Doing precedent research on existing botanical gardens in the Middle East.
Can anyone point me to a resource or provide names of any notable examples in
this climate?

The Hebrew University has one, but I've never been there so I don't know what
they have.
Also there is a Biblical botanical garden in Israel called Neot Kedumim. It is
a very rich resource, but is in severe financial trouble. You can find both of
these places on the Web.
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)