Tucson Botanical Gardens

Tucson, Arizona, United States

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The Tucson Botanical Gardens in Tucson, Arizona, began in 1964 when horticulturist Harrison Yocum sought others interested in founding a botanical garden, starting with his own collection of cacti and palms.

The group formed a nonprofit and grew to over 100 members, initially using greenhouse space at Randolph Park. In 1974, they moved to their current home on the Porter family’s former Desert Gardens Nursery property, which Bernice Porter donated to the City of Tucson to preserve the gardens and her home from demolition.

The gardens preserve the Porter family legacy and feature original plants from the estate, including citrus, roses, and native desert species, arranged in an oasis-style garden typical of Tucson's large gardens from the 1920s to 1960s.

Over the years, the botanical garden expanded with additions like an outdoor amphitheater, compost demonstration area, Butterfly and Pollinator Garden, a new education building, and the Butterfly Magic exhibit, offering a blend of education, conservation, and community engagement in a peaceful, beautifully landscaped urban oasis.