Fall Plant Sale Guide 2026
FREE ADMISSION | MEMBERS RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT ON PURCHASES
50 Years. 5 Days. One and Only Sale of the Year. Celebrate our 50th Anniversary Plant Sale—the one and only plant sale of the year and the best time to plant for lasting success. Cooler fall temperatures help trees and shrubs establish before next summer’s heat, making it the ideal season to grow your future shade canopy.
Check out two care guides on Page 7 to uncover creative ideas for your landscape.
Member VIP Shopping Experience | 7–10 a.m. Member Day Oct. 22 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. General Public Oct. 23-26 | 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Free | No tickets or reservations required 1
PARKING & TRANSPORTATION Parking is limited and fills quickly. Consider the following alternative modes of transportation: 1 Lyft: Save 10% with code: DBG 2 Carpool: Bring a friend and celebrate
your green thumb in more ways than one.
3 Valley Metro: Route 56 drops off and picks up
Metro riders steps away.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO All major credit cards are accepted. No cash transactions.
Questions? Look for anyone with a Garden nametag. Or check out Plant Design and Care Hub. Map on Page 3.
There are restrooms located in the Plant Sale. Map on Page 3.
Visitors must be a Garden member to attend Member Day. Roll on in with your own hand cart! Sure, we’ve got shopping carts, we can’t promise they’ll be around when you need them! 2
Plant Loading Area: Staff help load purchases in Row 7 of the parking lot. We also provide a designated area for larger plant pickups located next to the holding area (refer to the Saguaro icon on the map). Plant Delivery is available. See Page 4 for details.
PLEASE NOTE: No pets allowed. Only service dogs or miniature horses.
50 YEARS OF PLANT SALE 1976
April 9, 10 & 11, 1976, first Plant Sale held over three days. Used to be called the Unusual Plant Sale of Unusual Plants After the three-day event, the Garden raised $4,600 and decided to make the Plant Sale an annual event. Growth and Expansion (1980s–2010s) Biannual Format: Grew into regular spring and fall events tailored to optimal desert planting windows. Expanded inventory to thousands of species, incorporating specialized sections for rare collector plants, pollinator/butterfly attractors and budget-friendly options. Martha Stewart visits the Plant Sale in October 2019. Developed exclusive offerings like the “Garden Preferred” line featuring rare or hard-to-find trade varieties. Mobilized horticulture staff and local volunteers to provide hands-on maintenance guides and climate-resilient gardening advice.
2026 50th Anniversary: Marked its golden milestone, highlighting decades of community impact, native conservation and sustainable desert landscaping. Now held over five days with more than 30,000 plants.
Learn more about the history of the Plant Sale here.
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2026 Event Map Cactus & Bareroot Landscape Legends Plant Care & Design Hub Agaves & More Fruit Trees Herbs & Veggies Harvest Market Fouquieria, Bursera, Yuccas & More
ine
Aloe World
Butterfly Plants Rest & Relax Area Great Milkweed Grow Out Plant Loading Area Restrooms Large Plant Pickup And Holding Area Checkout 4
Ent ut
Trees
Exit /Ch eck o
Shrubs, Perennials & Vines
ry L
Specialty Succulents
PLANT DELIVERY Delivery Fee $200 | Fee Waived for Orders more than $2,000 Ask a Staff Member For More Information
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WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED! Swing by the Plant Care and Design Hub during the Plant Sale for more tips on plant care.
1 Not all plants thrive under the same conditions. Consider the environmental factors of your yard. For guidance, take a look at this helpful Clever Garden video.
2 Learn the correct methods for planting your plants from nursery pots into the ground. The How To Plant video will serve as a valuable starting point.
3 Providing proper aftercare is essential once your plants are in the ground. To ensure their success, check out the How To Water video for guidance. 6
YOUR GARDEN’S MVPS The Horticulture Team has developed two comprehensive guides to help you kickstart your desert garden. The first guide offers a sneak peak at the exciting plants available for the Fall Plant Sale including information on their care. The second guide offers trees and shrubs that can be added to your landscape to create a shade canopy as well as how to care for them.
Fall 2026 New Plant Selections Get ready to feast your eyes on the leafy wonders of the Fall 2026 Plant Sale! These fabulous plants have been handpicked just for you, promising to splash your space with color and character. The best part? They’re low maintenance and will enhance the beauty of your garden!
Learn More
Creating Shaded Canopies with Trees & Shrubs When summer cranks up the heat to over 110°F, it’s time to give our gardens a cool makeover! Enlist the help of trees and shrubs to play the role of nature’s parasol, keeping your plant friends happy and thriving. Explore This Guide on the Best Trees and Shrubs to Use! Be sure to visit the Tree and Shrub section for diverse array of trees and shrubs available to purchase (refer to the map for location).
Learn More
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GARDEN HARVEST MARKET Pick from a delightful array of blooming annuals, vibrant hanging baskets, fresh veggies and aromatic herbs to give autumn a warm welcome! Plus, grab seasonal plant decor for your home and make it fabulously festive.
LANDSCAPE LEGENDS Join us in honoring the Plant Sale’s 50th Anniversary by visiting the Landscape Legends display. Purchase an extensive selection of native and distinctive landscape plants that are the true legends of desert landscapes. This collection showcases ultimate champions that are sure to enhance the beauty and value of your landscape for years to come. For the location, please refer to the map on Page 3. 8
PLANT SALE HIGHLIGHTS
BAREROOT PLANTS With the Garden Signature plant line, you have one-of-a-kind access to the Garden’s plant collections for your yard. Choose from a curated selection of plants grown by Garden staff. All Garden Signature plants are grown from Garden seeds and cuttings. Look for orange pot labels.
Choose from an extensive selection of bareroot plants, including both columnar cactus and globular varieties. Our knowledgeable Garden Horticulture staff is available to answer your questions and help you with your choices.
SOIL MIXES FOR POTTED PLANTS Searching for the ideal combination of soil mixes for your succulents or vegetables? Your search ends here! The Garden’s Plant Sale is your ultimate destination for all your potting requirements.
Talk with milkweed experts to create the perfect pollinator garden.
Find plants that have been specifically selected and grown in the Garden’s nursery exclusively for the Plant Sale. They have been individually selected because of their uniqueness, rarity or lack of availability. Look for the green pot labels. 99
Learn
at Desert Botanical Garden
GARDENING & LANDSCAPE CLASSES Ready to get your hands dirty? Whether you’re a budding gardener or ready to grow, master gardening with Garden staff and local experts who have a heart for plants and the Sonoran Desert.
Butterfly Gardening in the Desert | Noelle Johnson Nov. 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Members: $29.95 | General Public: $39.95
Building Great Garden Soil | Melissa Kruse-Peeples Nov. 14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Members: $29.95 | General Public: $39.95
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create a new garden bed, improve existing soil and navigate the many soil amendments and fertilizers available. We’ll cover natural, organic methods for building fertile soil, from composting to vermiculture. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced gardener, you’ll leave with practical tips to nurture vibrant, productive plants year after year. 10
To sign up for gardening & landscape classes, visit dbg.org/learn
The Desert Garden Year: A month-by-month series for growing vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit trees in the low desert | Angela Judd Nov. 18, 5:30-7 p.m. Members: $29.95 | General Public: $39.95 (Per class)
In this 10-part series, we’ll look ahead at what to plant, what to harvest and what needs attention in your vegetable, herb, flower and fruit garden. Each class will help you prepare for the month ahead with practical, timely guidance for our unique climate. Come with your questions and leave with a clear plan for what to do next in your garden. See dbg.org for monthly descriptions.
How to Grow the Perfect Tomato in the Arizona Low Desert | Carol Stuttard Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Members: $29.95 | General Public: $39.95
GARDENING GUIDES
Saguaro Gardening Guide Desert Botanical Garden
Explore the newest Desert Gardening Guides, featuring tips about caring for Saguaros, Boojums, Agaves and a variety of other fascinating plants!
Explore Guides 11 G A R D E N I N G G U I D E | S AG UA R O S | 1
Thank you to our in-kind sponsors
JOIN TODAY AND SAVE! BECOME A MEMBER TODAY AND JOIN THE FUN! Members receive early access to a year’s worth of desert wonder, blooms and perks. Member only deals include exclusive membersevents, discounts for tickets, classes and shopping and reciprocal access to more that 300+ gardens across the U.S.
Plant Sale Refund Policy All products purchased at the Fall Plant Sale leave with a Garden stamp of approval and are nonrefundable. 12