Every time I go Hiking, I wish I knew more about the plants that I am looking at. If you feel ths same - here are five amazing gardens\living museums to start with. The list includes Botanic Gardens and National Monuments, some are inside the city limits, and one (the Sonoran Desert Museum is just a spectacular drive away from the city) through the North Tucson Mountains. Make sure to add time for stopping along the way.

The Arizona Desert Museum is inside of the Saguaro National Forest, It is a great place to take a date, friends or families to look at plants and animals up close and personal without worrying about packing water and all of the gear needed for a hike in the Desert. Although it is best to have a hat, sunscreen and water with you at all times. The sun is particularly intense in Southern AZ.. The plant collections are incredible. I like going through the hummingbird house and the bird aviary. Gambel Quail are on the ground - it’s so cool to hear them burbling in the undergrowth.

The Tucson Botanical Garden is a quiet place to spend late afternoon watching the color changes and birds and insects floating through the pollinator gardens. They have a gorgeous butterfly and orchid pavilion. The plant collection is well maintained - my favorite area is the Cactus and Succulent garden and the citrus grove in the winter. The smell of lemon and orange blossoms are intoxicating.

Entrance buildings at The **Tucson Botanical Garden**

The Mission Garden is a living agricultural museum. It has recreated gardens based on all of the peoples who have lived and moved through the Sonoran Desert and Tucson. It is a great resource for questions about food culture, history and native plants. They host an annual Agave Festival in the Fall, with demonstrations of food and drinks that come from the great agave.

The Mission garden sells a ‘Mission Black Fig’ tree. Mission instagram

Tohono Chul is a 37 acre botanic garden with a nursery, gift shop and bistro. They have music in the gardens with world class musicians. The nature trail walk goes through mature saguaros. I have never seen the great horned owl pictured below, but wouldn’t that be thrilling?

11 | a field guide: five gardens to visit Tucson, AZ