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A Hidden Garden in the Middle of Phoenix

Arizona garden, desert gardening, Flowering Annuals, Perennial, Wildflowers
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hidden garden in Encanto district in downtown Phoenix

Exploring the Charm of a Hidden Garden

Unearthing Beauty in the Encanto District

Have you ever discovered a hidden garden in a surprising place?

A few years ago, I found myself driving through the historic neighborhoods of the Encanto district in downtown Phoenix. I had finished up a landscape consultation in the area and decided to drive through the nearby neighborhoods in the historic district.  

Table of Contents hide
1. Exploring the Charm of a Hidden Garden
1.1. Unearthing Beauty in the Encanto District
1.1.1. A Blooming Hidden Garden Oasis Amidst Urban Skyscrapers
1.1.2. A Kaleidoscope of Colors
1.1.3. A Backyard Hidden Garden Wonderland
1.1.4. Hollyhocks and Timeless Charm
1.1.5. Floral Edges and Green Delights in this Hidden Garden
1.1.6. A Symphony of Water and Shade
1.1.7. A Final Flourish of Wildflowers
1.1.8. Discovering Life’s Unexpected Treasures

A Blooming Hidden Garden Oasis Amidst Urban Skyscrapers

My initial goal was to see if I could find the home my grandparents owned in the 1940’s. While I didn’t find the home, I did find a house that stopped me in my tracks.

hell strip planting

What first drew my eye was this parking strip (also known as a ‘hell strip’) between the sidewalk and street, filled with a bounty of flowering annuals and perennials.

A Kaleidoscope of Colors

The dazzling hues of California poppies, red flax, and plains coreopsis captivated my senses. Against the backdrop of the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, I marveled at the unexpected beauty thriving in the heart of downtown Phoenix.

And so, I whipped out my phone and started to take pictures. The bright colors of California poppies, red flax, and plains coreopsis caught my eye, while in the background I noticed the old, Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum where the Arizona State Fair is held every fall.

Thundercloud' sage and red yucca. Hidden Garden in the Middle of Phoenix

As I made my way up the planting bed, I saw more colorful, annual flowers. They are intermixed with globe mallow, ‘Thundercloud’ sage and red yucca.

hell strip plantings in the Middle of Phoenix

One flower that I did not expect to see in the desert garden, not to mention downtown Phoenix, was larkspur with its deep purple spikes.

Hidden Garden in the Middle of Phoenix

Multi-colored bachelor’s button flowers grew among scarlet flax and plains coreopsis.

A Backyard Hidden Garden Wonderland

Intrigued by the front garden, I met James, the homeowner’s son, who shared the garden’s transformation story. He sowed wildflower seeds in the parking strip, watched them flourish, and then graciously revealed the backyard’s hidden wonders.

Last fall, James took three packs of wildflower seeds (multiple varieties) and threw them on the bare parking strip. Afterward he added some compost on the top and watered well. Over the months, he has watched them come up and was thrilled at how the hell strip had been transformed.

He then offered to show me what he had done to the backyard – a real hidden garden. I could hardly wait to see it after seeing what he has done on the outside.

(A few of the photos are a bit blurry. I’m not sure what went wrong with my phone’s camera. You can still get a sense of the beauty in the backyard.)

Back yard garden in the Middle of Phoenix

Hollyhocks and Timeless Charm

The backyard features a divided lawn with enchanting hollyhocks that self-seed and bloom every spring. An old-fashioned patio set adds a touch of nostalgia. While a concrete pathway, artfully adorned with Bermuda grass, leads to the garage.

Hollyhocks in a southwest garden

I love hollyhocks and have grown them in the past. They self-seed and flower for me every spring.  All I give them is a little water – that’s all they need.

Hollyhocks in a southwest garden area

Floral Edges and Green Delights in this Hidden Garden

The patio’s edge bursts with the colors of blanket flowers, bachelor’s buttons, and yellow daisies. A 20-year-old crown-of-thorns plant defies its small container, flourishing under James’ care. Two Chinese elm trees provide dappled shade on sunny days, creating a tranquil oasis.

The small patio in the back of the house is filled with an old-fashioned table and chairs. They fit the age of the home perfectly!

The pathway separates the two lawn areas and leads to the garage in the back. It was created using concrete molded into geometric shapes.

Hidden Garden in the Middle of Phoenix

Bermuda grass is allowed to grow into the cracks for an interesting look.

blanket flower, bachelor's button, and yellow daisy (Euryops pectinatus) from hidden garden

The patio is edged with flowering annuals such as blanket flower, bachelor’s button, and yellow daisy (Euryops pectinatus).

Hidden Garden in the Middle of Phoenix

In this blurry photo, a large crown-of-thorns plant was thriving in a tiny container. Believe it or not, it is 20 years old and thriving in a very small pot. According to James, he waters it twice a week in summer and weekly throughout the rest of the year.

Two Chinese elm trees Hidden Garden

Two Chinese elm trees provide dappled shade on a beautiful spring day.

Hidden Garden in the Middle of Phoenix

A small potting bench stands in front of the wooden fence painted a greenish-chartreuse color. This blends well with the garden.

A Symphony of Water and Shade

A fountain graces the grassy expanse, infusing the air with the soothing sound of flowing water. Imagine the relaxation of enjoying this outdoor haven, even in the height of summer.

How relaxing would it be to enjoy this outdoor space? Even in the middle of summer with all of its shade?

Hidden Garden in the Middle of Phoenix

A Final Flourish of Wildflowers

Before bidding farewell to this hidden gem, James revealed the wildflowers he’d planted near the detached garage. Bright pinks and vibrant oranges reminiscent of the ’70s adorned the scene. This is a testament to the beauty that emerges from even old seeds.

Hidden Garden in the Middle of Phoenix
Bright pink and vibrant orange flowers from hidden garden

Bright pink and vibrant orange – doesn’t that remind you of the 70’s?

Tall poppies from hidden garden

These tall poppies were planted from 3-year-old seed that James was going to throw out. I’m certainly glad that he decided to plant them instead.

While old seed won’t germinate as well as young seed, you’ll often still get some seeds to sprout – just not as many.

Hidden Garden in the Middle of Phoenix

Discovering Life’s Unexpected Treasures

Life is full of delightful surprises, and this hidden garden is a testament to that. Though modest in size, it’s a testament to the power of careful tending. This garden has unexpected beauty that can spring forth from a seed, even in the most unlikely of places.

Keeping America (and Phoenix) Beautiful

Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
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https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Hidden_Garden_in_the_Middle_of_Phoenix_Encanto-1.jpg 728 1024 arizonaplantlady@gmail.com https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AZ-Plant-Lady-Logo-small.jpg arizonaplantlady@gmail.com2020-04-15 11:45:002023-09-27 08:44:39A Hidden Garden in the Middle of Phoenix
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8 replies
  1. Patti
    Patti says:
    April 10, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    Thanks for sharing the gorgeous wild flowers in the historic downtown area. My newlywed daughter has planted wildflower seed packets about their little historic home. I was surprised how fast they came up and I can't wait to see them bloom!

  2. deb
    deb says:
    April 10, 2015 at 1:47 pm

    Great photo of you 3, and the Phx garden is absolutely beautiful. I'm going to have to get on the wildflower bandwagon next year – a little late now for this year in Tucson, I fear!

  3. FlowerLady Lorraine
    FlowerLady Lorraine says:
    April 10, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    What a happy, colorful little garden. It must be a joy to that family.

    Love the pic of you and your sisters.

    Have a nice weekend ~ FlowerLady

  4. Tempest Devyne
    Tempest Devyne says:
    April 10, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    Thank you so much for taking and posting these pictures. I'm just starting out learning to garden in Phoenix (though I used to garden in the UK)…when I first moved here I was so disheartened by the lack of variety of plants people have in the gardens….I thought it was things couldn't be grown here (I miss my herbaceous borders and wildflowers) but having started growing veg here in a keyhole garden I'm realising that there are so many things I can try, and though keeping them alive in the summer maybe massively difficult, spring, autumn and winter are highly under utilized to bring beauty into drab brown landscapes. I am most definitely going to buy some packets of wildflower seeds and do as James has ready for next Spring….and the hollyhocks have seriously challenged my adventurous gardening side. Thank you.

  5. dryheatblog
    dryheatblog says:
    April 10, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    Nice megapost:-)

    Finding gardens like that means even more to me as a renter, now. Same thing…a yard up the street with birds of paradise and larkspurs…who would guess? Nice to see some tough older plants and natives…ideas coming to me.

  6. Brandi
    Brandi says:
    April 10, 2015 at 10:28 pm

    How lovely! Such a gem in the heart of downtown. I really love the pink poppies and will have to plant some in my yard!

  7. Felicity Sanderson
    Felicity Sanderson says:
    June 5, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    Oh my goodness, I love to see your granddaughter, Lily, finding eggs with this Easter egg hunt! After scrolling through some of the pictures of your backyard in the middle of your blog, I just love how fresh, open, and inviting your yard is with that patio and water fountain back there. The flowers really accent the fresh feeling too, and I can only imagine how refreshing it would smell with all of those wildflowers out there! Where exactly did you find your wildflower seeds? I've been thinking of planting some in my backyard this summer!
    http://www.vermontwildflowerfarm.com/wildflower-seed.html

  8. bryan flake
    bryan flake says:
    June 5, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    I love all those wildflowers. It is crazy to realize that they are just right there along a major roadway. What are the dark purple ones called? My wife loves purple, so I want to find whatever those kind are in your photo.
    http://www.vermontwildflowerfarm.com/wildflower-seed-wildflower-mixes.html

Comments are closed.

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Noelle Johnson, aka, 'AZ Plant Lady' is a author, horticulturist, and landscape consultant who helps people learn how to create, grow, and maintain beautiful desert gardens that thrive in a hot, dry climate. She does this through her consulting services, her online class Desert Gardening 101, and her monthly membership club, Through the Garden Gate. As she likes to tell desert-dwellers, "Gardening in the desert isn't hard, but it is different."
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