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.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum is traveling to your classroom!

Boyce Thompson Arboretum classroom outreach brings outdoor learning to your school through S.T.E.A.M. units offering inquiry-based, engaging lessons that explore the world of plants as well as the phenomena of the Sonoran Desert. Learn how plants grow in our arid environment, the amazing adaptations of wildlife in the desert, and how to start and maintain a pollinator garden at your school.*

Classroom outreach is one piece of the Arboretum's initiative to bring quality education to schools within the Copper Corridor. Thank you to our sponsor, @resolutioncopper, for making outreach possible.

Outreach sessions for the 2026-2027 school year are booking now. Learn more and schedule an outreach session at the link in bio.

*Some outreach programs are limited to schools within the Copper Corridor

#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #outreach #stemeducation

What are you hoping to pick up at Boyce Thompson Arboretum's Spring Plant Sale?

Spring Plant Sale begins March 14th and runs through March 29th, 8 am – 5 pm daily. BTA Members receive 20% off during plant sales and get early access to the sale on March 13! Become a member at the link in bio.

#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #springplantsale #desertplants #springplanting

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