Master Gardeners have created and care for an "Interpretive Trail" to focus attention on environmentally responsible landscaping and gardening in the low desert. It demonstrates the "how" and the "why" of plant selection, placement and care. There are many beautiful gardens in the valley that visitors may admire, but most have no idea how to recreate them in their own yards. We wanted to create an educational trail explaining the decisions that go into developing and maintaining an effective landscape.

The two and a half acre property has been broken up into sections to illustrate a variety of components (an entry way, transition zone, wildflower meadow, native plants trail, vegetable demonstration gardens, etc.) In each of these areas there are signs and flyers that direct people's attention to the key steps involved in the creation of the site and what they need to do at home to recreate it. In the future, there will be information on irrigation, water harvesting, use of mulch, as well as information on optimum placement of trees for energy savings etc.

Grants were obtained from the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the Arizona Community Tree Council, partnerships established with the City of Phoenix Water Department, and donations obtained from a variety of nurseries, supply houses and other vendors and individuals. Master Gardeners obtained funding and support to install a completely new irrigation system for the entire grounds.

As you walk along the Trail you will see a wide diversity of plants appropriate for use in the low desert:

• Interpretive Trail Map
• Native and Desert Adapted Landscape Plants.
• Desert Wildflowers
• Heritage Roses
• Recreational Turf
• Tropical and Semi Tropical Fruiting Plants
• Annual Flowers
• Herbs
• Flowering Bulbs
• Deciduous Fruit Trees
• Traditional Vegetables
• "Native Seed" Vegetables
• Citrus Trees
• Warm or Cool Season Turf Variety Plots
• Wildlife Habitat
• Children's Garden (coming soon)
• Healing Garden

Signs and descriptive "Trail Guide" fact sheets are available for your information.

To Home Horticulture in Maricopa County, AZ

To Horticulture Adventures

Landscape Interpretive Trail for the Low Desert
Visitors since March 16, 1998

Last Updated June 8, 1999
Author: Cathy Rymer, Instructional Specialist, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
Reviewed by: Lucy K. Bradley, Extension Agent Urban Horticulture, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County
© 1997 The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, in Maricopa County

Comments to Cathy Rymer, crymer@ag.arizona.edu 4341 E. Broadway Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85040
(602) 470-8086 ext. 311

http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/general/intrail.htm