Desert Botanical Festival Blooms Once Again

The Living Desert hosted the second annual Xerophilous: A Desert Botanical Festival on Saturday. The event celebrated the beauty and resilience of desert plants. Guests enjoyed guided tours of the zoo’s 52 diverse gardens. Botanical experts gave engaging talks throughout the day. A California native plant sale drew gardeners and nature lovers alike. Attendees could purchase plants uniquely adapted to desert climates. The festival encouraged deeper appreciation for desert flora. One highlight was learning that more plants than animals thrive in these harsh environments. The event emphasized that desert plants live independently and thrive on their own terms. This year’s theme spotlighted the deserts of the Americas. It offered attendees a global perspective on arid ecosystems. Organizers say the festival successfully blended education, conservation, and community fun.