May Arboretum

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  The Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a living museum. Located in a transitional zone between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Great Basin Desert, it is challenged by a hash arid climate. The garden has an average annual precipitation of 7 inches and a short growing season of less than 120 days.

At an elevation of 4,600 feet, the gardens' daily temperatures can fluctuate 50 degrees or more in a day. Only native plants and adaptive plant species can survive these conditions without additional care and maintenance. The garden's primary purpose is for education and research and to demonstrate how introduced plant species and native plants grow in a high desert environment. The arboretum encompasses 12 acres that includes groves of trees, outdoor courtyards, water feature,  secluded gardens and a wetland area. To find out what's blooming and about fall color click on, "More about the May Arboretum."

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Wilbur D. May Center at
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
1595 N. Sierra,
Reno, Nevada U.S.A.
(775) 785-5961 Fax (775) 785-4707