Celebrating
85 YEARS 1939 – 2024
Feb. 10-12, 2024
In 1939, a small group of passionate Phoenix residents saw the need to conserve the desert environment. One was Swedish botanist Gustaf Starck, who found like-minded residents by posting a sign that read “Save the Desert.” With the support of community leaders of the time such as Gertrude Divine Webster, the Garden’s presence grew. Eighty five years later, thanks to innovative leadership and investment from generous individuals, Desert Botanical Garden has blossomed from a dream into a living museum.
Thank you for celebrating 85 years of the Garden with us! SATU
FEB. 10 | 9 A.M. – 2 P.M.
AY ONRLDY
Anniversary Cookies | Ottosen Entry Garden Grab a saguaro cookie. While supplies last. Dog Bandanas | Ottosen Entry Garden Pups receive a Garden bandana. 8-11 a.m. while supplies last.
Mirror Me Photobooth | Steele Herb Garden Performances Steele Herb Garden Hans Olson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Ullman Terrace J Forte Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Beverage Service | Ottosen Entry Garden 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Signature drink featuring Gertrude’s Founders Gin. To purchase a bottle to take home, stop by the SRP Visitor Center. Beer, wine, soda and water available for purchase. Debit or credit card payment only.
FEB 10–12 TOURS Docent Tours | Cohn Gathering Area 10 a.m., 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. * Walk through the Garden with a docent and learn how plants have adapted to not just survive but thrive in the desert. Behind-the-scenes Tours | Ottosen Entry Garden 10 a.m., 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.* Learn about the state-of-the-art horticultural practices used by the Garden that allow it to be a reservoir of cactus species. Please sign up in advance at the tours table located by the north admissions booth. Meet 10 minutes prior to tour.
Herbarium Tours | Ottosen Entry Garden 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. * Visit the Garden’s herbarium – a rich collection of dried pressed plant specimens that span both place and time. Please sign up in advance at the tours table located by the north admissions booth. Meet 10 minutes prior to tour.
*Limited space available. First come, first served.
FEB 10–12
EXPLORE THE KITCHELL FAMILY HERITAGE GARDEN Explore historic plants in the Heritage Garden, some of these magnificent specimens have grown with us since 1939 and are still thriving today.
DISCOVERY STATIONS Learn about the plants and animals that make the ecology of the Sonoran Desert so special, and inspired citizens to create the Garden 85 years ago! Garden-wide.
CREATE A MINI TAKE-HOME GARDEN Unleash your creativity and design your own botanical garden. Explore the history and milestones of Desert Botanical Garden through time and use the Garden’s trails and exhibits as inspiration to make your own! Feb. 10-11 Cactus Clubhouse | Feb. 12 Binns Wildflower Pavilion Please note, dogs are not permitted in Cactus Clubhouse, the Fernando Botero: El Maestro gallery exhibit or on tours. Thank you for your understanding.
KITCHELL FAMILY HERITAGE GARDEN SCAVENGER HUNT Let’s jump back to 1939, can you find these iconic plants and places around the Garden?
1
When these cactus were planted in 1939, they were only 4 feet tall, now they tower over the Garden at more than 29 feet tall by Webster Auditorium.
2
It is said that cowboys used the spines of this large cactus to pick their teeth. Would you?
3
The first of 50,000 planted in the Garden, this cactus twist and turns along the ground as it grows. In the past 85 years it has crawled over 50 feet from where it was originally planted. Look down, it grows along the brick path.
4
This cactus grows long fluffy white hairs, but don’t be fooled, there are sharp spines hiding in this senior citizen’s hair.
5
Can you find where in the Garden this historic picture was taken?
Answers: 1. Cardons 2. Toothpick Cactus 3. Creeping Devil 4. Old Man Cactus 5. North side of Webster, by stairs
MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS Enjoy a special rate of $85 on select Garden membership on Feb. 10–12. Treat yourself or a friend or family member to a membership to access the Garden all year long.
Programming subject to change. Event is rain or shine. This event is photographed and recorded for promotional purposes.
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