The Wildflowers of Gila County

The wildflowers are in full bloom along the road from Phoenix to Globe and large fields of poppies can be seen on the drive from Globe to Safford. So if you’re planning a trip out this way, remember to bring your camera and give yourself enough time to stop along the way and get some shots.

If you want to know more about these desert beauties, you can always make a stop at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, just outside of Superior where there are plants from all the Deserts of the world, and the staff is both knowledgeable and amenable in answering your questions.

This weekend at Boyce Thompson there is the Herb Festival and a Guided Walk with Jean Groen and Don Wells who will share their knowledge about desert plants…

April 10 Herb Festival
April 10, Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
Spring’s the season to celebrate herbs — join us April 10 for a chance to learn about the culinary and medicinal uses of herbs, tour our own Wing Memorial Herb Garden, enjoy live music beneath the trees and near the fragrant rosemary and savory plants — and check out a variety of herbal products available from the Arizona Herb Association and other vendors invited to attend our event.

Edible and Medicinal Desert Plants Guided Walk April 10
April 10 at 1:30 p.m., then again April 25
Apache Junction authors Jean Groen and Don Wells are special guest tour guides April 10, Saturday, sharing their knowledge about desert plants which have fed, healed and clothed Sonoran desert peoples for more than a thousand years. Don’t hurry to leave when the tour ends — Jean usually shares homemade desert edible snacks back in the visitor center after the walk. Ethno-botanist and Choctaw Tribal Nation member Dave Morris leads this walk on April 25. ** Please note: this tour explores the Curandero Trail, which has steep sections that are not suitable for visitors who use wheelchairs or walkers.
Read more about jojoba, creosote and prickly pears