Botanic Garden

Opened in 1996, the Botanic Garden has grown to 32 acres of exhibits, and showcases plants from the American Southwest and around the world.

The Botanic Garden’s BUGarium is one of the most elaborate exhibits dedicated to bugs and arthropods in the country.

The Travel Channel cites ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden as one of the top 12 in the country!

Seasonal Update:

Learn more about featured seasonal plants!

Featured on 5/7/25: Throughout woodland borders in the eastern half of North America, small columns of pea-like flowers accent the spring landscape in a spectrum of shades of yellows and blues or white. The name of the genus Baptisia means “to dye”, referencing the use of several species for dye production as does the common name “false indigo” due to the use of blue species of Baptisia as a substitute for true indigo (genus Indigofera) from the West Indies. In all, Baptisia contains over 20 species and their hybrids, with Baptisia australis being the most common used in cultivation.

These tough, long-lived plants grow around 2-4 feet tall and root deeply even in poor, dry, or eroded soil. Deep roots help them tolerate drought, and they even fix nitrogen in the soil. Their long blooming period not only provides bold color to a naturalized garden or border, but certain species are excellent for a diverse array of pollinator species, even serving as a crucial host for several butterfly and moth larva and the adult form of the ashgray blister beetle. You can find a species of Baptisia that compliments your garden and add this wild beauty to your own landscape!

Featured on 4/30/25: Meet the Blue flax: This New Mexico native lines the centers of the winding walkway that guides you into the newly-reopened Heritage Farm, with fountains of little blue blooms swaying in the breeze. This wild perennial, scientifically known as Linum lewisii, comes from the flax genus Linum which contains about 200 species. The related Linum usitatissimum, with similar blue flowers, is a cultivated species that is the source of linseed oil and linen. From late spring to midsummer, blue flax flowers throughout western North America open in the morning for one glorious day in the sun. At up to 30 inches tall, this profusely flowering wildflower is already adapted to provide color and movement to your garden while supporting native pollinators!

Each plant will last a few years, but are self-seeding so they will persist in your garden without being overly aggressive to its neighbors. As a native plant it’s naturally heat and drought tolerant and will prefer well-drained to dry soil, including rocky, sandy, and lean soils. In fact, over-rich or over-watered soil will cause them to droop. It also thrives in full sun, making it a perfect choice for rocky gardens, sunny paths, and containers. All in all, using native species in your garden is greatly beneficial to both the gardener (as a low maintenance option that’s already at home here), and to the local ecosystem as a valued food source for the pollinators that share our backyards. Not to mention, natural blue flowers are a rarity and a beautiful accent to the landscape!

Featured on 4/16/25: Dendrobium orchids: A perfect feature for National Orchid Day! This U.S. holiday is celebrated on April 16 each year and recognizes one of the most widespread and diverse flowering plant families, with around 28,000 species in 702 genera. The family Orchidaceae is found in almost every habitat on Earth except glaciers, though the richest concentration is in the tropics. The genus Dendrobium is a very large one, containing over 1,800 species, their cultivars, and hybrids that are native throughout southern and eastern parts of Asia whose roots creep over the surface of trees and rocks instead of in the soil. In addition to their exotic beauty and rainbow of colors, they also play a role in purifying indoor air, removing xylene and toluene from the environment. If that’s not enough, some also boast a sweet fragrance!

This genus is large and complex, so care needs can vary between the 6 distinct groups it’s divided into. All Dendrobium require frost-free conditions and some need warmth and humidity, making them more suited as potted indoor plants here in Albuquerque. Bright, indirect light is best for many varieties as direct sunlight can sunburn the leaves. Watering needs will also vary depending on the flowering season, whether the species needs rest periods, and whether they are evergreen or deciduous, but in general they should not be allowed to dry out completely, nor do you want to drown the roots. Flowers can last anywhere from one day to three months, and each spike can produce between five to twenty flowers over the course of the blooming season. It’s important to know whether the species you’ve chosen is evergreen or deciduous as leaves of deciduous Dendrobiums will yellow and drop, but leafless canes are not dead and shouldn’t be removed. When choosing the flowers that speak to you, make sure to research their individual needs to get the most out of these beautiful additions to your home!

Pictured: Dendrobium Hawaiian Delight ‘Puanani’ in the Mediterranean Conservatory, a hybrid of Dendrobium Micro Chip and Dendrobium Nida 

Featured on 4/2/25: The Botanic Garden has welcomed spring with seasonal arrangements located throughout the garden! Look for these classy and colorful containers featuring striking hues of purple, orange or yellow, and white. Herbaceous perennial Viola ‘Penny Blue” makes a beautiful border at around 4-6 inches tall, with a compact habit and subtle fragrance. Standing tall in the middle of the containers at 12-24 inches are the multi-colored ranunculus, cultivars from the genus Ranunculus which contains about 1750 species. The large, thin-petaled flowers resemble roses with their dense layers and are sure to catch your eye, especially when contrasted against the bright white of the ornamental cabbage ‘Osaka Wavy White’. It may not be the first thing many think of, but a bright rosette of frilly white leaves makes ornamental cultivars from the genus Brassica a great choice for a beautiful ground cover that adds dimension and compliments other blooms. Ornamental cabbages can be 12 inches wide and 6 inches tall, so plan your space accordingly when arranging your own borders or containers and look for varieties in other shades as well, including pinks, purples, and reds. 

These cool-weather annuals work together perfectly in the spring when the nights are still cool, and can even withstand a light freeze when our New Mexico weather waffles in the transition of the seasons. Full sun to partial shade will yield the best flowering season, ranunculus may not flower at all in full shade. Containers may need more frequent watering than in the ground, but wherever you choose make sure you have good drainage and keep them moist but not soaked. These arrangements will be on display through the beginning of May when summer color will take over, so head in for a spring stroll at the Botanic Garden and check them out!