Wallace Desert Garden

Wallace Desert Garden is the historic botanical garden section within the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, Arizona — a collection of mature desert plantings developed over a century of botanical research and exploration. Access is included with Boyce Thompson Arboretum admission, making it part of the larger arboretum visit rather than a separate destination.

For families, the Wallace Garden section provides what botanical collections built over generations uniquely offer: scale and age. The saguaro cacti here have been growing since the early 20th century — some reaching 15-20 feet tall, with the mathematical reality that each grew only about 1 inch per year. Walking kids through the math of a 15-foot cactus that's been growing since before their grandparents were born creates a concrete connection to deep time that even young children can grasp.

The historic stone buildings and infrastructure from the 1920s-era arboretum development add an additional layer of character — this isn't a modern manicured botanical garden, it's a place where you can feel the accumulation of a century of plant science.

In practical terms, visiting Wallace Desert Garden means visiting Boyce Thompson Arboretum, which is covered in the separate arboretum listing. The 60-70 minute drive from Scottsdale is worth planning as a dedicated day trip. October through April is the comfortable season; the spring wildflower and cactus bloom from February through April is the peak experience.

Bring water, sun protection, and binoculars for the excellent bird-watching within the mature garden.