Botanic Garden

See hours, ticket info. and directions

Opened in 1996, the Botanic Garden has grown to 32 acres of exhibits, and showcases plants from the American Southwest and around the world.

The Botanic Garden’s BUGarium is one of the most elaborate exhibits dedicated to bugs and arthropods in the country.

The Travel Channel cites ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden as one of the top 12 in the country!

Seasonal Update:

Learn more about featured seasonal plants!

Lanceleaf sumac, featured 9/2/26: Along the curve of the Curandera Garden loop you’ll find a hardy southwestern native that may appear unassuming, but undergoes a fantastic change to become a standout in the fall scenery! Rhus lanceolata’s species name and the common name above both reference the thin, pointy lance-shaped leaves in Latin and English, respectively, but soon you’ll see why it’s well known by another common name: prairie flameleaf sumac. In the summer, pinnacled clusters of tiny cream-colored flowers are framed by rich green foliage. Those flowers produce tiny red fruits that can persist into winter, providing late-season food for migrating birds and other wildlife. But when the temperatures cool, it's the leaves' turn to transform into a bold red, commanding your attention and especially striking in their natural landscape where they form thickets in prairies throughout the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

These small trees grow fairly quickly and regular water in their first growing season will help them establish deep roots and relative independence. Set them up in a well-drained spot in full sun with room to spread out a little, and soon you’ll have a water-wise natural hedge or border with many benefits! Between flowering into late summer and the prolonged availability of fruit clusters into winter, they are a multi-seasonal magnet for bees, fig beetles, birds, and more, as well as providing cover for wildlife and erosion control. Whether you catch the lanceleaf sumac in its summer palette or not, be sure to visit and look for it in the fall!

Cut-and-come-again zinnia, featured 8/26/26: The summer section of Camino de Colores is bursting with color, and the high-speed wingbeats of hummingbirds flocking to feast on late summer flowers! The continuous blooms of cut-and-come-again zinnias are the gift that keeps on giving, all the way through first frost, making them a favorite of the migrating hummingbirds as well as many other pollinators. Many cultivars and hybrids of Zinnia elegans also boast heat and drought tolerance, sturdy stems, and a comparatively long life as a cut flower…which means they are a favorite of gardeners, too!
 
As western North American natives, Zinnias will thrive in drier conditions more easily than staying overly wet which may expose them to fungal disease. When watering, avoid wetting the foliage when possible and focus on the soil and base instead. Where many flowers would whither, zinnias shine: they can take the heat of our summer sun and as the saying goes “the more you cut, the more the bloom!” Zinnias are available in a spectrum including almost every hue and combination, in shapes from single disks to domed pom-poms that resemble dahlias. One thing to note: some cultivars don’t contain pollen and nectar anymore, so if your goal is to attract pollinators to your garden be sure to check before purchasing seeds. Whether your goal is a bright, cheerful landscape or a steady supply of fresh cut flowers for bouquets or your vase, cut-and-come-again zinnias can be a fantastic addition to your garden!

Morning glory, featured 8/5/26: If you plan your visit to the BioPark early in the day to beat the heat, another reward you might find are morning bloomers at the Botanic Garden! Perhaps the most well known are named for this very habit: morning glories! The species typically used in gardening is Ipomoea tricolor, a native of the tropics of the Americas, especially Mexico and Central America. Flowers are trumpet shaped and can be around 5 inches wide, flanked by heart-shaped leaves on vines that can be 8 to 10 feet tall. From around July to the first frost, new flowers are produced each morning that close by the afternoon, except on cloudier days where they may stay open all day! Butterflies and hummingbirds will enjoy them for breakfast where they twine over fences, trellises, arbors, or even sprawl out as ground cover.

Morning glories enjoy the full sun (with some protection from strong wind) and in their native range they are perennials, but they can’t tolerate temperatures in the forties or below so here in Albuquerque they can be grown as an annual. They also don’t tolerate standing water so make sure the soil is evenly moist but well-draining, and avoid wetting the foliage itself. Once established, they can handle some dryness and are adaptable to urban environments. Due to some toxicity it’s recommended to use gloves when handling, washing your hands afterwards, and choose a location that is not easily accessible to young children, cats, dogs, or horses. Morning glories are one of the few naturally occurring blue flowers, but many cultivars are available so you can also find purples, pinks, reds, whites, or combinations of more than one color to fit your garden and style! Pictured: Ipomoea tricolor ‘Flying Saucer’ in the Heritage Farm container garden

Wax mallow, featured 7/29/26: The twirled petals of these bright red flowers will never fully open, but that doesn’t stop them from being a favorite for pollinators. One species of Texas butterfly even shares a common name due to the plant’s role as its larval host! And if this native of the Americas reminds you of a bud of the iconic tropical hibiscus, you’re not alone: sleeping hibiscus is another common name for Malvaviscus arboreus, and they are indeed related as members of the Malvaceae family. As a native to the southern United States that’s easy to propagate and grow, wax mallow is part of a tradition known as “pass-along” plants. This custom predates the nursery industry and is a great way to connect to friends, family, and neighbors!

In its native range wax mallow is a perennial understory shrub in coastal areas from Texas and Louisiana down to South America. Although it can grow around 10 feet high, it’s adapted to dappled sunlight under a canopy so it’s best to choose a site that is bright, but will provide some shade, in fertile soil. They will need more moisture than full desert species as long as the soil or container has good drainage, but once established can be somewhat drought tolerant and adaptable. Each vibrant flower lasts about two days, but they continue to bloom until late summer or early fall until they transition into red berries that taste similar to apples that feed birds and mammals – humans, too! Providing many benefits to many species, wax mallow can make a great addition to your own home garden and leave a legacy for the next generation of gardeners when shared!