Botanical Gardens In Western Colorado Delight, Teach + Inspire
Todd Winslow Pierce/Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
Strolling through Western Colorado’s various botanical gardens is a lovely way to experience nature and view both native and exotic plant species. Many botanical gardens offer free admission, although donations are welcome to these largely volunteer-run labors of love.
DURANGO BOTANIC GARDENS
The Durango Botanic Gardens (DBG) began in 2010 when a local master gardener transformed a weed-infested patch of ground behind the Durango Public Library into a demonstration garden. Rose, crevice, wind and grass gardens now grow along the east and north sides of the library, as well. A new “literary” garden will be added in coming months.
“The premise is to demonstrate the impact of nature and gardens and how they influenced writers,” explains Bill LeMaire, DBG president. There will be signage with links to book lists and authors.
Located at 1900 E. Third Ave., the Durango Botanic Gardens is open to visitors any time. Volunteers maintain the gardens on Saturday mornings when there are usually docents available to give tours. Group tours are also welcome and can be arranged by calling 970.880.4841 or email durangobotanic@gmail.com.
MONTROSE BOTANIC GARDENS
The Montrose Botanic Gardens is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. These well established gardens include cacti, xeriscape, ornamental and native grasses, lilac, rose and a sensory garden designed to stimulate the five senses.
In the “Happy Hollow” area there’s a children’s garden where families celebrate September’s Pizza Harvest. During this event children pick, wash and cut veggies to make pizzas cooked on a barbecue grill in cast-iron skillets. The Scarecrow Festival in October is another popular event.
Small concerts, workshops and weddings also take place at the gardens, located at 1800 Pavilion Drive on the south side of the Pavilion Events Center in Montrose.
“We have a 10-million-dollar view of the San Juan Mountains,” says Lorraine Shide, president of the Montrose Botanical Society, the group in charge of the gardens. “It’s absolutely breathtaking.”
Montrose Botanic Gardens is free and open daily from dawn to dusk.
LaBree Shide/Montrose Botanic Gardens
WESTERN COLORADO BOTANICAL GARDENS
The Western Colorado Botanical Gardens (WCBG) is located at 655 Struthers Ave. in Grand Junction just north of the Colorado Riverfront Trail.
Here you’ll find a spectacular cactus and succulent garden, a Japanese garden, a rose garden and the Heritage Garden — a collection of antique artifacts from the Grand Valley’s pioneer era.
The WCBG also includes a tropical greenhouse and Butterfly House, where new batches of chrysalises arrive every other week, which visitors can watch hatch if they’re lucky.
Current hours are Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment. Cost of admission is $5 for adults; seniors / students / military / children 12 and older $4; children 3-11 $3, and children under 3 are free. The WCBG participates in a reciprocal admission program which allows admission to more than 300 botanical gardens across the United States.
YAMPA RIVER BOTANIC PARK
One of Steamboat Springs’ top summer attractions is the Yampa River Botanic Park (YRBP), highlighting native plants that grow at 6,800-feet elevation. Most are labeled with both their scientific and common names. You’ll also find sculptures located throughout the park.
Free guided walking tours are led by YRBP board members and volunteers, where you can learn about the park’s history and the plants that thrive there. Participants are limited to 10 per tour and you must preregister. Walk-ups are welcome if space is available. Tours begin at 10 a.m.
Located at 1000 Pamela Lane in Steamboat, the park is free and open to the public from early May through the end of October.
Check the website’s calendar for summer music festivals, yoga classes and other events. The venue can also be rented for weddings.
BETTY FORD ALPINE GARDENS
Colorado alpine plants, a large rock garden, Rocky Mountain native plants and a collection of garden alpine plants from around the world grow at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (BFAG) in Vail. Open from dawn to dusk, the gardens are located within the 20-acre Ford Park, 522 S. Frontage Road. Admission is a suggested donation of $5.
Guided snowshoe tours are available in the park — as well as self-guided tours — during the winter.
The Education Center is open daily, year-round from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with information about the alpine environment, as well as art exhibits.
A current climate change themed exhibit will be up through October outdoors, and through November indoors. “We chose plants related to solutions for reversing climate change,” explains BFAG executive director Nicola Ritley. The upcoming Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists exhibit “From Platte to Peak” runs November 2021 through April 2022.
Ritley said the BFAG recently published a “stunning” coffee table book about the various seasons, why the alpine environment is so important and the conservation work that is being done at the site to preserve the alpine environment.
bettyfordalpinegardens.org/visit
Originally published in the Fall 2021 issue of Spoke+Blossom