Desert Botanical Garden

Amethyst discovered there was a Desert Botanical Garden not far from us.Our timing was perfect since so many of the plants were in bloom.

Labyrinth

The garden had an incredible mile-length (in to center and out again) labyrinth lined with 10×10 inch textile work from makers from 45 U.S. states and 9 countries. It was conceived and designed by artist Ann Morton as part of the Toward 2050 project:

“TOWARD 2050, a public engagement artwork, has culminated in an immersive labyrinth installation at Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona – showing February 8th through June 1st of 2025. The Garden’s ongoing commitment to advance excellence in education, research, exhibition and conservation, makes it the optimal location to orchestrate this artistic, social action that focuses on the urgency of how we must take part in caring for our planet’s health.

As visitors experience this labyrinth, they will step year-by-year, ever closer to 2050, humanity’s target to achieve net zero in CO2 emissions.”

See some photos below and click fullscreen to watch the 47 second video at the left.

Orchid Festival

Desert Botanical Garden’s new The RAF Exhibit Gallery was filled with 3,000 colorful orchids, representing more than 18 different species. What a spectacular feast for the eyes.

Butterfly Pavillion

In 2017, the Garden reopened this 3,200 square foot open-air structure, featuring lush garden plantings, a water feature, thousands of live butterflies, engaging programming and state-of-the-art nursery space.

Japanese Garden

Phoenix also has a small and very beautiful Japanese Garden.

“The Japanese Friendship Garden, named Rohoen (鷺鳳園), is a joint project of the City of Phoenix and our Sister City Himeji, Japan. Himeji Mayor, Matsuji Totani proposed the garden in 1987 to cement the bonds of friendship between Japan and the United States and particularly between the peoples of Himeji and Phoenix.”

The Himeji Gardening and Construction Contractors Association was formed for the specific purpose of designing and constructing the garden. In the ensuing years, the group has made dozens of visits to select the site, investigate soil and climactic conditions, determine suitable plantings, select rock, and oversee construction details.

The teahouse and surrounding tea garden were completed in November 1996, the 20th anniversary of our Sister City relationship. The project features a stroll garden, tea garden, and a dry garden. All the decorative features that you see in the garden and the thousands of hours required to design and guide its construction are gifts from the City of Himeji and its citizens.”

Street Murals

Phoenix is home to some amazing street murals. Many have a political/social theme addressing issues of the indigenous communities of Arizona.