Your Guide to a
Spring in Full Bloom DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN | SPRING 2026
Spring in the desert is pure magic. Cool mornings, sun-warmed afternoons and the promise of color everywhere you look. It’s the season when the Garden feels most alive and when your support makes the biggest impact. DEAR GARDEN MEMBERS, As the Garden’s new President and CEO, I feel incredibly grateful to step into this role at such a vibrant moment in our history. I’ve inherited a remarkable foundation built by generations of staff, volunteers, donors and members and I’m committed to honoring that legacy while helping guide the Garden into its next chapter. This year, our spring lineup is designed to inspire every kind of visit. Whether you wander in for quiet reflection, arrive with friends for an evening under the stars or join us for one of our signature spring festivals, there is something unforgettable waiting for you here. You’ll see new bursts of color throughout the trails, fresh interpretation woven into our collections and the return of the experiences you’ve told us you love most. From hands-on classes and special experiences to culinary moments and our springtime traditions, this season is built to deepen your connection with the desert and invite you back again and again.
You’ll also see momentum building from our new initiatives, including the continued evolution of Desert Pulse, new ways to learn about the plants that define this place and a continued focus on community. As we begin shaping what the next few years can look like at this Garden, members like you are at the center of everything we are planning. Thank you for being part of the Garden’s story. Your membership helps us care for this extraordinary collection, protect desert ecosystems and create joyful spaces for so many visitors each year. I hope you’ll explore everything spring has to offer and that these months fill you with the same sense of hope and renewal the desert gives all of us. See you on the trails,
Chris Kline President & CEO
THE DESERT DOESN’T SLEEP, DON’T MISS A MOMENT
LOTERÍA NIGHTS Jan. 15, Feb. 12, March 12, April 9
DOG DAYS AT THE GARDEN Select Saturdays from Jan. 3 through May 9 Plus, give your four-legged friend the VIP treatment with our new VIP Pup Club! More information on back cover.
MARK KLETT: DESERT CITIZENS Jan. 24 – Sept. 7
BLACK LOVE: THE EXHALE PRESENTED BY CENTERED.PHX
MAJESTIC MARIPOSAS
Feb. 7
Feb. 27 – May 10 Ce l e 5 0 b ra t e of P Years l Tog anting et h e r!
SPRING PLANT SALE March 12–15 Member Reservations open Feb. 4
FUND THE FARM CELEBRATION March 20 w r Ne You -To Go en Gardes B it
JOIN US AT THE PATIO CAFÉ AND GERTRUDE’S BY TARBELL’S Open Daily Sip on an iced cold brew while soaking in the desert views, then crunch on bold and flavorful tacos. From fresh bites to hearty favorites, every dish pairs perfectly with the vibrant atmosphere of the Garden at both dining options.
CENTRAL ARIZONA CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY ANNUAL SHOW & SALE March 27–29
SPRING INTO DESERT PULSE Explore this multi-sensory exhibit along the Garden’s verdant trails and step inside The RAF Exhibit Gallery where blooms take over the space and transform your visit into an other-worldly experience.
On Display Now through May 10 FRAMERATE: Desert Pulse turns the slowmoving desert into a cinematic experience. Five immersive installations. Thousands of images. One unforgettable journey. Member Tip: Visit on a weekday evening for smaller crowds.
Pulse Parties Jan. 23, Feb. 13, March 13, April 10, May 1 Included in Your Garden Membership! Inspired by Desert Pulse, these themed Garden parties are designed to ignite senses and elevate your spirit.
N EW T N E VE
Bottles & Bites with SanTan Distilling Jan. 28, March 25 An immersive tasting adventure where flavor, craftsmanship and creativity come together. Stroll through each interactive station and discover the artistry behind exceptional food, drinks and pairings
Desert Studio: An Emerging Artists Series Jan. 30, Feb. 27, March 27, April 17, May 8 Included in Your Garden Membership! Uncover emerging artists, never-before heard music and album drops designed to spark excitement for Garden members and music lovers alike!
Enhance your visit with an Adult Education class Drying Flowers with Desiccants Feb. 17 Explore how to use desiccants to preserve flowers with their vibrant colors and delicate details intact. Learn simple techniques to transform fresh blossoms into lasting treasures for art, décor or keepsakes.
Capturing Our World: Past, Present and Future, ScanLAB Artists and Mark Klett March 6 We will explore both traditional photography and lidar scanning as means of capturing change over time, with a specific focus on environmental change. The future role of LiDAR scanning will be examined within the context of photography and personal documentation. Interested in Adult Education at the Garden? View our full list of Spring Classes at dbg.org/learn
FAMILIES GROW HERE
Explore our Spring Kids & Family Programs at the Garden! CACTUS CLUBHOUSE Now through May 10 | Thursday – Sunday An engaging, hands-on nature play space for kids 12 and under.
SEEDLINGS Jan. 14, 21, 28 & April 1, 8, 15, 22 Children 3-5 and caretakers experience the wonder of nature through hands-on fun.
STORYTIME Select Fridays & Saturdays | Feb. 13 – May 2 Spark your child’s love for nature with engaging stories, songs and hands-on activities. For children five and under and their caregivers.
ARIZONA OPERA PRESENTS RUSALKA, THE LITTLEST MERMAID Feb. 16 Experience a child-friendly opera about courage, transformation and following your dreams. Based on Han Christian Anderson’s classic fairytale “The Little Mermaid”.
MOTHER’S DAY May 10 Enjoy a day surrounded by cactusfilled landscapes, Garden exhibits and a complimentary photo booth.
SUMMER CAMPS June 1–26 Camps feature outdoor skills, natureinspired art, sustainability and science. Camps for ages 6-8 and 9-12.
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COLOR YOUR WAY THROUGH SPRING When the desert wakes up in a burst of color and the trails come alive with the first blooms of the season. Cactus flowers, wildflowers and fresh spring growth transform the Garden into a vibrant landscape, offering you a rare chance to see the desert at its most spectacular. Bring your camera and capture the season’s beauty. Spring doesn’t last long in the desert, but its colors are unforgettable. YOUR GARDEN BLOOMING GUIDE 1.
Argentine Giant Echinopsis candicans
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Saguaro Carnegiea gigantea
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Prickly Pear Opuntia humifusa
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Red Hot Poker Aloe Aloe aculeata
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Claret-Cup Cactus Echinocereus triglochidiatus
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Baja Fairy Duster Calliandra californica
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Hedgehog Cactus Echinocereus sp.
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Parry’s Penstemon Penstemon parryi
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Purple Lilac Vine Hardenbergia violacea
10. Arroyo Lupine Lupinus succulentus 11.
Agave Agave sp.
12. Queen Victoria Agave Agave victoria-reginae
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Step into the Garden’s most colorful season.
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If you’re chasing your daily step goal and craving a refreshing dose of desert beauty, the Garden is the perfect place to stretch your legs and explore. With five trails winding through 55 acres of Sonoran Desert splendor, you’ll find endless opportunities to wander, discover and soak in the scenery. And when you’ve hit your step goal or simply feel ready for a break reward yourself with a refreshing drink from the Patio Café. Sip a Press Cold Brew coffee, a bright prickly pear tea or a cool lemonade as you relax and enjoy the views.
Member Favorites: Early-entry mornings — the soft light and cooler air make this the best time to explore.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Phoenix, AZ Permit no. 1269
1201 N. Galvin Parkway Phoenix, AZ 85008 480.941.1225 | dbg.org
J OI N THE PAC K
VIP Pup Club This new annual Dog Days VIP Pup Club is designed for dog lovers who want to share the beauty of the Garden with their four-legged companions. As a Club member, you’ll enjoy exclusive access to dog-friendly experiences, including special strolls among the cactus, playful social gatherings and limited-time events throughout the year during Dog Days only. The VIP Pup Club is a paw-some way to make lasting memories with your best friend while exploring the desert’s natural wonder together.
Visit dbg.org/VIPPupClub to learn more.