There is a quiet magic in the way nature speaks to us, how it whispers in colors, textures, and shapes, captivating our senses with its simple yet profound beauty. The Red Hills Desert Garden in St. George, Utah, is one such place—where the arid landscape of the Mojave Desert blossoms with life in a symphony of resilience and grace. Here, amidst the rugged beauty of the desert, nature reveals its secrets, showing how life can thrive in the most unexpected of places.
I had often thought of visiting, passing by on countless trips to the St. George area, but it wasn’t until a “girls’ trip” with my two sisters that I finally made my way there. It felt like fate. The garden, with its serene yet vibrant charm, was the perfect setting for a gathering of kindred spirits—my sisters and I, all of us united by a shared love of tending to the earth. Perhaps it’s in our blood; after all, our grandparents’ garden once graced the local news, and our mother is a master gardener, as is one of my sisters.
As we wandered through the garden, I found that it was my sister from Arizona who benefited the most, for she lives in a climate much like that of St. George—dry, sun-drenched, and full of life that has learned to endure. While many of these desert blooms would never survive in my own garden, I couldn’t help but marvel at their beauty—each plant a testament to the power of adaptation and strength. The bright green bark of certain trees, almost luminous against the dusty backdrop, was particularly striking. And the Birds of Paradise—those glorious, extravagant flowers in shades of purple and pink—were like a burst of joy amidst the earth tones of the desert.
Located at the crossroads of Red Hills Parkway and Red Cliffs Drive, the Red Hills Desert Garden spreads out over five acres—a testament to nature’s ability to create an oasis where it’s least expected. This haven, born from the collaboration between the City of St. George and the Virgin River Program, stands as a beacon of water conservation and education, inviting us all to deepen our understanding of the desert’s unique ecology. Since its opening in 2015, the garden has quickly become a beloved retreat, drawing visitors from near and far to witness the desert’s quiet miracle of life.
The Red Hills Desert Garden Showcases Desert Plants
here is something quietly mesmerizing about the way the desert thrives, its plants standing as silent sentinels of endurance and grace. At the heart of the Red Hills Desert Garden, this story is told through the delicate yet resilient lives of over 250 species of desert plants—cacti, succulents, shrubs, and trees—all carefully chosen to capture the diverse beauty of the Mojave Desert’s flora. Each plant, a testament to nature’s brilliance, tells its own tale of survival, of adapting to a world that is both unforgiving and breathtaking.
As you wander along the winding pathways of the garden, there is a kind of reverence that grows with each step. The plants, in all their quiet beauty, seem to beckon you closer—inviting you to appreciate the elegance of their unique shapes, the boldness of their colors, and the textured contrasts that adorn them like natural works of art. It is a peaceful, almost meditative experience as you move through this desert tapestry, marveling at how life has learned to thrive in such a harsh and arid world. Each corner of the garden reveals another marvel, each plant an eloquent reminder of the desert’s gentle, yet unyielding, power.
Yucca
Cacti
A quiet yet powerful lesson unfolds at the heart of the Red Hills Desert Garden, where water becomes both the lifeblood and the muse for a landscape of stunning ingenuity. Here, the delicate balance between beauty and sustainability is struck with grace, as the garden showcases water-efficient landscaping techniques that speak to the heart of conservation in arid lands. The use of xeriscaping—where drought-tolerant plants flourish with minimal water—stands as a reminder that life can thrive with the gentlest touch.
Rainwater harvesting, too, is a silent hero here, capturing the precious gift of rain and storing it for later use, ensuring the garden’s vibrancy without wasting a drop. These practices, thoughtfully woven throughout the garden, serve not only as a testament to the desert’s resilience but also as an invitation to learn. Visitors are gently encouraged to reflect on the value of water, that most precious and limited resource, and to leave with a deeper understanding of how every drop can make a difference. The garden, in its quiet wisdom, teaches us that even in the driest places, life can bloom—if we care for it with intention and respect.
Bird of Paradise
Though I wasn’t able to capture it in a photograph, the water features at the Red Hills Desert Garden are as much a part of its charm as its breathtaking flora. Dotted throughout the landscape, small ponds, meandering streams, and gentle waterfalls weave a symphony of sound that adds to the garden’s tranquility. These serene oases create a soothing atmosphere, drawing in wildlife—birds flit through the air, and insects dance over the water’s surface, each finding refuge in this delicate ecosystem.
These water features are more than just a visual delight; they are a poignant reminder of the fragile balance that exists between water and life in the desert. In this arid land, every drop is cherished, and every ripple in the water speaks to the preciousness of this resource. They quietly whisper the lesson that, even in the driest places, water is both a gift and a lifeline.
Spanning five acres at the intersection of Red Hills Parkway and Red Cliffs Drive, the garden is a collaboration between the City of St. George and the Virgin River Program, with a mission to foster water conservation and to educate visitors about the unique ecology of the desert. Since its opening in 2015, the garden has quickly become a beloved destination, drawing both tourists and locals to experience the serenity and the lessons of this beautiful desert haven.
Prickly Pear Cactus
Dinosaur Tracks
Barrel Cactus
Prickly Pear Cactus
Thread Agave
Parkinsonia Aculeata
Accessibility
All the walking paths were wheelchair accessible. There are a few bridges that are not, but they are not required as there are alternate paths to the same destination.
Red Hills Deseret Garden Address
375 Red Hills Pkwy.
St. George, UT 84770]
Hours
Open daily, 6:00am – 10:00pm
Cost
Admission is free.
Additional Information
Dogs allowed on leash. Please be respectful and cleanup after them.
Website
About the Author
Leisa Watkins
Leisa Watkins is the founder of Cultivate An Exceptional Life, and her mission is to empower individuals, particularly those with chronic illness, to live a life full of joy, abundance, and purpose. She believes that despite life’s challenges, it is possible to break through barriers and create a life you love. With a focus on supporting those facing chronic health issues, Leisa helps people navigate roadblocks and find strategies to thrive. She shares practical tips on overcoming obstacles and getting more out of life through her Instagram channel. Join us as we embark on a journey to cultivate an exceptional life, no matter the circumstances.
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