Month: February 2026
From Vacant Lot to Vibrant Harvest: Juana Silva’s Story and the Power of a Growing Community
In summer 2015, the land that is now Spaces of Opportunity looked nothing like the thriving urban farm it is today. The field in south Phoenix was empty, scattered with trash and full of possibility. That same summer, Maria Valenzuela (current Spaces Executive...
The Night-Blooming Beauty: Peniocereus marianus
Some plants don’t just grow, they wait. And when they bloom, they do so quietly at night. The botanical name Peniocereus marianus was formally described in 1962 by Mexican botanist Hernando Sanchez Mejorada. However, the species had previously been classified as...
Five Date Ideas at Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden offers a variety of romantic ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend. From stargazing under desert skies to strolling through a one-of-a-kind light experience, you’ll find plenty of unforgettable moments to share. Along the trails, discover...
New open-access book authored by Garden researcher
New open-access book authored by Garden researcher Senior Research Scientist Dr. Joe McAuliffe is the principal author of a new, web-based, open access book on arid and semi-arid environments of western South Africa, including the Succulent Karoo. The book focuses on...
Make a Moon Journal
Keeping a nature journal is one of the best ways to develop a long-lasting and deep connection to the natural world. What is a nature journal, you may ask? It’s exactly what it sounds like, a journal documenting your observations and interactions with nature! Nature...
Heart-shaped Cactus at Desert Botanical Garden
Love is in the air, and perfectly shaped on the cactus at Desert Botanical Garden. Along the trails, you will find several pads of prickly pear cactus species in the shape of hearts. This is often due to animals nibbling at pads that create little hearts, or cold...
Queen of the Night Cocktail
Enjoy a Queen of the Night cocktail, a Vodka martini with lychee syrup and fresh lime and yellow chartreuse. This cocktail is inspired by night-blooming cactus, and served with glowing ice cubes emulate the moonlight filtering through the Garden. Get yours today at...
Lab Members Recently Featured on Popular Podcast
Lab members Ali Schuessler and Brad Posch were recently featured on the popular podcast: In Defense of Plants. You can listen to Ali’s feature titled “Soil Microbes and Desert Plant Restoration” here. And you can listen to Brad’s feature here. You can...
