Once established, it took time, often years, before a mission had all its components.  However, given the necessary time and money, it was certain that its missionary would see to the construction of a church, with workshops and classrooms surrounding a courtyard.  One component, universally located in the courtyard, that provided a place for quiet reflection was the mission fountain, surrounded by a fruit and herb garden.

Although this is not the original garden at Tumacácori, it is a carefully engineered replica of mission gardens everywhere.  Other than the section of native plants of the Sonoran Desert, the vegetation growing here represents plants introduced to this area by the Padres.  There are many herb specimens, such as rosemary, thyme, and myrtle.  Fruit trees include apricot, olive, pomegranate, and monk’s pepper.  These trees were all introduced by the National Park Service when this garden was built in 1937 as part of the visitor center.  However, next to the east wall is a fig tree that is a descendant of one of the original fig trees first brought to Tumacácori by Father Kino.

Although the mission garden is similar to most California missions, it differs because of its informality, i.e. curved layout of the path and planting beds. Typically, mission courtyards had symmetrical layouts with four straight paths intersecting at a central fountain.  In contrast, the fountain of the Tumacácori courtyard is off-center to the southeast side.  There are only three paths leading to it, and while the main path from the building to the fountain is straight and bisects the space, the two side paths are curved as they progress from the perimeter to the fountain.  In addition, and contributing to the sense of informality, is the changing elevation and the related curved retaining wall at the eastern end of the courtyard.

The Tumacácori Visitor Center courtyard provides an opportunity to enhance visitor understanding of the importance of plants in mission activities, including their uses for medicinal, symbolic/religious, and ornamental purposes, as well as for food, fiber for clothing, and shelter.  As early as 1938, Frank Pinkley, General Superintendent of the Southwestern Monuments, identified an interpretive role for the courtyard.  He explored the possibility of public education through the use of native and early mission plant materials creating what he referred to as an "ideal Spanish garden."

During the early mission life of Tumacácori and other missions within the Southwest, courtyards served as a refuge for mission livestock during Indian raids.  A few potted plants were probably all that existed until such time as Indian hostilities ceased.  However, by the early twentieth century, after the threat of Indian attacks had receded, mission courtyards in Arizona and California were found to exhibit a common style, one that illustrated a transition from utilitarian spaces to ornamental spaces.  Variations among these courtyards were minor.  These walled gardens frequently included use of a central water feature with plantings that were used for ornamentation as well as sustenance.

Prentice Duell, a trader who visited the Tumacácori mission in 1919 described the walled area that then existed to the east of the Tumacácori church as having, "...full grown fruit trees...peaches, pomegranates, quinces, etc...Oriental appearance with white dome and deep green trees...gave an Asiatic effect.  The high garden walls and beautiful baths still in as perfect a state as when left...Tumacácori was more fortunate than its neighbor to the north, San Xavier del Bac, and must have possessed a beautiful garden.  Evidence of an irrigation system and partial garden wall was visible."

Early travelers through the area commented on supplementing their food supply from the more than fifty peach trees in the Tumacácori mission garden. Many mentioned unharvested fruit and seeds littering the ground.

The beginnings of ornamental horticulture in the Sonoran Desert of the southwest can be traced to the Spanish missionaries.  While production of food probably was the primary horticultural aim of the missionaries, the mission garden is believed to have been more extensive in its variety of plants than most imagine.  The amenity value of plants was not overlooked.  The pepper tree, castor bean, Mexican fan palm, and date palm were familiar sights providing shade in mission gardens in Southern California and Arizona.  Eventually flowers were planted in the courtyard gardens.  References to ornamental flowers include species such as oleander, carnation, nasturtium, four o'clock, jasmine, lavender, pennyroyal, Castillian rose, musk rose, sweet pea, portulaca, marigold, calla lily, madonna lily, poppy, violets, jonquils, and wallflowers.  Southwestern missions displayed a variety of species for a wide range of uses at various periods of time.  Both exotic and native plants were used, and the value of plants for functional as well as aesthetic purposes was a significant consideration in the development of mission gardens.

After more than sixty years of use, the garden or courtyard is currently in a transition phase due to the age of many of the plants, the sprinkling system, and general changes which need to be updated.

The Landscape Architecture Program, School of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona, has been working with the Tumacacori staff to create a phased design concept for the Visitor Center courtyard which can be implemented as funding becomes available.

The design concept for the Tumacacori Visitor Center courtyard is based on the creation of a pleasing display of plant materials that were probably used in mission life in the southwest.  Visitors will be able to learn about these plants and their historical uses within the relaxed setting of this cool and beautiful garden.

The design proposal is presented as three incremental phases which can be implemented as funding becomes available.  These phases build upon one another taking into consideration the important objective for gradual removal of inappropriate plant materials - a process which has already begun.  This can provide a graceful transition period that will retain the garden's mature quality as the installation progresses.