If you are ever near Phoenix in Arizona and have a free day the Desert Botanical Garden is a place you must visit! It is located next to The Phoenix Zoo and Papago Park in eastern Phoenix.
The Desert Botanical Garden contains any type of plant, cactus, and flower that grows in the desert climate. It is amazing to see how many beautiful plants exist in nature. The colors are deep and stunning, despite the harsh climate that they live in.
It seems like there can only be a few varieties of cactus in the wild. As a native Arizonan, I thought I had seen it all. This garden is full of life that seems strange even in this desert environment. Notice the cactus on the bottom of this photo slightly left from center. Its thorns are so long and thick, almost like small branches sprouting from a tree.
The trees that grow in the desert are also different than what you would expect. These blossoming trees look similar to something that would be seen on the east cost during the fall. This picture was taken just a summer was beginning. During the warm weather these amazing plants flourish and come to life in the dry air.
My favorite stop at the garden is the recently added butterfly exhibit. This is a large tent filled with amazing flowers and beautiful butterflies. This is the most stunning life that can be found in the desert.
It is hard to believe that these colors can be found in the Arizona desert. This desert is not the typical blowing sand landscape that many may think it is. It is full of life and activity throughout the hottest of days.
The experience of a swarm of butterflies floating around you is very calming. They make no noise and fill the room with colorful motion. They will even land on your arms and hands if you remain still enough.
As I was preparing to leave the park I found this stunning butterfly. Its colors were completely different than the others that I had been observing. No matter what you look at in the Arizona desert, there is always something unique to be seen. Just when you thought you had seen every shape and color of butterflies, along comes one that stands out among the rest.
The Desert Botanical Garden is full of plants and life that you might not see elsewhere. It is definitely worth the trip to this amazing exhibit. Make sure you pick a cool, sunny day to go though… it still is the desert.
