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 3/12/25: There’s hardly a better choice for a low maintenance and water-conscious plant in New Mexico than the many species of cactus and succulents. Echeveria is a large genus of flowering succulents, including nearly 200 species and a wide variety of award-winning hybrids, which are native to Central America, Mexico, and northwestern South America in semi-desert habitats. Some species play a vital role as host plants to butterfly species that rely on them for reproduction. Although the foliage of their compact rosettes are evergreen, the flowering season is typically spring and summer when they sprout arching stalks with small, vibrant bell or star-shaped flowers that may be red, orange, yellow, or white which can last for several weeks. Though they will sometimes produce offsets at the base, they are typically slow-growing and stay low to the ground. 

Tolerance of drought and full sun are part of what makes species and hybrids of Echeveria a popular ornamental choice for even the most casual gardeners, though they are not frost-hardy and should be brought inside for protection against freezing winters. Some species may also need protection from the hottest sun exposure here, so if you have any doubt about which species or cultivar you have the best bet is an east or southeast-facing light exposure. For the ease of relocation according to temperatures, they are best potted in plants whether you keep yours indoors or outdoors. Water Echeveria and other succulents when the soil is dry, which may be weekly depending on factors such as the container size, sun exposure and heating your home in winter, and how many plants are sharing the same pot. They can benefit from fertilizer and a cactus & succulent soil mix, but should have good drainage. You can also check the plant’s needs by gently feeling the bottom leaves: firm leaves means no additional water is needed, whereas softer leaves are thirsty. Succulents provide an easy, but beautiful, southwestern aesthetic to any space!

Featured on 3/5/25: Species, hybrids, and cultivars in the genus Helleborus are also among the first to awaken in late winter or early spring, though some even open pure white flowers in deep winter, earning the common name Christmas rose. Some other common names for the 22 species of Helleborus include winter rose and Lenten rose, though these members of the buttercup family Ranunculaceae are not closely related to true roses of Rosaceae. Species originated in woodlands or rocky slopes in Europe and Asia, with the greatest concentration of native species in the Balkans. The popular garden species, H. orientalis, is native to Greece and Turkey. The flowers of hellebores are actually five sepals, although their shape and color patterns are similar in appearance to petals. Through hybridising, mostly between H. orientalis and closely related species, the color range of the flowers can include near-black, slate gray, deep purples and plums, rich reds and pinks, green, yellow, and white. Some plants are also now double flowered. With a long flowering season around eight to ten weeks, these unique perennial blooms will greet you early and stick around through spring or until the heat here in Albuquerque begins to rise.

Hellebores grow in clumps in partial to full shade, and with their evergreen foliage they can be a great choice to fill in covered empty spaces year-round. It's considered easy to grow in darker areas with protection from high winds in moist, but well-drained, soil with a pH that is neutral to alkaline. As with all early bloomers, pollinators will appreciate the food source. One word of caution: hellebores are poisonous to humans, dogs, cats, and horses, and can also irritate the skin when handling so gloves are recommended. But the good news? Deer and other passing animals generally leave them alone! Find the look that appeals to you and add this striking beauty to your border, patio, woodland garden, cottage garden, under trees or shrubs, or even in containers, and enjoy a long-lasting burst of color.

Featured on 2/19/25: Among the rainbow of around 310 iris species, Iris reticulata is a beautiful little gem that provides a blanket of brilliant blooms along the ground. Sometimes called dwarf iris, they are small flowers only an inch or so across and around four inches tall. It can be found in the wild in temperate regions of western Asia from eastern Turkey to Iran. Like last week's crocus, their early spring blooms provide some of the first meals to pollinators after winter. Though each individual flower is only around for three to seven days, the gradual succession of buds means their flowering season lasts about three weeks total. Flowers can be white, yellow, purple, or the royal blue of the cultivar Iris 'Harmony', but all have a gold crest on each fall (the petal that falls downwards) and a delicate fragrance.

Though it may look exotic, I. reticulata is one of the easiest irises to grow. Not only is it a great choice for novice gardeners, but their need to stay dry when dormant and drought tolerance makes them a water-conscious choice for Albuquerque's climate. They can be planted in rocky soil in a sunny spot with good drainage, and can tolerate partial shade as well. They do need more consistent moisture during spring, but can rot with bad drainage or heavy soil that stays too wet. Due to their small size, small groups may get lost in your landscape so mass them on border fronts, along walking paths, or in your smaller garden to enjoy a vibrant welcome to spring each year!

Featured on 2/12/25: These aptly-named heralds of spring are almost always the first flower in the garden each year, sometimes even emerging through snow. Even the scientific name, Crocus vernus, references the season! In addition to providing a beautiful burst of color, they are also an important source of nectar for newly-awakened pollinators after their winter rest. The genus Crocus contains around 100 species (and their hybrids) whose flower stems remain underground, giving the appearance that the blooms sprout directly from the soil. Flowers may appear in autumn, winter, or spring depending on the species. Crocus is one of the most ancient plant names, described as early as 4th century BC by Greek philosopher and naturalist Theophrastus. Most specifically Crocus sativus, which has been harvested for saffron since at least the Bronze Age. Saffron is made from the dried stigma of this autumn-blooming species, and has long been used for dye as well as being one of the most expensive spices in the world. It may even have been used in embalming in Ancient Egypt!

It's easy to see how they have persisted over their long history. Crocuses are generally low-maintenance and naturalize well, thanks to their wide native range in a variety of habitats from woodlands and meadows to deserts at altitudes from sea level to subalpine (9000-11,000 feet). You can grow your own in well-drained, medium moisture soils in full sun to partial shade. Plant new corms, a type of plant stem that resembles bulbs, in fall after the soil is 60º or colder and water well, once. During blooming season, water if there hasn't been rain for 3-5 days. After the flowering season, leave the foliage in place until it's completely withered and yellow as it will continue to gather sunlight to feed the plant during it's dormant period so it can return year after year. Crocuses make a great sustainable choice for desert gardens since they conserve energy to use when conditions aren't ideal, and are dormant in the hottest parts of summer. If you pair a spring crocus with an autumn-flowering crocus species, they can serve as great season extenders to feed local pollinators before other plants "wake up" and after they've gone to sleep for winter. All in all, these beginner-friendly perennials can make a vivid addition to lawns, borders, rock gardens, beds, containers, or even indoors in pots!