I don’t know what most people think about the winter holidays in the Sonoran Desert, but it is celebrated here much the same as it is all over the United States and perhaps the world. We do have a few differences, however. Below are some photographs taken at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix earlier this month.

Poinsettias and cyclamen are popular Christmas plants because of their red, green and white colors and their suitability to cooler temperatures.

Planters with variations of this assortment can be found in numerous locations at the Desert Botanical Garden this time of year.

Naturally we do accent some of them with our desert favorites like the agave and aloe in this grouping.

And this taller cactus contrasted with poinsettias.

For evening visitors to the DBG, there are metal sculptures with votive candle holders to add to the celebratory nuance of the season (pictured here unlit during the daytime).

Recognizable in any locale is the relatively standard Christmas wreath!

That is not to say we don’t have our quirky desert expression of the season such as…

Picture courtesy of AZ Landscape Creations

Happy Holidays form JBRish in the Sonoran Desert!