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 | |
   | |
| Type | Botanical garden |
| Location | 375 E Red Hills Pkwy, St. George, UT 84770 |
| Coordinates | 37°06′52″N 113°34′31″W / 37.1144°N 113.5752°W |
| Area | 4.5 acres (1.8 ha)[1] |
| Opened | May 20, 2015[2] |
| Owned by |
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| Visitors | 150,000 (in 2022)[3] |
| Open | 6AM-10PM |
| Plants | 5,000[4] |
| Species | 333[4] |
| Budget | $3.7 million (2015)[3][5] |
| Website | redhillsdesertgarden |
History
editThe 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
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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
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Red Hills Desert Garden 2019 Brochure" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ a b DeMille, David (May 20, 2015). "New park offers to bring visitors closer to nature". The Spectrum. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ a b Eddington, Mark (December 17, 2022). "St. George attraction celebrates Christmas — and water conservation". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Official website". Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ DeMille, David (May 25, 2015). "Dixie Rock: A park with a view". The Spectrum. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ DeMille, David (August 15, 2016). "Desert garden to close because of illegally-introduced fish". The Spectrum. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ Applegate, Julie (August 22, 2016). "No dumping; fish removal begins at Desert Garden". St George News. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ Armstrong, Catherine (February 18, 2021). "Escape To Red Hills Desert Garden For A Beautiful Utah Nature Scene". OnlyInYourState. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ "Red Hills Desert Garden". Hike St George. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ Mee, Brad (July 26, 2022). "Visit These 3 Utah Public Gardens". Salt Lake Magazine. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ Kessler, Mori (February 21, 2022). "'Natural, native landscaping': As calls to conserve water continues, homeowners may want to consider xeriscape". St George News. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ Wilkins, Terell (December 6, 2019). "'Tis the season': Things to do for Christmas in Southern Utah". The Spectrum. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ "Map of the garden" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.