Desert Botanical Gardens

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Camelback East
1201 North Galvin Parkway (southeast Of Mcdowell Road & 64th Street), Phoenix, Arizona 85008(480) 941-1225

Description: Designated an official Phoenix Point of Pride, this 50 acre garden has been home to over 21,000 plants since 1937. The garden specializes – unsurprisingly – in agave and cactus, and has among its collections 139 rare, th...Read More

Category:
Outdoors, Museums, Parks and Gardens
Hours:
Oct.-Apr., daily 8-8; May-Sept., daily 7 AM-8 PM Close
Price:
$10
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Parting shot Photo - Desert Botanical Gardens, Phoenix, Arizona

User Reviews

Results 1-10of 18 Reviews

Cactus with Flowers

by omprakash24

delhi, Virginia

May 2, 2010

I have never saw such a beautiful and huge collection of cactus and desert plants. Its very near to main city and you can get very detail information on different types of desert plant.The Desert Botanical Garden is a unique attraction in Phoenix, ...Read more

Eye Candy for the Garden Fan

by vampirefan

Charlotte, North Carolina

April 30, 2010

Best of IgoUgo I am a garden nut. I troll the pages of EBay searching out unique seeds to grow in my own garden. I pick up 2 or 3 gardening magazines at a time. This time of year I look forward to getting out and getting dirty in my gardens. No matter how ...Read more

From journal Ways to Have Fun in the Arizona Sun

Chihuly in the Garden

by nmagann

Ventura, California

May 22, 2009

General speaking a garden of cacti would not be something I would make a point of visiting. But the Desert Botanical Garden will prompt a return. One reason is because I did not go during the blooms which I discovered from a roving volunteer occurs ...Read more General speaking a garden of cacti would not be something I would make a point of visiting. But the Desert Botanical Garden will prompt a return. One reason is because I did not go during the blooms which I discovered from a roving volunteer occurs twice a year both during the hot summer months. Naturally this is not when I have ever been near the desert. Hence I never could understand the beauty others talked about with regards to the desert plants. The other reason I would return is the special events, so fitting I might add, displayed. I unfortunately missed the butterfly event, but intend on seeing the hummingbird display. During special showings, online tickets are offered along with entry times. This ensures that a limited number of visitors are there during different hours. The idea is to give visitors plenty of time without allowing mass crowds. Once inside, you can stay as long as you like.

I did have the opportunity to visit the garden during the Chihuly Glass ExhibitIncredible displays of glass that took weeks to put together forming different scenes throughout the walkway through the gardens. Items were carefully placed near surrounding that seemed to be so natural.

Translucent, gleaming green plants that look almost like yucca plants are the first to catch your attention. Look closely and you will notice each "leaf" is a separate piece of glass. Some displays, I was informed include 2400 pieces. When I asked if they were numbered I learned originally they were, but finding the correct ones became so difficult it isn’t done that way anymore. A display may be a little different each time it is erected.

A favorite of mine was the long narrow glass fading from a deep blue to clear sprung up from a rectangular pond of water with small grey stones at the bottom serving as both an anchor and growth source. A variety of glass chandeliers hung from the atrium area where the smaller variety of cacti, including the pebble plants grown. Interspersed within the plants were more displays of glass.

www.desertbotanical.org
1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008 480-941-1225
Disability Accessible
Daily 7-8, parking free, admission $15
Spring evening Jazz concerts
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From journal Phoenix DAY & NIGHT

A must for Plant Enthusiasts

by ak1

Auburn, Washington

April 6, 2009

This was my most anticipated outing on my vacation, not only were we going to see the Desert Botanical Gardens but we were in town the same time as the Chihuly Art Exhibit was going to be on display in the gardens. From the second we pulled into the ...Read more

From journal Our Week in the Desert Sun

Desert Botanical Gardens

by weeblewobble46

Marietta, Georgia

March 31, 2008

Best of IgoUgo The desert is not quite as barren as most people imagine. In fact, go to the botanical gardens in the spring and see an array of blossoms on the otherwise prickly cactus. The softness and transparancy of the flowers are in stark contrast to the ...Read more The desert is not quite as barren as most people imagine. In fact, go to the botanical gardens in the spring and see an array of blossoms on the otherwise prickly cactus. The softness and transparancy of the flowers are in stark contrast to the strong spines and quills of the cacti. Each variety is labeled for easier identification. Who knew (besides those who live around them) that there were so many cacti? Teddy Bear, Pipe Organ, Beaver Tail... names that describe and inspire. These are just a few of the hundreds on view in the gardens.

There is also a Butterfly Exhibit (for a small extra fee) that is housed in a screened enclosure. There are about a dozen different varieties of butterflies in this enclosure, but not all of them are easy to spy. One problem is the sheer number of human bodies - even though the numbers are limited at any one time. People just stood and would not move to allow a traffic flow from one end to another. It took a lot of "excuse me" and "pardon me" phrases to get from one end of the enclosure, around the pond and gardens, to the opposite end and the eventual exit. Photographing these colorful critters is easy since there are so many of them and no where for them to go. If you have been to the butterfly exhibit at Calaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, this one will be a disappointment, but if you have not, then this one is one that you will enjoy.

The gardens also have display areas set up to show the historical lodging and daily lives of the local native population. Wikiups and roasting pits sit near ramadas and cooking tools. It is interesting to see the similarities and variations in shelter designs that were used by the desert peoples.

The main path through the gardens are of brick and very easy to walk. To see the majority of the garden, however, you must leave the brick path and take to the sandy/gravel mix that forms the paths through the desert displays. Wear good walking shoes that will not pick up the stray pebble. Wear a hat with a brim and don't forget the sunblock. The sun can be intense - even in the winter. The air is quite dry, so take water along. There is a snack bar at the rear of the gardens (along with restrooms) if you don't want to tote something from "home" (or forget).

The gardens is next to the zoo and both can be viewed in the same day if you start early.
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From journal Phoenix Flora

Local Secrets, Big Finds 2007 Pick

by Local Secrets

New York, New York

January 16, 2008

Papago Park's red buttes are home to the Desert Botanical Garden's world-class collection of desert plants. The outdoor exhibits arranged around the 50 acres are proof that the "semi-arid desert can be home to some of the most spectacular plant ...Read more

Desert Botanical Garden

by SeenThat

Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel

June 9, 2007

Best of IgoUgo One of the most amazing museum/parks I have even seen, the Desert Botanical Garden is within the Papago Park and not far from Phoenix and near the cities of Scottsdale and Tempe. It hosts what possibly is the world’s finest collection of desert ...Read more

From journal Arizona Dream

Desert Botanical Gardens

by Travelingon

Milford, Massachusetts

August 30, 2006

Best of IgoUgo The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is a beautiful 50-acre desert garden with paved walking trails. It’s very peaceful and educational. Some walkways are in the direct sun and some are in the shade and there are plenty of benches if you’d like to ...Read more

From journal Week in Scottsdale, Arizona

Desert Botanical Gardens

by currywm

Philo, Illinois

March 29, 2006

Visiting the Desert Botanical Garden was the hidden gem in our quick Arizona trip. With an entire day to kill before an evening spring Training Game in Surprise, we were keen on some warm weather outdoor activity, and have always enjoyed botanical ...Read more

From journal A week in Arizona

Desert Botanical Garden

by samepenny

West, Texas

February 27, 2004

Nothing can prepare you for the beauty of this place. Mountains alongside the gardens, wild birds, hundreds of rare and curious specimens of cactus and other plants. I could have spent an entire day there...couldn't take that much time. Easy to ...Read more

From journal Scottsdale Western Get Away

Desert Botanical Gardens

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User Reviews

Cactus with Flowers

Eye Candy for the Garden Fan

Chihuly in the Garden

A must for Plant Enthusiasts

Desert Botanical Gardens

Local Secrets, Big Finds 2007 Pick

Desert Botanical Garden

Desert Botanical Gardens

Desert Botanical Gardens

Desert Botanical Garden

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