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.
#1Arb
Tag us on Instagram with
@btarboretum #1Arb
Cool mornings at the Arboretum are the ideal time to explore. Enjoy comfortable temperatures, soft desert light, and peaceful trails as the day begins. A perfect way to start your morning.
Plan your visit — link in bio.
#BoyceThompsonArboretum #CoolMorningWalks #DesertMornings #ArizonaOutdoors #NatureExperience
Celebrate Memorial Weekend surrounded by the beauty of the Arboretum. Stroll the trails, enjoy the seasonal blooms, and take in the peaceful desert landscape.
Hours:
Saturday–Sunday | 6 AM–5 PM
#BoyceThompsonArboretum #MemorialWeekend #ArizonaOutdoors #DesertTrails #NatureVisit
Sunrise Hikes offer a peaceful early‑morning experience as the Arboretum comes to life with cooler air, soft light, and active wildlife. A perfect way to start your morning and enjoy the desert at its calmest.
Gates open at 6:00 AM for sunrise access.
Link in bio to plan your next visit.
#BoyceThompsonArboretum #SunriseHike #ArizonaOutdoors #DesertMornings #NatureExperience #StartYourDayRight
The Karoo Boerbean is a resilient desert tree known for its vivid red blooms and ability to thrive in hot, dry climates. Native to southern Africa, it supports local wildlife with nectar-rich flowers and demonstrates key drought‑tolerant adaptations that make it valuable for arid‑region landscapes.
Plan your visit- link in bio
#boycethompsonarboretum #Karooboerbean #btarboretum #PlantEducation #AridEcosystems
The desert is in bloom! Experience the stunning beauty of Saguaro Bloom, Arizona’s iconic state flower. These short-lived blooms crown the towering saguaros each morning, offering a breathtaking glimpse of desert life at its most vibrant.
Come early to catch them before the heat of the day, and don’t forget your camera!
Plan your visit at : https://btarboretum.org/
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #saguaroblooms #desertbeauty #arizonanature
Members enjoy more this May.
Take 20% off all plants throughout the month as part of our Member Appreciation celebration. It’s the perfect time to expand your garden with desert-adapted favorites and unique finds from our collection.
#BoyceThompsonArboretum #MemberAppreciation #PlantSale #DesertGardening #ArizonaPlants #CactusAndSucculents
Join us for Critter Crawl, an evening exploration of the Arboretum’s nocturnal wildlife. Experience the desert after dark as expert guides introduce you to the animals that become active once the sun sets.
June 12th, 7:30 PM–9:00 PM
$12–$18 | Preregistration required
Children 4 and under and pets are not permitted.
Learn more and reserve your spot: https://btarboretum.org/event/critter-crawl-night-tour/
#BoyceThompsonArboretum #CritterCrawl #NightTour #DesertWildlife #ArizonaNature #NocturnalAnimals #NatureEducation
The Cactus & Succulents Garden at Boyce Thompson Arboretum offers a striking look at the diversity of Opuntia species. Their sculptural pads, seasonal blooms, and ecological value highlight the remarkable adaptations that allow these cacti to thrive in arid environments. Explore the garden to see how Opuntia supports desert wildlife and adds structure to the landscape.
Plan your visit—link in bio.
#BoyceThompsonArboretum #CactusAndSucculentsGarden #Opuntia #DesertCacti #ArizonaBotany #SonoranDesertPlants #PlantCollections