Even on a 100 degree day this garden is a cool place to be. Only 15 years old this 36 acre botanical garden was built in the site of a city park which had fallen into disrepair. As a result mature cottonwood and elm trees provide shade all throughout the garden. The entry courtyard is spacious and decorative. You enter the garden through beautifully ornate bronze gates.
The tools of the giants are scattered about. There is a rake, trowel, and watering can, and flower pots, are all fit for the giant. A motion activated bee begins buzzing overhead as you walk in to the potting area. You walk into the interior of a monstrous pumpkin with the seeds and stringy center dangling overhead. The tree trunks open up for play, you may slide down to another level. This imaginative garden space is a bit of magic for all ages.
Plants for perching grow around the pond, allowing guests to view and identify several species of dragonflies at once. A stream bubbles into the exhibit from a rocky desert landscape, and a deck overlooks the vibrant scene.”
It is fascinating to stand and watch the activity in this pond. Both the Dragon and Damselflies will land and stay still for considerable time allowing you to fully examine their translucent colors. Right next to the pond is the butterfly pavilion open May to October.
Many gardens have medicinal or herb garden representing the importance of plants in medicine. Here El Jardin (garden) de la Curandera commemorates the Curanderos, Spanish folk doctors, who have been practicing for 300 plus years. A bass relief sculpture by Diego Rivera is the centerpiece of this garden.
There is much more to see, an architecturally wonderful conservatory, a perennial garden, a Japanese garden, a spectacular ceremonial garden all done in white flowers.
I was driving through Albuquerque on my way farther east. Making time to stop and enjoy this garden was a great travel stop.