Take a Drive for a Plant Walk

The summer is flying by - shorter days are noticeable, zucchini is too plentiful. What's on your late August agenda? Perhaps a last minute vacation or shopping for back to school. Me ... I'm still waiting for enough tomatoes to ripen to make the first tomato pie of the season.

May I be so bold to suggest that before the leaf raking season unfolds take a drive, then a walk around a public garden of your choice. You'll look back this November and say to yourself..."those few hours last August spent wandering through (fill in the blank from below) were SO worthwhile and genuinely capped the summer season." 

Below are some outstanding and diverse gardens to visit. Many have searchable plant databases and helpful maps online or available in their gift shop.

Aurora Water Wise Garden Free 
Using the erroneous name “zeroscape” to describe a low-water garden consisting only of rocks and poky plants is factually incorrect. The accurate term “xeriscape,” was coined by Denver Water in the early 80’s. It combines “xeros,” Greek for dry, with the word “landscape.” Plants and techniques used for xeriscape landscapes are far from boring. This garden is beautifully displayed and explained at this six-acre city gem in Aurora.  

Betty Ford AlpineGardens Free 
Vail, Colorado 
See what grows well at 8,200 feet, including the mountain perennial garden, children’s garden, alpine rock and tundra gardens, mountain perennial garden and meditation garden. This is a garden that truly reflects mountain beauty in all four seasons, even with deep snow!

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens Free Cheyenne, WY Sure, this garden has the usual plant collections - vegetables, natives, roses, herbs, cacti ... but have you experienced these must see plants growing in one of the toughest climates in the Mountain West? 6100 ft. in elevation, intense sun, frequent wind and hail. The nine acre garden just a hundred mile drive from Denver is worth a visit. Kids and adults love the circular labyrinth and a peek back at how settlers depended on railroads carrying seeds and supplies needed for growing plants and food in Wyoming.  

Colorado State University FlowerTrial Garden Free Fort Collins, Colorado 

View over two acres of new varieties of annuals, perennials, and fall-planted pansies. Check their website for the “best of” winners.

Denver Botanic Gardens (Entrance Fee)
There are four diverse gardens to experience. At the York Street location there are seven major plant collections on 23 acres, plus the newer Mordecai Childrens Garden. At Chatfield Farms, a working farm in southern Jefferson County – enjoy nature trails, wildflower gardens and the Deer Creek Discovery children’s play area. DBG’s fourth garden is located at Mount Goliath, seventeen miles from Idaho Springs. It offers awesome Rocky Mountain views and hikes, ancient bristlecone pines, plus subalpine meadows and tundra. 

Kendrick Lake Garden Photo from lakewood.org

Kendrick Lake Park Free Lakewood, Colorado 
How many great, low water needing plants can fit into a one acre space - the stunning results are in your backyard at Kendrick Lake on West Jewell Ave, just west of S. Garrison Street. Native plant species represent regional areas (biomes) including The Great Plains, Foothills Montane, Alpine and the Great Basin. The 31-acre paved trail around the reservoir is a nice stroll for walkers of all abilities, fishing too!  

Public Gardens in Colorado Spring Free Colorado Springs
The Demonstration Garden showcases All-America Selections, Plant Select plus many other specific plant inspired gardens and a gnome home!
The Heritage Garden and Pinetum are very close to The Demonstration Garden, view more information about all three gardens on the link.  

The Hudson Gardens and Events Center  Free
Thirty acres sounds like it would take an eternity to stroll, but surprisingly this public (free) gem in Littleton is easy to walk, gawk and enjoy in a half day or make a full day of it. Start with your favorite coffee drink at Nixon's Coffee House and don't forget to pack a lunch to enjoy anywhere on the grounds or the picnic sites. 

Open 365 days, check out the many plant specific beautiful gardens - rose, vegetable, dahlia, herb, and water garden with giant water lilies this time of the summer. Take special note of the railroad garden, the wetlands along the Platte River and the honey bee apiary. There's a plant in bloom for everyone. Events (most with fees) at Hudson Gardens include outdoor summer concerts, nature tours and exploring, community classes, yoga and so much more!
 
War Memorial Rose Garden Free
Over 1300 rose varieties grow in this English inspired Victorian Garden in Centennial which dates back to 1946 to honor veterans of World War I and II. Part of the South Suburban Parks and Recreation district, this garden just across the street from Sterne Park is full of color, variety and fragrance galore. Bring a lunch to enjoy in the Linda Campbell gazebo surrounded by spectacular roses and views of the giant sundial and fountain.

MORE if you get a chance!

Butterfly Pavilion Westminster
Chester M. Alter Arboretum University of Denver
Cheyenne Horticultural Field Station (not certain of public access or tours at this time, but if you ever see a tour offered, don't hesitate, go see this historical plant station that launched many Plant Select offerings)
Durango Botanical Society 
Montrose Botanic Gardens
The Arboretum at Regis University Denver
The Gardens on Spring Creek Ft. Collins  
Western Colorado Botanical Gardens Grand Junction
Yampa River Botanic Gardens Steamboat Springs