Springs Preserve's garden makes desert landscaping easier to read

Image: Archival photograph of Springs Preserve Botanical Garden by Renee Grayson dated April 19, 2019; not current seasonal planting, bloom conditions or a tour event.

A desert garden is more interesting when it is read as a set of choices rather than a list of drought-tolerant plants. At Springs Preserve, collections of Mojave native and desert-adapted plants give visitors examples to compare: different textures, forms and relationships between planting and outdoor space.

The Botanical Garden includes a Teaching Garden and a nationally accredited Mojave cactus and succulent collection. Preservation is part of its story, too, with many native cacti and yuccas rescued from land being developed. Read plant labels and interpretation before assuming that every specimen in a desert garden is native to the Las Vegas Valley.

Current general visiting hours are Thursday–Monday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Nevada-resident adult admission is $9.95, while nonresident adult admission is $18.95; other rates and eligibility programs are listed on the ticket page. The Preserve is cashless and strongly encourages advance tickets, particularly for busy days.

Choose one practical question, such as how a planting creates shade or what makes a combination suit the local climate. Classes, special events and seasonal attractions may have separate arrangements. Check current conditions, bring water and follow the marked routes. An attractive combination is most useful as inspiration when its growing conditions are understood before it is copied into another garden.

Sources and visit details

• Springs Preserve: Botanical Garden collections, teaching spaces and rescued plants
• Springs Preserve: current hours, admission categories, cashless policy and reservations

Photo: Renee Grayson from Las Vegas, USA / Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted to WebP; the site wordmark may be added in display.