Visiting Desert Botanical Gardens

In love with the desert? Itching to go and do something unusual, something different? Then tour the great arboretums and botanic gardens in the west and southwest. Most are located in beautiful areas, either in or near western cities, in proximity to lodging and restaurants, and most offer interesting classes as well as tours.

Phoenix, Arizona

Desert Botanical Gardens

1201 North Galvin Parkway

Phoenix, AZ 85008-3437

480-941-1225

This is a world-class arboretum, worthwhile visiting on its own. Want a learning vacation? Then attend one or several of the classes offered by the arboretum. The classes offered are interesting and varied. Here is a mere sample of the numerous classes offered in August:

• Designing Your Herb Garden
• Desert Vegetable Gardening
• Southwest Native Herbs for your Garden and Landscape
• From Plants to Paper: Natural Fiber Paper Making
• Gourd Knitting Basket
• Botanical Drawing
• Butterflies of the Southwest

For some classes, fees are charged. Others are free. Many of the classes are taught by well-known gardening authors and lecturers.

Denver, CO.

Denver Botanical Gardens

1005 York Street

Denver, CO 80206

720-865-3500

Every gardener must experience this place. Hundreds of classes on a variety of gardening and craft subjects are offered. Here is a partial list:

• Getting started in Beekeeping
• Container Water Gardening
• Water-wise ornamental grasses for hard-to-landscape areas
• Designing with Succulents
• Garden of the Gods Photo shoot (Colorado Springs)
• Water-Wise garden design workshop

Superior, AZ.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum

37625 U. S. Highway 60

Superior, AZ 85273

520-689-2811

In addition to some very interesting exhibits, Boyce Thompson Arboretum offers informative events and classes:.

• Butterfly Walk (sculpture and Pipevine Swallowtails, Queen and a variety of other butterflies).
• Dragonfly Walk (Red Rock and Roseate Skimmers, among others)
• Learn Your Lizards Guided Walk
• Plants of The Bible Guided Tour (let by Bible scholar David Oberpriller)
• Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Desert
• How to Juice Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit

Many of these tours and classes are led by noted authors in their field. All are free.

Las Vegas, NV

University of Nevada at Las Vegas Arboretum

4505 S. Maryland Parkway

Las Vegas, NV 89154-4009

702-895-1421

This arboretum extends throughout the university campus. There are guided tours, but they have to be booked two weeks in advance, Call 702-895-1421 for details. There are also some very interesting self-guided tours through the gardens. Information can be found on the University of Nevada Las Vegas web site (shown above).

Kerrville, TX

Riverside Nature Center

150 Francisco Lemos

Kerrville, Texas 78028

830-257-4873

Over 140 species of trees, cacti, wildflowers, native grasses, birds, insects and other animals. Located on the banks of the Guadeloupe River in the Texas Hill Country.

Albuquerque, NM

Rio Grande Botanic Gardens

2601 Central Avenue NW

Albuquerque, NM 87104

505-768-2000

This garden is full of interesting flora but unfortunately, there are few summer programs here directed toward adults. The few children’s activities are located at the adjacent aquarium and zoo.

If you do plan to visit, however, be sure to see all the exhibits, which include:

• Butterfly Pavilion
• Old World Gardens
• A Pollinator Garden
• Desert and Mediterranean Conservatories
• Camino de Colores
• Rio Grande Heritage Farm
• Curandera (Healer’s) Garden
• Children’s Fantasy Garden

There are so many great garden writers, xeriscape and water conservation experts, and knowledgeable artists and crafts people who could add a new dimension to this beautiful and well-designed park.