The Desert Botanical Garden is a 140 acre (20 ha) botanical garden located within Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Founded by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society in 1937[1] and established at this site in 1939, the garden now has more than 21,000 plants, in more than 4000 taxa, one-third of which are native to the area, including 139 species which are rare, threatened or endangered. Of special note are the rich collections of agave (176 taxa) and cacti (10,350 plants in 1,350 taxa), especially the Opuntia sub-family.
Plants from less extreme climate conditions are protected under shade houses. There is an Australian collection, a Baja California collection and a South American collection, all of plants adapted to desert conditions. Several ecosystems are represented: a mesquite bosque, semi desert grassland, and upland chaparral scrub. The Desert House, set up in the early 1990s, demonstrated innovative energy-efficient systems: an evaporative cooler, a rainwater-capture system and gray water irrigation.
The Desert Botanical Garden has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. Plan Your Visit.
