The mission of Boyce Thompson Arboretum is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems through education, research, and conservation.”
Every visit supports research, environmental education, and directly benefits the mission and success of Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
Explore the arboretum with our Docents on a golf cart tour! We invite you to join us for an hour long cart ride to some of our most scenic spots of the arboretum. Our knowledgeable…
Learn about commonly found butterfly species and their host plants with a butterfly expert from Central Arizona Butterfly Association. Walks are subject to availability. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a tour…
The Sonoran Desert is the most diverse desert in the world. It’s home to a lot of different kinds of animals. Families will learn all about the animals who call the Sonoran Desert home and how to identify them by looking at skulls, scats and tracks. Families will…
Boyce Thompson Arboretum has been named an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, serving as a habitat for numerous species of birds. Join our beginner-friendly guided walk to explore this unique landscape with…
Explore the arboretum with our Docents on a golf cart tour! We invite you to join us for an hour long cart ride to some of our most scenic spots of the arboretum. Our knowledgeable…
With Halloween fast approaching, it`s the perfect time to appreciate the spookier plants in nature! 🎃
One such plant is the stapelia, also known as a carrion flower. To attract pollinators like flies, it releases a scent similar to that of a rotting carcass, making it a flower you definitely want to avoid smelling!
What are some of your favorite spooky plants? Let us know in the comments!
These are Arizona poppies, also known as Kallstroemia grandiflora! They can be found all across the Sonoran Desert and have some amazing adaptations that help them grow in our dry climate.
Once planted, these seeds will only start germinating when the conditions are just right. Their dormancy can sometimes last two years! If it`s too hot or too dry, they`ll wait for better weather.
So if you`ve planted Arizona poppies in your garden, and they haven`t been growing, it`s not too late! Give them some extra care and time and you just might see them bloom when you least expect it.
🪴Prepare for our Fall Plant Sale by previewing our lineup of succulents, cacti, perennials, shrubs, and more! View the complete list by clicking the link in our bio.
All plants are in limited supply and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so if there`s a plant you`re eyeing, come get it before it`s gone!
Fall Plant Sale: 📅October 17 - November 1 ⭐October 16: Member`s Preview 🕗8:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Sonoran Desert is home to at least nine species of leopard frogs. Who knew something that depends so much on water could survive in a place like Arizona?
These frogs can be spotted in the Demonstration Garden pond and the Desert Legume Garden pond. They can be shy and will hide when you first approach, but if you give them time you`ll be rewarded with some cute froggy faces.
What better way to celebrate than showing some appreciation for our tarantula friends? Tarantulas are the biggest spiders in North America and are expert hunters. The hairs on their body help them sense movement, guiding them to their prey. They are known to eat beetles, grasshoppers, and sometimes even mice!
These unique spiders are timid and fragile, so always keep a safe distance when observing in the wild.
Join us every Wednesday from now through April 2027 for a guided bird walk! As an Important Bird Area, Boyce Thompson Arboretum is the perfect place for new and advanced birders alike.
📆 Every Wednesday 🕣 8:15 - 9:30 am 🎟️Free with Admission
No binoculars? No problem! Loaner binoculars are available at our admissions window.
Walk size is 15 people. Registration is first come, first serve. To register for a walk, sign up at the Gift Shop. Reservations are not accepted.
**Due to the holiday, there will not be a Bird Walk on December 23**
Is your garden ready for fall? Here`s some garden chores you can getting started on:
🌱Plant trees, shrubs & perennials. 🌱Start your vegetable garden. 🌱Clean up after monsoon season.
In need of more plants? Mark your calendars for our Fall Plant Sale! Starting October 17th (with a member`s preview on the 16th), you can shop for plants from around the world perfectly adapted to our climate.
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