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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This blooming cactus may look like a saguaro, but it`s actually a cardón!
You may be wondering... if they look so similar, how can you tell the difference? Here`s some things to keep in mind:
🌵Cardóns are MUCH larger than saguaros. They have thicker trunks and can grow taller than 60 ft!
🌵They typically have more branches that form closer to the ground.
🌵They`re mostly found in Mexico whereas saguaros are primarily in Arizona.
Even though their blooms are short lived, the cardón remains a beautiful presence year round.
#Cardón #cactusbloom #cactusflower #cactilovers #plantfacts #btarboretum
🍁🍂 Dreaming of fall colors?
It`s almost that time of year when the Arboretum transforms into a beautiful autumnal display! Typically, fall colors start appearing here around mid-November or early December. It largely depends on weather patterns and temperatures. When it finally happens, pomegranates, canyon hackberries, willows, pecans, and our famous grove of scarlet-orange Chinese pistache will (most likely) be at their peak color, as will the cottonwoods in Queen Creek Canyon. It`s a sight you don`t want to miss!
Follow our stories closely for updates! We`ll make sure you know when the first fall colors start to appear.
#fallcolors #fallnature #fallleaves #btarboretum #naturelovers #getoutdoors
When`s the last time you paused to watch a butterfly? 🦋 In a world that moves so fast, there`s something so calming and magical about noticing the small, beautiful things in your path.
Capture this feeling by joining one of our Butterfly Walks! You`ll learn about commonly found species and their host plants with a butterfly expert from Central Arizona Butterfly Association.
📅 October 24 and November 14
🕤9:30 - 10:30 am
🎟️Free with admission
#ButterflyWalk #butterflylovers #arizonabutterflies #pollinatorgarden #insectlovers #thingstodoaz
The outdoors make the best kind of classroom. Join one of our Family Workshops to learn fun facts about nature and participate in a themed craft!
🦇Bats of Arizona: Oct 24 | Craft: Pinecone bat
📝Nature Journaling: Nov 7 | Craft: Nature journal
🍁Fall Color Fun: Nov 14 | Craft: Leaf collage
🌲All About Trees: Dec 12 | Craft: Wood cookie ornament
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 am
Non-Member child (5-17): $10
Member child: $8
Up to 2 adults free with child
#btarboretum #familyworkshops #outdooreducation #natureeducation #NatureFacts #aznature #plantfacts #VisitSuperior #ThingsToDoAZ
🚨Plant Sale starts TOMORROW 🚨
Take a piece of the Arboretum home with you! With over 600 unique plants, you`re bound to find something new and exciting for your garden.
Is there a specific plant you`re hoping will be on sale? Check out our full plant list by clicking the link in our bio.
Fall Plant Sale:
📅October 17 - November 1
⭐October 16: Member`s Preview
🕗8:00 am - 5:00 pm
#plantsale #fallplantsale #btarboretum #cactigarden #azgardening #desertgarden #plantlovers
🍄Did you know that fungi are more closely related to people than plants? They may look like plants, but the way they grow, get nutrients, and evolve is completely different.
Fungi DO interact with plants. They grow by absorbing nutrients from organic material, which is why you often find them on dying trees, logs, or on ground level.
These little guys can be found on the fence surrounding Drover`s Woolshed. Next time you visit, keep an eye out for them and any other mushrooms in your path. Sometimes they pop up in places where you`d least expect!
#MushroomLovers #fungi #fungilovers #mushroomfacts #btarboretum
The Fall Plant Sale is almost here! Take a look at some plants our staff have been eyeing 🪴👀
What plants are you planning on picking up? Let us know in the comments!
Fall Plant Sale
📅October 17 - November 1
🕗8:00 am - 5:00 pm
⭐Member`s Preview: October 16
#plantlovers #plantfacts #naturelovers #btarboretum #plantsale #fallplantsale #azgardening
These beautiful photos were taken by Tim Lee, one of our loyal members! We love seeing our visitors` photography. (Especially when they include cute birds! 🐦)
Want to see some of these birds for yourself? Join us for a Bird Walk! You`ll be surrounded by other avian enthusiasts helping spot and identify our little flying friends.
📅Every Wednesday | October 2026 - April 2027
🕗 8:15 - 9:30 am
🎟️Free with admission
#BirdingCommunity #birding #azbirding #birdinghotspot #southwestbirding #birdingphotography #aznature