Trying to learn all the desert plants isn’t easy and I am curious to know what I can about the desert landscape. One of the most familiar plants that comes to mind is the saguaro cactus which can be seen almost every where in Arizona. The correct pronunciation is “sah-wah-ro” or “suh-wah-ro.” The saguaro produces flowers every May and June which are called saguaro cactus flowers which is our state flower. The saguaro only grows in the Sonoran Desert which includes 120,000 square miles in Arizona and California. Saguaro are a very slow growing cactus, they can grow to be between 40-60 feet tall. When rain is plentiful and the saguaro is fully hydrated it can weigh between 3200-4800 pounds. The cactus grows arms only after it reaches 15 feet and is around 75 years old. A fully mature saguaro will have approximately 50 arms and are 150 years old.
Harming a saguaro in any manner, including cactus plugging, is illegal by state law in Arizona, and when houses or highways are built, special permits must be obtained to move or destroy any saguaro affected.
If you want to get a sense of the amazing range of cactus types that grow in the Sonoran Desert, visit the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. 
Interested in moving to Arizona and want more information about the Fountain Hills or Scottsdale areas? You can contact me at 480 888 6708 or email me for quick answers to your questions.
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