Gardens in Arizona – Summer is a Great time to visit!

Gardens in Arizona

Visiting a garden in June or July in Phoenix, Arizona may not seem like a great idea. In fact, it may seem downright crazy, with daytime temperatures hovering around 115-120. But there is a good reason why you want to visit an area garden, and that is – to see what kind of plants do well in the Phoenix area heat. This will give you some great ideas of what plants to use in your own landscaping.

Many of these gardens are open early. With summertime temperatures peaking between 3 pm – 6 pm, the best time to visit is first thing in the morning. You will still want to take plenty of water, and wear sunscreen and a broad-brimmed hat to protect your skin from UV rays.

CAREFREE:

Carefree Desert Gardens; 101 Easy St; Carefree; Open year-round; dog-friendly; FREE Admission; 1 fireplaces, couches; 4 acre garden; 

FLAGSTAFF:

The Arboretum at Flagstaff; 4001 S. Woody Mtn Rd; Flagstaff; open 9-5 daily except Tuesday (closed that day); open April 15 – Oct 31; Admission $10 adults, $7 seniors, $3 dogs; 

GLENDALE:

Glendale Xeriscape Garden; 5959 W Brown St; Glendale; open 24/7/365; roughly 400 plants scattered around Glendale Public Library; FREE. 

MESA:

The Rose Garden at Mesa Community College; 1833 W. Southern Ave; Mesa: 6 am – 8 pm Monday – Sunday; FREE admission.

Mesa Urban Garden; 212 East 1^st Avenue; Mesa; 5 am – 10 pm Monday – Sunday; FREE Admission.

PHOENIX:

Desert Botanical Gardens; 1201 N. Galvin Parkway; Phoenix; 7 am – 8 pm Monday – Sunday; Admission $24.95; FREE second Tuesday of every month. 

Japanese Friendship Garden; 1125 North 3^rd Ave; Phoenix; Oct 1 – May 31, 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday – Sunday; June, 7 am – 11 am/5pm – 8 pm Friday – Sunday; Closed July – Sept; Admission $5/$4 seniors.  

SUPERIOR:

Boyce Thompson Arboretum; 37615 U.S. Hwy 60; Superior; 6 am – 3 pm Monday – Sunday; Admission $12.50; * Pets allowed.

TEMPE:

Escalante Community Garden; 2150 E. Orange St; Tempe; 7 am – 1:30 pm Tuesday – Sunday.

TUCSON:

Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum; 2021 N. Kinney Rd; Tucson; 7:30 am – 5 pm Sunday – Friday; Saturday 7:30 am – 10pm; zoo, aquarium, garden and museum; Admission $20.50; wheelchair and electric scooter rentals.

Reid Park Rose Garden; E. 22^nd St and Country Club Rd; Tucson; 6:30 am – 4 pm daily; Free admission.

Tohono Chul; 7366 Paseo del Norte; Tucson; 8 am – 5 pm Monday – Sunday; Admission $10.

Tucson Botanical Gardens; 2150 N. Alvernon Way; Tucson; 7:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Sunday; Admission $9 June – Sept, $13 Oct – May; Seniors $8 June – Sept, $12 Oct – May.

Have you visited a Phoenix area garden this summer? Share your pictures and experience in the comments or Contact Us . Guest submissions are always welcome!