Tohono Chul

Tohono Chul is a community oasis where reverence for the cultural and natural ecology of the Sonoran Desert region inspires responsible stewardship so that future generations may thrive. They envision the garden as an immersive environment celebrating the wonders of the Sonoran Desert, a commons that is integral to the community, meaningfully engaging with the diverse histories and cultures of the region, and an ecological leader, championing actionable, nature-based solutions to the core environmental challenges facing arid lands.

The collections consist of over 800 species of woody plants, perennials, cacti, succulents, and desert trees with a focus on species that are expected to be resilient in the face of a changing climate. The selection and development of the plant collections at Tohono Chul are strategically aligned with the diverse horticultural needs of the garden. Plants are selected based on specific criteria including historical and cultural relevance, conservation value, proximity of natural range to Tohono Chul, display aesthetics, and educational benefit. 

They have the world’s largest collection of desert night-blooming cereus (Peniocereus greggii) and a full representation of the members of the ocotillo family Fouquieriaceae. An emerging focus of Tohono Chul is assessing and documenting the performance of various desert trees as the need for improved canopy coverage makes proper tree selection and care a necessity in the Sonoran Desert environment. The goal is to turn Tohono Chul into a desert shade canopy living laboratory where urban planners, arborists, and researchers can learn about the best practices for creating shade and combatting the urban heat island effect in desert cities.