Rather than focusing on plants in demonstration residential gardens, the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is a massive collection of dry land and drought tolerant plants of the Sonoran desert.  Along the main circular trail you will see a large variety of cactus and succulents, all clearly marked -- just in case you take a fancy to one of them.   

The octopus cactus (Stenocereus alamonsensis) is certainly one of the most dramatic in the garden.  It would make a great barrier plant at the edge of a piece of property, in lieu of a fence.

Additional trails lead away from the main brick path into specialty gardens, including the wildflower trail and the desert herb garden. The renown sculptor, Patrick Dougherty, has created one of his fantastic stick sculptures at the back of the wildflower garden. Be sure to take the time to see it.  

In addition to cactus and succulents, plants common in the grasslands of the Sonoran desert, such as this Sagauro cactus, are grown in the Desert Botanical Garden.

One of the most fascinating of these separate gardens focuses on the plants and people of the Sonoran desert.  There are several housing structures -- from a hogan to Hispanic ramada -- made from local materials.  There are also implements and plants used by the Native Americans.

A Pima traditional home created to protect from wind, summer sun, and cold winter chill.  The temperature within this one in summer is 10 degrees F. or more cooler than the outside.

As with other desert gardens, there are birds and small animals everywhere, including Anna's hummingbirds, desert spiny lizards, black-tailed jackrabbits, ground squirrels, and the Arizona State Bird, the cactus wren.  You can have lunch at the garden, then buy cactus to take home.  There is a fee for entry to the Garden.

This Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is one of the hallmark plants of the Sonoran desert.  Its branches were used by native people for construction of pens and roofs on ramadas.  This photo was shot in the Lost Dutchman Park in the Superstition Mountains to the east of Phoenix.

To the east of Phoenix about 55 miles is the  Boyce Thompson Arboretum which operates under the University of Arizona. 

Other gardens in the Phoenix area:

The Chandler Xeriscape Demonstration Garden
Erie St. and Arrowhead Dr., Chandler AZ

The Glendale Xeriscape Demonstration Garden
59th Ave just south of Peoria Dr., Glendale AZ

The McCormick Railroad Xeriscape Arboretum
7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ

Take these Hot Gardens online preview tours, too:    

Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanic Garden  - near Pasadena

Huntington Gardens Desert Garden - near Pasadena

Descanso Gardens - near Pasadena

Arlington Garden - in Pasadena

Getty Villa Gardens - Malibu

South Coast Botanic Garden - southwest Los Angeles

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden - Claremont, California

Santa Barbara Gardens - Santa Barbara, California

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden  - Santa Barbara, California

Tucson Public Gardens  - Tucson, Arizona

Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden  - Phoenix, Arizona

Balboa Park Gardens, San Diego, California

Tropical Garden in the Dominican Republic

Shore Acres Gardens - Coos Bay Oregon

San Luis Obispo Creek Park - San Luis Obispo, California

Japanese Garden - Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California

Japanese Garden - Long Beach, California