When visiting the Greater Phoenix Area, one of the destinations that simply must be on your top 10 list is the Desert Botanical Garden, in Phoenix, Arizona.

The desert Southwest contains many fascinating plants that are found nowhere else in the world, with the Saguaro perhaps being the most famous of all.

The Desert Botanical Garden was founded in 1939, and is the only botanical garden in the world that is solely focused on desert plants.

The Desert Botanical Garden sits on 145 acres and has more than 50,000 plants on display. The Living Collection contains over 21,000 accessioned plants representing 3,931 taxa in 139 plant families. The collection is especially strong in Cactaceae (Cactus), Agavaceae (Agaves), Aloaceae (Aloes) and the flora of the Sonoran Desert.

Note:  make sure to watch the video in 720p HD after you click on the play button.

The Desert Botanical Garden has five thematic trails that illustrate a variety of topics. The Garden’s Desert Discovery Trail showcases desert plants from around the world. The Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Trail explores how desert plants are used for nourishment and tools. The Sonoran Desert Nature Trail illustrates the relationship between desert plants and animals. The Center for Desert Living Trail covers topics such as water and energy conservation. The Harriet K. Maxwell Desert Wildflower Trail showcases desert wildflowers.

Further showcasing the community’s love of this “Phoenix Point of Pride” was a $17.8 million face-lift in 2008, which transformed this desert jewel into a destination in which local residents, and guests alike, have rewarded the Desert Botanical Garden with very strong attendance numbers.

We highly recommend a visit to the Desert Botanical Garden.  You will simply be amazed with the unusual desert plants, and are certain to come home with many stories to share with family and friends.

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