Welcome to the Apache Junction Public Library Garden!
These desert-adapted plants are beautiful, tough, and full of surprises. Many provide food and shelter for wildlife, attract pollinators, and have been used for food, medicine, or even soap.
As you explore, see how many of these desert superheroes you can find!
Full Sun
Plants marked Full Sun grow best with direct sunlight for most of the day and can handle strong Arizona sun with little or no shade.
All of the plants featured in our Library Garden are Full Sun plants.
Low Water
Plants marked Low Water need minimal supplemental watering once established, making them well suited to our desert climate.
All of the plants featured in our Library Garden are Low Water plants.
Pollinator Friendly
Plants marked Pollinator Friendly provide nectar, pollen, or habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Wildlife Food
Plants marked Wildlife Food provide seeds, fruit, nectar, or other food sources for birds and other desert wildlife.
Native Arizona
Plants marked Native Arizona occur naturally in Arizona and are adapted to the region’s climate, soils, and wildlife.
MEET THE PLANTS
Saguaro
Arizona’s Living Symbol
Texas Mountain Laurel
Smells like Grape Soda!
Ocotillo
The Plant That Comes Back To Life
Brittlebush
Desert Sunshine in Bloom
Creosote Bush
Desert Survivor
Hop Bush
Colorful & Desert Tough
Desert Willow
Desert Blooms for Hummingbirds
Desert Hackberry
A Desert Wildlife Favorite
Desert Milkweed
A Lifeline for Monarchs
Engelmann’s Prickly Pear
Purple Fruit, Golden Blooms
Engelmann’s Hedgehog
Small Cactus, Brilliant Blooms
Sonoran Emerald Palo Verde
A Desert Canopy in Bloom
Chuparosa
A Hummingbird Favorite
Thornless Mesquite
Desert Shade Without the Thorns
Desert Mallow
A Splash of Desert Orange
