What is free in our gardens? Volunteer plants! We often get surprises of something we did not plant shooting up after our monsoon rains and cooling temperatures. They can come from previous plantings, seeds carried in by the wind and even bird droppings.

We know cacti propagate readily — through ‘pups’ and seeds. One year I had a hanging succulent wreath on my gate and a snapdragon volunteer popped up. I could not believe it!! I did not even know that was possible.

Here is another sampling of my ‘freebies’ from this summer including gopher plants, a pine tree and a 'pup' from a Yucca Marginata.

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Marylee is the founder and former owner of Tucson’s The Contained Gardener. With more than 15 years of successfully designing and growing potted gardens in the desert’s challenging and oftentimes harsh climate, Marylee has become known as the Desert’s Potted Garden Expert. Marylee is available for in-home or digital consultations and you can always email her with your questions and comments. Follow The Potted Desert on Facebook!