Boyce Thompson Arboretum
|
I recently toured the Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, Arizona on sunny spring day. Many types of Agave were sending up flower spikes that will bloom in the near future. Flower buds are appearing on the Saguaros, but only a few have bloomed.
See the location of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Google Earth.
Entrance to the Boyce Thompson Aroretum.
The Curandero Trail features vegetation of the Sonoran Desert. A Century Plant, which is a type of Agave, has sprouted a flower spike.
Overlooking the Arboretum from the Curandero Trail.
Saguaro in bloom
Saguaro, Prickly Pear, and Creosote dominate the Sonoran landscape overlooking the Australian Pavilian.
A Schott Agave has sprouted a flower spike.
Flower spike of a Schott Agave.
Agave flower spikes.
The butterfly and hummingbird garden is stocked with annuals that attract pollenators.
The butterfly and hummingbird garden
Pathway leading to the Smith Interpretive Center.
Smith Interpretive Center.
The flower spikes of Century Plants can be over twenty feet tall and grow very quickly.
Only a few of the flower buds at the top of the spike are blooming.
Century Plant flower spike
Agave flower spikes
Agave flower spike
Prickly Pear in bloom.
Prickly Pear in bloom.
Yucca flower spikes
Prickly Pear blossoms
Flower buds are starting to bloom on the arms of a Saguaro.
Silver King Wash runs through the north part of the Arboretum.
Ayer Lake
Ayer Lake
Some columnar cacti have spectacular blossoms.
A cistern at the top of Magma Ridge feeds sevral small streams leading down to Ayer Lake.
Ayer Lake
Magma Ridge Cistern
The Picket Post House was built by Colonel Boyce Thompson in the 1920s. After years in private hands it is now in possession of the state and will be restored for public tours.
Magma Ridge Cistern
Flower buds are about to bloom on top of a Saguaro.
The Picket Post House
The Upper Sonoran Natural Area on top of Magma Ridge.
Agave flower spike
Upper Sonoran Natural Area
The volcanic tuff forms rugged cliffs.
Queen Creek Suspension Bridge
Queen Creek Suspension Bridge
Saguaros grow in the nooks and crannies of Magma Ridge.
The canopy of trees provides shade along the Wlakabout Trail.
The Clevenger House is built into the cliff face in the Wing Memorial Herb Garden.
The interior of one of the greenhouses of the Smith Interpretive Center.
The interior of the other greenhouse of the Smith Interpretive Center.
A small bird with a yellow breast takes a drink from a fountain in the Australian Pavilian.
The butterfly and hummingbird garden
Desert Meadow in the Demonstration Garden.
Succulent Garden in the Demonstration Garden.
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is located near Superior, Arizona.
Send a message to Brian.