During any time of the year, Tucson’s nature and landscapes are precious sights to see; but if you want to see the best desert blooms, flora, and fauna, visiting the Tucson Botanical Gardens in mid-February to mid-June is an absolute MUST. Named BEST Secret Garden in America by Reader’s Digest the Tucson Botanical Gardens will throw your senses into an adventure. Examine 5.5 acres of wild foliage and desert tundra and get in touch with what nature has to offer.
The Tucson Botanical Gardens has 17 different gardens throughout their entire exhibit. Also famous for being home to over 400 butterflies from 11 different countries. They offer classes, tours, featured events, a cafe, the ability to host events, memberships, and more. For the Tucson traveler and sightseers, these gardens will take you further into the desert oasis.
The Garden Exhibits:
- Aloe Alley
- Backyard Bird Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Cactus & Succulent Garden
- Children’s Discovery Garden
- Thornville Garden Railway
- Butterfly Greenhouse
- Herb Garden
- Shade Garden
- Historical Gardens
- Iris Garden
- Nuestro Jardin
- Wildflower Garden
- Zen Garden
- Xeriscape Garden
- Native American Crops Garden
- Plants of the Tohono O’odham Path
Just like the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tanque Verde Ranch embraces this season of the desert as well. For years they have offered a ‘Desert in Bloom’ package designed for guests to get the full experience. This package is an all-inclusive package that offers everyday horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking activities and features a specialty activities schedule that offers in-depth Desert in Bloom excursions. On this enhanced schedule, you will find an assortment of educational nature walks and hikes and new this year, their very own shuttle to the Tucson Botanical Gardens. See all the Desert in Bloom activities here. It is the perfect opportunity for those who want to take in the vast beauty of the blooming desert. Desert in Bloom 2019 at Tanque Verde Ranch is April 21st – May 25th. Be sure to book now to guarantee your spot.
Here is a list for items you should bring when hiking the desert or visiting the Tucson Botanical Gardens:
- Bottle(s) of water
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Tennis Shoes
- Longer Pants
- Camera – Be sure to bring your camera to capture the blooms and foliage. It will make spectacular snapshots!
- Charged Cell Phone for photos and in the case of an emergency
Optional:
- Walking Stick
Here are some plants and foliage you can expect to see blooming this time of year at the Tanque Verde Ranch and the Tucson Botanical Gardens:
- Annuals
- Barrel Cacti
- Beavertail Cacti
- Blue Phacelia/Wild Heliotrope/Scorpionweed
- California Poppy
- Century Plant
- Cholla Cacti
- Blue Phacelia/Wild Heliotrope/Scorpionweed
- Datil Yucca
- Desert Christmas Cactus
- Desert Lily
- Desert Sand Verbena/Abronia Villosa
- Fishhook Cacti/Mammillaria Microcarpa
- Hedgehog/Claret Cup Mojave Mound Cactus/Kingcup Cactus
- Joshua Trees
- Night-Blooming Cereus
- Organ Pipe Cacti
- Prickly Pear Cacti
- Saguaro Cacti
- Senita Cacti
- Yuccas
Be sure to check out all the classes Tucson Botanical Gardens hosts throughout the week. They do
Tucson Botanical Gardens has The Gardens Gift Shop. When you want to take a break or stop by the end of your tour, you can check out this cute little gift shop. It has a unique assortment of garden items, clothes and accessories, kitchen goodies, books, and fun and educational toys.
There is also a Cafe at the Tucson Botanical Garden, Cafe Botanica. All of the food items from this cafe are home-made from scratch and carry traditions of New Mexico and the Sonoran Desert. Yum!
Whether you walk through one garden or adventure through all, find yourself at ease among the best of desert nature. Birds, cacti, butterflies, and blooms will keep you entranced beyond belief.