Mary Irish is a prominent voice in Southwestern Horticulture as well as a respected horticultural photographer. Mary received her master's degree in geography from Texas A&M University, is the former director of public horticulture at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, and has written extensively on dry-climate gardening. She coauthored Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants with her husband, Gary Irish. A Texas native, Mary grew up on a farm outside Austin where she raised farm animals and tended a large vegetable garden. In 1985 Mary and her husband Gary, moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Before long she began working as a volunteer at the Desert Botanical Garden where she developed a passion for the study and cultivation of desert plants. Her infectious enthusiasm and dedication to her work soon earned her a full-time position at the Desert Botanical Garden. Eventually she became the Director of Public Horticulture, a post held until 1999 when she resigned.

Mary is a regular contributor to several magazines, including Sunset, and teaches classes on the care and culture of agaves, cacti, and other desert shrubs and perennials. Mary also teaches introductory classes for beginning gardeners. Some of her favorite topics include dry climate gardening, vegetable gardening, and desert shrubs and cacti. Mary once hosted a weekly Phoenix-based radio show called "The Arizona Gardener." She has appeared on countless news and lifestyle programs on television regarding desert gardening, including an appearance on Martha Stewart Living. She has also helped produce several television programs about gardening. Mary and her husband Gary tend their own arid garden in Scottsdale, Arizona.Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? View Mary Irish's profile at the Timber Press speakers bureau.

Awards for Mary Irish *Arizona Municipal Water Users Association Xeriscape Award of Special Recognition.