Boyce Thompson Arboretum’s newest garden, the Wallace Desert Garden, offers expansive views, creekside trails, and hundreds of plants brand-new to BTA!
At 13 acres and with more than 5,000 new plantings, the addition of the Wallace collection moves Boyce Thompson Arboretum into the top tier of botanical gardens around the world. The main trail is wheelchair accessible.
The Story
In 2014, the Arboretum was approached with a unique offer. Would BTA accept a donation of an entire garden’s worth of plants collected by Henry B. Wallace—the Wallace Desert Gardens collection? H.B. had filled his garden with an international palette of arid land plants—a stunning array of thousands of mature trees, shrubs, cacti and succulents. He had passed away in 2005 and his foundation was no longer able to maintain the valuable collection in Scottsdale, but they wanted to keep the collection together. At BTA the plants would get the same amount of rain as at the Scottsdale location and would have the same dew point and elevation.
Not only did BTA need to design a new garden, it had to transplant 5,870 plants. Beginning in December 2015, most of H.B.’s collection was moved 75 miles from north Scottsdale to BTA—by truck, car and semi. Logan Simpson Architects, Native Resources International, the Wallace Desert Gardens Board and staff, and Boyce Thompson Arboretum all collaborated to bring the mammoth endeavor to completion. The team developed and designed a 13-acre garden with 1.5 miles of new trails, and a bridge over Queen Creek.
Experience the Garden
Perfectly situated next to Queen Creek, the Wallace Desert Garden expertly exhibits H.B. Wallace’s collection by region. From the Yucca Forest to the Baja Loop, you’ll see plants arrayed in a natural setting along winding trails. Of the 1,223 taxa (species, cultivars, hybrids, varieties) in the garden, 861 are new to Boyce Thompson Arboretum, and 62 species are considered to be rare or endangered.
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Did you know the difference between palms and cycads?
Cycads date back to about 280 million years ago (that`s before dinosaurs!). Unlike palms, which attract pollinators with flowers, cycads are gymnosperms that produce seeds in woody cones. Cycads are more closely related to conifers than their look-a-like palms.
Check out these cycads during your next trip to Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #superioraz #cycads #desertplants
More fruit tree blooms 🍎
The Anna Apple (Malus domestica `Anna`) is lighting up our canyon with beautiful pink blooms. Plan your trip to see these gorgeous apple blossoms before they`re gone.
Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #superioraz #appletree #appleblossom
Take a moment to celebrate happiness with Postcards of Joy, a creative block printing workshop.
Traveling artist @shannonrosemoriarty is teaching one last class before she leaves Arizona. With over a decade of experience in arts education and classes hosted across the country, she invites you to slow down, explore, and rediscover joy through making.
You will be guided through creating your own block print that captures the moments that bring you the most joy, whether they’re big or small. This workshop is open to artists of all skill levels and is designed to nurture creativity and self-expression. Whether you`re new to printmaking or an experienced artist, you`ll be guided through the process in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Date: Saturday, February 28
Time: 2 pm - 5 pm
Location: @btarboretum
Tickets: Non-members $85, Members $68
Class participants must be 18+ years of age. Register at the link in bio.
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #superioraz #blockprinting #artclasses
`Aloe` Everybody!
Boyce Thompson Arboretum is open on Presidents` Day, 8 am - 5 pm (last admission at 4 pm). Have an outdoor adventure before the weekend is over.
Plan your visit at the 🔗 in bio.
Photo by: Kelley Wolfe
#aloe #aloebloom #btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #superiorarizona
Happy Birthday Arizona!
Today is a perfect day to get outside and explore the wonders of Arizona. Check out these trails and gardens that highlight the beauty of our local deserts during next trip to Boyce Thompson Arboretum:
- Sonoran Desert Exhibit
- Chihuahuan Desert Exhibit
- Mojave Desert Exhibit
- The Upland Region
- Southwestern Trail
Join us in wishing Arizona a Happy Birthday! Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#boycethompsonarboretum #superioraz #happybirthdayarizona #SonoranDesert #desertplants
Spring is beginning to bloom in the Taylor Family Desert Legume Garden 🌻
Pictured: Knife Acacia (Acacia cultriformis)
Come see what`s blooming at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#boycethompsonarboretum #btarboretum #superioraz #springblooms #DesertBloom
A broad-billed hummingbird taking a pit stop at Boyce Thompson Arboretum
Discover over 200 species of Arizona`s birds. Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#boycethompsonarboretum #superioraz #broadbilledhummingbird #hummingbird
Nothing beats views like this
Stop by the Perennial Garden during your next trip to Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #superioraz