Albuquerque Garden Center

It is funny how you can drive by a place a million times and never notice it until one day you just read the sign, discovering something brand new to you. I drive up Lomas past the Garden Center all the time but I only recently read the sign and decided to look up what it was. Behind all the trees, there is a little Albuquerque gem. I looked up their website and read all about a plant sale they had going on. I got two cute little plants and was excited to see the space. The actual gardens were closed when I went but I want to go back to check them out. I would also definitely go back for another plant sale, the prices were great and they had some fun stuff to choose from. One note, the parking is terrible when they are super busy. I doubt that they are super busy too often, probably only for events and such but when it is, getting in and out is a huge pain.

My husband and I had our wedding here last year. It was reasonably priced and had a ballroom as well as a smaller room where you could get ready. There are some rules like no bubbles or confetti, but they are all outlined in contract. We had employees there to supervise and help out. Because it was early April and the gardens don't open till mid April we couldn't have the ceremony in the gardens. It turned out to be less expensive. But when it came time for taking pictures, the staff let us and some of our guests take photos in the garden. The gardens are beautiful and well maintained. They made for a beautiful backdrop for our photos. Although it was not open on the weekends, there is a garden shop that sells fun garden themed items. There is a small courtyard in the front which also makes for good pictures. What's interesting is that the building itself doesn't look that special as I would drive past it every day and wouldn't have known about it if wasn't for the sign. It's a great hidden gem in the middle of Albuquerque and was a very nice venue to have a wedding.

This is a cool place. The gardens are very peaceful to just sit and relax. I attended a function inside the building and it is well maintained. It is great place to go to.

The Garden Center is a collective of 16 different gardening clubs from around Albuquerque. They each maintain a small plot.Recently attended a "tour" of the Xeric garden. As this facility is SMALL the "tour" involved us standing in one spot while she pointed. There is a gift shop which sells a variety of garden supplies, from bags of soil and irrigation equipment to gardening books and funny tshirts.I'm not certain what their hours are.Someone was there planning their wedding. She seemed happy, but I believe the comments below about the Garden Center having lots of rules and "recommendations". (What I overheard was the bride wanting a table next to the door so people would sign the guest book first thing and the Garden Center staff member telling her no. A weird thing for the staff to care about.)It's tiny so unless the price is great I can't really imagine having an event here.However, any event that any of the individual clubs have would probably be great. I enjoyed the "tour" guide from the Xeric Society; she was knowledgeable about that individual garden plus general relevant information. It was free, and there were also children's activities going on.

Impressive location I never knew existed. Plan on coming to the plant sale and to walk the garden. Friendly staff and great place to learn garden ideas.

For such a small facility run by the local garden clubs, they definitely packed quite a nice plant palette. Plenty of shade trees around too, which helps for those hot desert summers. Check out their small daylily garden too (which is also very well-labeled), although that portion is not handicap-accessible. The only downside? I just wish the rest of the plants were better-labeled, since I'm still trying to muster my plant-geek vocabulary.The gift shop also has some of nicest garden-related T-shirts I've seen (way better than those at the Los Angeles County Arboretum). They've got alfalfa pellets in there too.

I recently attended Albuquerque Garden Center for a wedding. The garden and the ceremony were both beautiful! The covered porch where the bride and groom said their vows was adorable. The seating area could use more shade (Luckily the ceremony was quick because I was melting), and the bushes on the right side of the porch should be trimmed so as not to impede the view of the people sitting in the right side of the audience. The street Lomas is also directly behind the porch, and it was difficult to hear the ceremony. Luckily only one super loud motorcycle drove by while the minister was talking. This place is a beautiful place for an intimate wedding. However, I strongly feel they should erect something to act as a sound barrier to the traffic on Lomas. Perhaps a wall of some kind??

Tried to have the wedding of my dreams and thought this was the perfect spot. Not so much. Who runs this place? Apparently a bunch of mean folks that don't get it! Pretty setting, put don't for a second think they are about what you want your day to be. They demand you use who they think you should use. Do not listen to any of your thoughts or suggestions. The vendors they wanted me to use were just awful. So disappointing. Please use someone else who is open to your ideas and vendors you want to use!

A lovely garden, which is as picturesque as it is charming. The master gardeners here have done an amazing job creating a beautiful oasis. This a must visit place for family and friends.

Wonderful place for a wedding or anniversary! My daughter got married there and we rented the entire facility. You can decorate as much or as little as you want and you can bring in your own caterer. A local restauranteur holds the liquor permit for this and several city properties but he will supply all personnel and supplies and alcohol, so it is painless. Jus tell him your needs. The caterers' area is ample with four sinks and lots of counter space and is separate from the party room. The large room holds almost 200 and the small room will hold 60. Tables and chairs come with the rental. You can rent all or part of the building. They have a gardening staff that maintains the extensive gardens. Great for an outdoor wedding. There is a small Japanese pavilion perfect for the ceremony. There are extra fees for things like renting the sound system. All tol, a perfect setting for a romantic wedding or great party!