Desert Wallace Garden Update

Wallace Desert Garden

Getting Ready for the Grand Opening in 2020!

Text by Lee Brownson, Executive Director, Wallace Desert Garden Photos by Dara Heward

One of the most frequently asked questions by our members is, “What’s going on with the Wallace Garden, and when will it be open?” The simple answer is that the Grand Opening is scheduled for March 25- 29, 2020. A bit more complete answer follows.

First, the good news. All the large, boxed plants are in the ground with the only exceptions being the twenty to thirty temperature-sensitive cacti that were in the Wallace Pavilion. These are awaiting a permanent, sheltered home on site. Of the 2,000 boxed specimens, we lost

10%, about what we expected. It is remarkable considering they were dug out of the ground and hauled 75 miles on the back of a truck. After being transported, they rested in the holding area for as long as two years. Then, they were put on a truck again and driven to the garden site. Once to their new home, they were picked up by a front-loader and finally placed in their new permanent locations. This incredible feat was accomplished by the work of Rob Kater and his Native Resources International company. Not only did they minimize losses, but they also did it ahead of schedule and below budget!

Although the “big boys“ (the specimens) have been planted, work remains. Trails, shade structures, and other hardscape features are still in process—plus all the small understory plants need to be tagged, accessioned, and moved into place. This work is in progress with BTA’s horticulture staff leading the effort and being assisted by Native Resources personnel.

Now to our continuing challenges!

The biggest issue we have faced is that the bulk of the Garden is on the south side of Queen Creek. Although it is dry most of the year, Queen Creek becomes a barrier when it rains. For example, little work was done due to high water during the super wet October of last year. We knew that a water-filled creek would stop visitors from accessing the Garden’s trails, so a bridge was planned. The bridge planning process took longer than expected, and the resulting construction costs were breathtakingly high at 1.3 million dollars. Flood plain issues

necessitated a much higher and longer bridge than was initially expected. These unforeseen issues forced us to go back to the drawing board, but we are confident that a solution will be forthcoming.

Everyone at BTA, from the Board of Directors to the newest employees, is anxious to see The Wallace Desert Garden at Boyce Thompson Arboretum open as soon as possible. And want it to be done right.

My mother used to say, particularly in the month of December, that “good things are worth waiting for.” She was right, of course, and Christmas always arrived. I guarantee that the addition of the Wallace Collection to BTA will be worth the wait. The plants are magnificent, and the setting is spectacular.

Speaking for everyone who has been involved in this project, “I can’t wait to see you at the Grand Opening Celebration!”