Spring is coming to an end, and it’s the last chance for guests to explore a variety of seasonal blooms at the Garden. It’s also the perfect transitional period to catch some early summer bloomers along the trails.
One of the best photo spots is along the Harriet K. Maxwell Wildflower Trail. The plant bed to the left is bursting with seasonal color, including a yucca species that creates an astonishing mosaic of desert blooms.
Bring your camera and attend a series of events during the Garden’s Final Bow of Spring, including Desert Studio on Friday evening, Dog Days at the Garden on Saturday morning, Flashlight Nights: Spring Edition on Saturday evening, and a Mother’s Day celebration on May 10 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Below are some plants guests can find in bloom throughout the Garden:
Saguaros
This towering Sonoran Desert icon begins blooming from late April through June, with peak blooms typically early to mid-May. With creamy white petals and numerous yellow stamens, saguaro flowers form at the top of the stem. In recent years, researchers have observed some flowering along the sides as well. Each bloom opens at night and lasts about a day, emitting a fragrance similar to ripe melon.
Echinopsis spp.
Along the Garden’s main trail, guests can encounter a variety of Echinopsis species. This genus of cactus blooms almost exclusively at night, producing large, white, showy flowers. The most well-known is the Argentine giant (E. candicans), though other species and hybrids continue blooming throughout the summer. The Garden is open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m., so visit early or stay late to catch these spectacular blooms.
Barrel Cactus
Blooming in red, orange, or yellow—often in a ring at the top—barrel cacti begin their show in late spring. Some species, like the fishhook barrel (Ferocactus wislizeni), bloom through September. They’re best viewed in the morning and midday.
Barometer Bush (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Also known as Texas sage, this drought-tolerant plant blooms in response to high humidity or rain. With monsoon season approaching, these plants begin producing purple or white flowers, often predicting rain before it arrives. You’ll find them throughout the Garden—if you see a sea of purple, it’s likely barometer bush.
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
Though not a true willow, this plant produces pink, trumpet-shaped flowers from late April through June. Several are scattered along the Wildflower Trail. These Southwestern natives thrive in full sun and attract pollinators like hummingbirds and bees, creating a lively spring scene.
Adeniums
Each spring, the Garden’s horticulture team brings out adeniums, or desert roses. Native to Africa, these potted plants are kept in greenhouses during colder months. Throughout summer, they produce five-petaled flowers in shades of red and pink. Placed throughout the trails, they offer striking photo opportunities, especially when in bloom.
Pride of Barbados
A clear sign temperatures are rising, pride of Barbados begins blooming in vibrant red, orange and yellow. When multiple plants bloom together, they resemble a vivid desert sunset. These showstoppers continue flowering throughout the summer.
Don’t miss the final stretch of spring—catch these blooms before temperatures begin to climb.
