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 12/4/24: Did you know that if you looked at a photo of one species of orchid every day, it would take you almost 80 years to see them all? There are around 28,000 accepted species in the family Orchidaceae, organized into almost 800 genera. And that doesn't even begin to consider all the possible hybrids! Orchid species hybridize readily and even between different genera, so the potential is practically limitless. In the wild, they are found in almost every habitat in the world except for glaciers, although the highest diversity is in the tropics. Many countries in Central America, and cities and states around the world use a species of orchid as their national, city, or state flower respectively.

The genus Phalaenopsis, commonly called moth orchids or abbreviated in cultivation to Phal, are known as one of the easiest orchids to grow in homes and have become one of the most popular choices for potted orchids. Unfortunately, habitat loss in their native ranges has left many species highly threatened, one even believed to be extinct in the wild and has been a subject of research for Ex situ (off-site) conservation efforts.

Moth orchids were one of the first tropical orchids in Victorian collections and though it used to be thought of as very difficult to maintain, advances in research and methods of culture have now made it an accessible orchid for beginners. They are also deemed safe for pets, making them a beautiful addition to any home. They should be in indirect light, but in a window with direct light can work if there is a sheer curtain to diffuse it. The color of the foliage can help you determine the right amount: dark green means not enough, red-tinged leaves mean too much, and olive is just right. They need temperatures no lower than 50º at night and no higher than 95º during the day, but they do need a noticeable difference from night to day of 10º-20º, and prefer a humidity at 50% or higher. They are often planted in bark, as good drainage is paramount, and need fertilizer once a week or three weeks out of four. Natural moth orchids tend to bloom from winter to spring with the flowers lasting an average of four months, but some hybrids are less seasonal. Because there are so many options who's parent plants can span different genera and species; be sure to research any care variations for the individual plant you choose. You can see these classic white moth orchids as part of the winter flower show arrangements in the High Desert Rose Garden Atrium at the Botanic Garden now!

Featured on 11/27/24: As pretty as the little flowers of the Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii are from late spring to summer; the unique berries are sure to catch your eye in fall and winter! The yellow-orange fruit contains a single black seed and becomes translucent as it matures around October. Although these fruits are inedible to humans - so far as to be considered poisonous - they do have another use indicated by the common name: western soapberry. When crushed and agitated with water, the berries make a soapy lather which has been used to launder clothes throughout its native range across the southern U.S. and Mexico. It typically is found in stream banks, wood margins, and rocky hillsides - including here in New Mexico!

Being a native species, you can expect that established trees have good drought tolerance. They can grow in a wide variety of soils including heavy clay, silty clay, sandstone, limestone, dry and well-draining, or moist. Averaging between 20-50 feet tall, it can be used as a shade tree or ornamental and the attractive berries provide winter interest as they often persist all the way through until the next flowering season, in addition to providing food for birds who can stomach the berries that we can't. Other native pollinators will love the clusters of creamy white flowers during blooming season, and one butterfly uses it as a larval host, earning it the name soapberry hairstreak. In optimal growing conditions, they may self-seed and can have a habit of forming groves or thickets, so space and/or management in your selected garden should be considered.

Featured on 11/20/24: The bald cypress is a unique, hardy, and long-lived species of conifer. One individual named The Senator, located in Florida, was estimated to be 3,500 years old in 1993. This resilient species is native to the southeastern United States, and is one of the few conifers that is not evergreen. In fact, it derives it common name from the fact that it's needles fall off in the winter - leaving it "bald" after a showing of beautiful red-and-gold autumn color.

Bald cypress are slow-growing, but can thrive in a wide variety of soils and require a hot summer for growth. Even though it's native to wet, swampy areas of the south, it can be surprisingly drought-tolerant. In addition to eating the cones, many bird species use them for roosting and nesting - including large birds of prey. They are considered a low-maintenance tree with easy fall cleanup, so they can be a nice addition to our city parks here!

Featured on 11/6/24: The numerous species and ornamental cultivars of plants in the genus Impatiens means there is something to please every eye! There are over 1000 species of flowering Impatiens originating throughout the Northern Hemisphere and the tropics. You may hear them called jewelweed, touch-me-not, snapweed, patience, or simply: impatiens. Ornamental impatiens cultivars are primarily Impatiens walleriana, from Eastern Africa, and Impatiens hawkeri, from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Many species in this genus are known for their exploding seed pods, which is the reason behind the common name "touch-me-not". This method of spreading is an alternative to relying on pollinators and can make them invasive in some areas, but not here in the southwestern desert.

Care for the colorful cultivars of I. walleriana and I. hawkeri (New Guinea impatiens) have some similarities, both need full shade outdoors here. One hybrid using New Guinea impatiens called SunPatiens has been bred to tolerate more sun and hotter temperatures, but will still need some protection in our climate. Impatiens can do well in beds, containers, or hanging pots; but should be protected from high wind. The closer together they are, the taller they will grow; so plan your spacing according to the desired look. 8-12 inches between plants will keep them more bushy and low to the ground. Some fertilizer can be beneficial when they are grown anywhere other than a ground bed, and they will need to be kept in moist soil but with good drainage. Sadly they are neither drought tolerant nor withstand freeze, so outdoor plants should be treated as annuals or potted and brought indoors for winter. With some considerations for the southwest, these popular flowers are largely considered to be a low-maintenance addition for your shady garden!