Name of Garden:
Tucson Botanical Gardens
History:
The entity known as "Tucson Botanical Gardens" was originally founded in 1964 by horticulturist and collector, Harrison G. Yocum. The gardens at his home on North Jefferson Street contained an extensive collection of cacti and palms and were open to the public. Memberships became available in 1968, and the group became chartered as a non-profit corporation the next year.
Description:
Backyard Bird Garden
Some of the new plantings in the expansion area include a crested saguaro (already being used by Gila Woodpeckers), southwest coral bean and Mexican bush sage (winners for attracting hummers), ornamental grasses and brittle bush (great for seed eaters), hopbush and several small trees for more bird cover and shelter, prickly pear for the fruit eaters, and more. The entrance to the garden includes an attractive seat wall.
Butterfly Garden
This garden includes a variety of low-water-use plants that attract butterflies in both the larval and adult stages of their life cycles. Signs illustrate many of the butterflies that can be found in southern Arizona gardens.
Cactus and Succulent Garden
This garden showcases cacti and succulents from around the world that do well in our southern Arizona climate. The succulent plants here are divided into four major areas representing the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts of North America, and the semi-arid regions of South America and Africa.
Children's Discovery Garden
The Children's Discovery Garden takes you on a journey through the life of a plant. Larger-than-life-size sculptures of a bee, butterfly, and bat add to the fun.
Herb Garden
This garden showcases the rich variety of herbs that grow in the Tucson area. Plants used for seasoning food, fragrance, and medicinal purposes are in abundance. The Herb Garden is at its peak in April.
Historical Garden
Shady, mature, and inviting, these gardens are the legacy of the Rutger and Bernice Porter family. The gardens include many trees and shrubs commonly planted in Tucson during the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, including olive, pomegranate, monk's pepper, oleander, and huge grapefruit trees grown from seed. These gardens are lovely at any season.
Iris Garden
April is the time for peak bloom in the Dr. Raymond C. Allen Memorial Iris Garden, which includes only low water use varieties. These irises need little or no summer water, and some specimens also bloom in fall.
Native American Crops Garden
This garden features Native American crops from the southwest U.S. Traditional summer gardens include corn, beans, squash, melons, and chiles, while winter gardens yield wheat, peas, onions, garbanzo beans, and other "recent" European introductions.
Nuestro Jardin (Our Garden)
The barrio garden honors the distinctive gardens and yards found in Tucson's Mexican-American community. Surrounded by adobe walls, this is a delightful combination of flowers, fruits and herbs, a shrine, and various decorative items including a planted galvanized washtub and bird bath.
Kay's Shade Garden
Demonstrates regional plants that are appropriate for shady areas.
Wildflower Garden
Includes penstemon, lupine, Mexican gold poppy, desert marigold, owl clover, and many other native plants. Peak bloom occurs March-May. Yuccas and hesperaloes provide striking year-round accents.
Xeriscape Demonstration Garden
Is it possible to garden with style and not use a lot of water? This garden shows you how, by following xeriscape principles such as planning a water-saving design, choosing appropriate plants, and using proper irrigation techniques. Special features include a relaxing mini-oasis patio and three freestanding ramadas of different styles and materials.
Address:
2150 North Alvernon Way
Tucson, Arizona 85712
Phone: (520) 326-9686
Fax: (520) 324-0166
Directions:
Map: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/maps/extDD;_ylt=AlynTkhJAUw.QCxTptNK29pkDLMF/*-http://maps.yahoo.com/dd?taddr=2150+N+Alvernon+Way&tcsz=Tucson%2C+AZ+85712-3153&country=us
Hours:
General admission is $5 and admission for children 6-12 is $2.50. Children 5 and under and Gardens' members are free. Admission to the Butterfly Magic exhibit includes Gardens' admission and is $9.00 for adults (ages 13+), $5.00 for children ages 6-12. The exhibit is free for children 5 and younger. Members pay only $3 and members' children $2 for exhibit admission. Tours, classes, group rates, and picnic area are available.
Open daily except New Year's Day, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Visiting hours are 8:30 A.M.- 4:30 P.M. Get eye-to-eye with a butterfly at Butterfly Magic, the ONLY Live Tropical Butterfly Exhibit in Arizona! This special exhibit returns October 10, 2006 continuing until February 28, 2007. Butterfly Magic will be open daily from 10:00am - 3:00pm. The exhibit will be closed November 23, 2006, December 25, 2006 and January 1, 2007.
Website:
http://www.tucsonbotanical.org/ |
