The award-winning city of Glendale Xeriscape Botanical Garden began its initial construction in June of 1990, the same week it turned 122 degrees. The area landscaped was in front of the Main Library and the plants are labeled with common and botanical names.
Each year, the garden has expanded to where it now is approaching 1,000 plant varieties and nearly four acres in size. Considered one of the best demonstration gardens in the state, there are interesting plants for all to enjoy. The garden area continues west around the parking lot and ends at the southeast corner of the property. In addition to a large cacti section along Brown Street, there are many palm trees in the parking lots medians. There is also an ethnobotanical area (plants that are edible or medicinal in purpose) southeast of building. The garden contains most of the low water use plants that appear on the Arizona Department of Water Resource's "Low Water Use Plant List".
Walking the many paths enable people to see plant relationships, the use of boulders and proper drip irrigation emitter placement. It is recommended you bring a note pad and pen to write down names of plants you would like in your yard.
Free landscaping brochures are available inside the library.