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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Join us this Saturday for an Arbor Day Celebration!
Honor and celebrate the amazing world of trees! Families can enjoy a variety of tree-themed activities, hands-on crafts, and nature fun from 10 am - 12 pm.
Girl Scouts who attend will earn the requirements for the Tree Promise Patch. The patch can be purchased for the council shop.
All activities are free with admission—come grow, learn, and celebrate trees with us!
Get tickets at the link in bio.
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Celebrate Arbor Day with Boyce Thompson Arboretum!
Families can enjoy a variety of tree-themed activities, hands-on crafts, and nature fun on April 25th.
Girl Scouts who attend will earn the requirements for the Tree Promise Patch. The patch can be purchased for the council shop. All activities are free with admission—come grow, learn, and celebrate trees with us.
Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: 10 am - 12 pm
Plan your visit at the link in bio.
#btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #arborday
Happy Earth Day!
At Boyce Thompson Arboretum we work to inspire appreciation and stewardship of desert plants, wildlife, and ecosystems. Spend some time outside today and notice all the desert has to offer.
Plan your visit at the link in bio.
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Riparian area play an extremely important role to the Arizona ecosystem.
This Arbor Day, help us continue to protect the Queen Creek Riparian Area. Donate to our Greatest Needs Fund at the link in bio.
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Join us for the last Yoga in the Garden session of the season.
Relax and restore in this all-levels yoga class held outside in the tranquil setting of the Arboretum. During this class, participants are shown how to mindfully move through gentle postures with breath awareness to promote relaxation, flexibility, and circulatory health.
Member Adult: $15
Non-member Adult: $30
Register at the link in bio.
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Prickly, but beautiful - Cactus flower season is something you don`t want to miss!
Plan your visit at the link in bio.
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If you couldn`t make it to Flavor of Arizona today, there`s still Sunday!
Taste, sip, and shop all things Arizona while exploring stunning desert trails. Amazing local vendors from across the state will be in our Picnic Area from 10 am - 3 pm on Sunday, April 19th.
Flavor of Arizona is Free with Admission. Get tickets at the link in bio.
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The vibrant flowers of the Schotia brachypetala
Going by the names weeping boer-bean, tree fuchsia, African greenheart and African walnut, this desert legume lights up the trails with it`s red blooms. The tree is native to the sub-tropical regions of southern Africa. Similarly to other legumes, its seed pods have historically been used for food.
Explore over 100 species of legumes at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Plan your visit at the link in bio.
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