Red Hills Desert Garden

The Red Hills Desert Garden is a xeriscaped botanical garden in St. George, Utah. It is known for its collection of endangered species of plants and fossil tracks in a water-conserving landscape. It has free admission and dogs are allowed on a leash. The garden is a joint collaboration between the Washington County Water Conservancy District, City of St. George, and the Virgin River Program.[4] Established in 2015, it aims to educate visitors about irrigation systems and proper watering techniques.[1]

Red Hills Desert Garden
A display of golden barrel cactuses at the garden in 2017
Red Hills Desert Garden is located in Utah
Red Hills Desert Garden
Red Hills Desert Garden is located in the United States
Red Hills Desert Garden
TypeBotanical garden
Location375 E Red Hills Pkwy, St. George, UT 84770
Coordinates37.1144°N 113.5752°W / 37.1144; -113.5752
Area4.5 acres (1.8 ha)[1]
OpenedMay 20, 2015[2]
Owned by
Visitors150,000 (in (2022)[3])
Open6AM-10PM
Plants5,000[4]
Species333[4]
Budget$3.7 million (2015)[3][5]
Websiteredhillsdesertgarden.com

History

The park opened on May 20, 2015.[2] It had to close from August 22 to 26 in 2016 due to illegally introduced fish such as goldfish, green sunfish, and mosquitofish being placed in the river.[6] The procedure cost between $5,000 to $10,000 and 1,000 invasive fish were removed before it was decided that the stream was to be drained and treated, with the native fish being moved out temporarily.[7]

Features
A canyon wren at the garden

The garden also features a 1,150 ft (350 m) long stream intersecting the park laterally that is stocked with both native and endangered species of fish, such as the Virgin spinedace, flannelmouth sucker, woundfin, speckled dace, desert sucker, and Virgin chub.[8] A fish viewing area is located in a replica of a slot canyon.[9] The fossilized tracks from dinosaurs such as Megapnosaurus, Dilophosaurus, and Scutellosaurus in the garden may date back to 200 million years ago.[4][10] The park is additionally right next to a 62,000 acres (25,000 ha) preserve for desert tortoises called the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.[1]

Due to it being a xeriscaped garden and not using much turf, it saves an average of 5,000,000 US gal (19,000,000 L) yearly.[1][11] It is decorated with lights for the Christmas season annually.[12] The park has seven separate displays of plants: sage, Hesperaloe, Agave, native, Yucca, cactus, and flower.[13] A full list of plants in the garden can be found here.

See also

References
  1. "Red Hills Desert Garden 2019 Brochure" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  2. DeMille, David (2015-05-20). "New park offers to bring visitors closer to nature". The Spectrum. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  3. Eddington, Mark (2022-12-17). "St. George attraction celebrates Christmas — and water conservation". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  4. "Official website". Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  5. DeMille, David (2015-05-25). "Dixie Rock: A park with a view". The Spectrum. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  6. DeMille, David (2016-08-15). "Desert garden to close because of illegally-introduced fish". The Spectrum. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  7. Applegate, Julie (2016-08-22). "No dumping; fish removal begins at Desert Garden". St George News. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  8. Armstrong, Catherine (2021-02-18). "Escape To Red Hills Desert Garden For A Beautiful Utah Nature Scene". OnlyInYourState. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  9. "Red Hills Desert Garden". Hike St George. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  10. Mee, Brad (2022-07-26). "Visit These 3 Utah Public Gardens". Salt Lake Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  11. Kessler, Mori (2022-02-21). "'Natural, native landscaping': As calls to conserve water continues, homeowners may want to consider xeriscape". St George News. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  12. Wilkins, Terell (2019-12-06). "'Tis the season': Things to do for Christmas in Southern Utah". The Spectrum. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  13. "Map of the garden" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-09-03.
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