's! 😍

[@crittergirl3647]

Thank you, Debra, Woody…and of course, Archer!

[@QueenofSucculents]

Aw, thanks CG!

[@Jonathan-nd2qm]

@9:50 is some very important info for people that live out here in the desert. Weening cactus off the box store/nursery diet of excessive nutrients, too much water, and 70% shade cloth is an art itself

[@QueenofSucculents]

Yes, Woody's clearly frustrated with that. In order for him to keep nursery plants looking as good as they did in the nursery, he'd have to tent the entire garden with shade cloth and keep new plants on a liquid fertilizer diet. Kinda defeats the purpose of having a garden in the Sonoran Desert...which obviously is possible, but one needs to be realistic...and patient.

[@charleroy1]

Good morning succulent lovers! Happy Saturdaaaaayy! Arūh!😄🐕‍🦺

[@QueenofSucculents]

Woof! 🐶

[@jimtokunaga5844]

Another awesome garden! Wow, so stunning and other worldly.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thanks, Jim. The Sonoran desert has its own special beauty.

[@chyannpayne9106]

Debra can you do more videos of you putting together potted arrangements or making tiny arrangements in cute little pots

[@QueenofSucculents]

You bet, Chyann! Have you seen all the container gardening ideas on my website? Check them out at debraleebaldwin.com/succulent-container-design/ and debraleebaldwin.com/containers/succulent-rosette-arrangements/

[@trishwhetzel2061]

What a wonderful video in amazing property. And I think Woody is absolutely adorable. Great job once again.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thanks, Trish. Yes he is 🤗

[@enriqueburdell]

Very impressive!!!😍. Congrats Mr Woodruff and thanks Debra 🌵👑

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thanks Enrique! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@louisesemrani6860]

What a property its stunning 🦘🐨❤️what a great job in the upkeep ❤️

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thanks, Louise. Woody does an amazing job!

[@marthaochoa6148]

Stunning that’s a lot of hard work

[@QueenofSucculents]

I suppose. But if you love what you do, is it work? (I can relate.)

[@cherreedensley4994]

What a fascinating landscape is being achieved in this garden. I think the process of mass plantings of the different species when the right micro climate is found or created is the best way to go. Almost opposite of what is in nature? Greetings from Australia Debra, I love you taking us to gardens we would never see otherwise. There is still so much to learn about how humans have interacted with plants and the harm that has been caused to natural environments. The people, like Woody, are doing their best to preserve what they can. The challenge is to sustain his work.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Hi Cherree -- Thank you for your comment, insights and Aussie perspective. Good point: Find a hospitable microclimate and mass-plant what works there.

[@explosivegrowthnursery705]

awesome learning curve

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thanks---good observation!

[@sergiomas7001]

Meraviglioso

[@dungrichmond]

Beautiful ilove that thank

[@alinabenoit3124]

Magnifique !

[@christineoberg7302]

Woody I am so concerned on how your magnificent garden survived this last summer. The heat just killed all my agaves and saguaros. I live in Sun city can I come and see your garden I would love to meet you+?

[@RVBadlands2015]

Beautiful garden. What times of the year do cactus need nitrogen.

[@QueenofSucculents]

At the same time of year they'd receive it naturally from rainfall, and ideally applied right before storms.

[@bobbiechinn9578]

I have been told from reliable sources that it is best to leave the old leaves on for protection like he said.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Thanks, Bobbie. It's especially important in areas with high heat in summer and frost in winter.

[@bobbiechinn9578]

@@QueenofSucculents ahhh yes...thank you for clarification. 😀

[@jangreygarin3107]

❤️❤️❤️

[@RVBadlands2015]

How long did it take this garden to get so beautiful.

[@QueenofSucculents]

Woody has been there 15 years. Learn more on the corresponding page on my site: debraleebaldwin.com/succulent-experts/desert-estate-garden/

[@701delbronx8]

There’s no way you guys aren’t dating

[@QueenofSucculents]

LOL, that would be quite the long-distance relationship...besides, he's taken. (And so am I.)

[@Killacorn]

Rich sounds like a hater😅

[@QueenofSucculents]

Rich?! Gosh no.