available in the summer.
Where: 37615 E. Arboretum Way, Superior, AZ Hours: October through April: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; May: Open daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. June through August: Open 6 a.m. to noon Wednesday through Monday, closed on Tuesdays; September: Open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Monday, closed on Tuesdays Admission: Adults and youth (ages 13-17) $16; Child (ages 5-12) $10; Members and children under 5, $0. Details: 520-689-2723 btarboretum.org Think the desert is all dirt and tumbleweed? Think again. Desert Botanical Garden (DGB) is home to thousands of species of cacti, trees, and flowers from all around the world.
Another favorite of ours is the Demonstration Garden, which features a number of beautifully landscaped and water efficient small gardens. Built to illustrate how nature and drought tolerant plants can create lovely gardens in residential and commercial settings. There are lots of shady sitting areas scattered throughout. The many hummingbird feeders are filled and maintained by volunteers, so no matter where you are in the BTA, you’re likely to share the space with beautiful hungry hummers. Other gardens include the Australian Deserts Exhibit, Cactus and Succulents Garden, Chihuahuan Desert Exhibit, Children’s Garden, Heritage Rose Garden, Sonoran Desert Exhibit and Curandero Trail, South American Deserts Exhibit, Taylor Family Desert Legume Garden, Wallace Rose Garden, and Wing Memorial Herb Garden. As birders, Michael and I enjoy BTA’s Important Bird Area status. Boyce Thompson Arboretum and the adjacent Arnett and Queen Creeks are known for spectacular birding opportunities. Some 275 different species have been sighted. Guided bird walks take place between October and May. The Arboretum offers a wide range of guided tours and walks year-round, from plants and wildlife to history and ecology. The walks include Arboretum Discovery Tour, Bird Walk, Butterfly Walk, Edible and Medicinal Plants Tour and Geology Walk. What makes a visit to the gardens even more jaw dropping is its gorgeous setting among and below rugged mountains that include Apache Leap and Picketpost Mountain. Simply look up and you’ll take in the views, but for a closer look, hike Picketpost Mountain Trail. The mountain is known for an oddly placed mailbox at the top of the mountain, which contains the logbooks for the trail. The trail is 3.9 miles with an elevation gain of 2,129 feet and is considered strenuous. The mountain’s name stems from an early military camp established at the base of the mountain by Gen. George Stoneman in 1870. The soldiers nicknamed the mountain “Picket Post” due to its use as a sentinel position to guard their camp from attacks. This military camp eventually grew into the town of Superior.
The Garden is a 140-acre botanical garden founded by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society in 1937
Cactus Wren, credit L. M. Whited
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