Our Collections

BTA holds collections of plants from the deserts of the United States, Mexico, Australia, Madagascar, India, China, Japan, Israel, South America, the Middle East, Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Arabian Peninsula.

Among these are three Nationally Accredited Plant Collections*: eucalyptus trees, desert legumes, and southwest oaks. To become nationally accredited by the Plant Collections Network, Boyce Thompson Arboretum has to demonstrate “long-term institutional commitment to collect, document, grow, and maintain living plants of a defined plant collection and conserve its germplasm.”

Eucalyptus Collection

BTA’s Eucalyptus collection was accredited in 2018. At 93 taxa, it is one of the largest collections in the US and features many trees planted in the 1920s, including “Mr. Big,” a Champion Tree. Native to Australia and Tasmania, the genus has over seven hundred species of flowering trees and shrubs. Eucalyptus trees are the preferred habitat and forage for koalas.

Oak Collection

In 2012, BTA gained accreditation of its collection of oak trees (genus Quercus). With an estimated 500 naturally occurring taxa distributed throughout a broad variety of climate zones and habitats, the genus is virtually impossible to represent at any single garden. Today, 20 gardens with large oak collections participate in this multi-site collection. BTA’s collection includes oak trees sourced from Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas in the US, and Sonora, Chihuahua, and Coahuila in Mexico.

Desert Legume Collection

BTA’s Desert Legume (or Fabaceae Collection) is the first primarily seed-based collection accredited (2014) by Plant Collections Network. The collection includes an internationally recognized seed bank of 1,454 taxa and 206 taxa grown in field plantings and the Taylor Family Desert Legume Garden at the Arboretum.

* The American Public Gardens Association Plant Collections Network coordinates a continent-wide approach to plant germplasm preservation, and promotes excellence in plant collections management. Plant Collections Network is a long-term collaboration between the American Public Gardens Association and the USDA–Agricultural Research Service. Gardens and arboreta must maintain collections according to professional standards; provide reasonable access to collections for research, evaluation, and introduction; and demonstrate the likelihood for long term stability and support for collection.

Not all cardinals are red!

This is a juvenile Northern Cardinal, and you can see their adult plumage hasn't quite come in yet. As they get older, their beaks will turn from dark gray to an orange-red. The female's feathers stay brown, with hints of red in the wings, tails, and crests, but the males turn into the vibrant red we all know so well!

The cardinals love exploring the gardens. When you visit us next, keep an eye out for our feathery friends! And don't forget to tag us in any photos you post.

#azbirding #birdlovers #northerncardinal #juvenilebirds #DesertWildlife #arizonabirds

Have you started your fall garden yet? While the weather is still hot, you can start by growing these seeds indoors:

🪴Napa Cabbage
🪴Texas Grano Onion
🪴Kale
🪴Broccoli

Once they've grown big enough, and the weather gets cooler, you can transport them to your outdoor garden.

In need of new plants? Stop by our plant sale happening October 17 - November 1st! Members get 20% off AND early access on October 16. Sign up to become a member today to save time in line! Link in bio.

#gardeninspiration #gardeningtips #fallplantsale #fallgarden #gardenlovers #arizonagarden

BTA holds collections of plants from the deserts of the United States, Mexico, Australia, Madagascar, India, China, Japan, Israel, South America, the Middle East, Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Arabian Peninsula.

Eucalyptus Collection

Oak Collection

Desert Legume Collection

#1Arb