Do you know the saying “April showers bring May flowers”? Well, I am happy to report that May and all of its promised glory are just around the corner… and what better way to celebrate this colorful time of year than by visiting a fragrant garden or two? If you are looking to get your garden fix, be sure to check out some of the best hidden gardens in Colorado (even if some of them are not-so-hidden).

1. Andrews Arboretum (Boulder)

Andrews Arboretum, 1560 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
Daderot at the English-language Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons
Though it may be small, the Andrews Arboretum in Boulder is memorable nonetheless with its gorgeous collection of exotic and evergreen trees.

If you are looking for another place to enjoy wildflowers in Colorado, head to Hanging Lake. Check out the beautiful Hanging Lake Trail in this video:

2. Tagawa Gardens (Centennial)

Tagawa Gardens, 7711 S Parker Rd, Centennial, CO 80016, USA
Tagawa Gardens / Facebook
Tagawa Gardens ain't your mamma's garden shop! In addition to flowers, plants, and shrubbery for sale, Tagawa offers stunning gardens to stroll through, various classes, and other hands-on activities.

3. Montrose Botanic Gardens (Montrose)

Montrose Botanic Gardens, 1800 Pavilion Dr, Montrose, CO 81401, USA
Montrose Botanic Gardens / Facebook
The award-winning, non-profit Montrose Botanical Society, which was established in 1995, planted these incredible blooms as a way to educate the Uncompahgre Valley about horticulture.

4. Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver)

Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206, USA
Denver Botanic Gardens / Facebook
Quite possibly the most tranquil spot (with the most recognizable garden) in the Mile High City, the Botanic Gardens in Denver are home to 24 acres of flourishing gardens, special events, and concerts. (P.S. If you think they look spectacular in the spring, wait until you see them all lit up at Christmas!)

5. Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory (Denver)

Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, 1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206, USA
Daderot via Wikimedia Commons
Located inside of the Denver Botanic Gardens is the unique Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, which houses more than 85,000 square feet of tropical plants and flowers. Word to the wise: Bring a water bottle when you visit, because it gets HUMID under the dome.

6. The Gardens on Spring Creek (Fort Collins)

The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
Friends of The Gardens on Spring Creek / Facebook
Since 1986, Northern Colorado's favorite spot for beautiful blooms and fragrant scents has been The Gardens on Spring Creek. Plan to stay awhile. There are nearly 10 different gardens to explore.

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7. Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)

Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, USA
lightphoto / iStock via Getty Images Plus
It's not your typical garden per se, but the Garden of the Gods are a unique and historic landmark that deserves to be experienced.

Check out even more beautiful places in Colorado in this video from OnlyInYourState:

8. Western Colorado Botanical Gardens (Grand Junction)

Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, 655 Struthers Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501, USA
Western Colorado Botanical Gardens / Facebook
Alright western slopers; this one is for you: the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens feature more than 12 acres of stunning gardens and butterflies. (Fun fact: the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens sit in the same spot that used to house tires, batteries, and junked cars.)

9. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (Vail)

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, 522 S Frontage Rd E, Vail, CO 81657, USA
Diyan Yordanov via Wikimedia Commons
This stunning mountainside attraction, which was named for--you guessed it--former First Lady Betty Ford, boasts six presentation gardens, including Schoolhouse, Children's, Alpine Tundra, Mountain Perennial, Mountain Meditation and Alpine Rock.

10. Chester M Alter Arboretum (Denver)

Chester M Alter Arboretum, 2199 S University Blvd, Denver, CO 80208, USA
Chester M Alter Arboretum
Housed and maintained by the University of Denver, the Chester M Alter Arboretum is made up of more than 2,200 trees and shrubs.

11. Yampa River Botanic Park (Steamboat Springs)

Yampa River Botanic Park, 1000 Pamela Ln, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487, USA
Yampa River Botanic Park / Facebook
The Yampa River valley just became even more beautiful thanks to the lovely 6-acre Yampa River Botanic Park and its 50 unique gardens.

12. Hudson Gardens (Littleton)

The Hudson Gardens & Event Center, 6115 S Santa Fe Dr, Littleton, CO 80120, USA
The Hudson Gardens & Event Center / Facebook
With thousands of stunning flowers, varying habitats, and ponds like these, it's no wonder so many choose to host their wedding or other special event at the Hudson Gardens.

Mesa Verde National Park is another of our favorite places to go on a spring hike in Colorado. The Pueblo Cliff Dwellings are fascinating too. Learn more in this video:

Do you know of any hidden gardens in Colorado? Share one of your favorite places to enjoy spring flowers in Colorado with us in the comments.

Then, check out one of the most colorful festivals in Colorado – the Canon City Music & Blossom Festival!

Enjoy The Most Colorful Spring Festival In Colorado At The Canon City Music and Blossom Festival

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More to Explore

Gardens In Colorado

Chris Muras | March 14, 2024

What are some of the best gardens in Colorado?
Whether you are looking for a fun new U-pick flower farm or a beautiful botanical garden, we have got you covered with hidden gardens near you in Colorado. Here are a few of the best gardens in Colorado to spend a warm spring day:

  • Three Leaf Farm, Lafayette, CO: This is a delightful family-owned 10-acre farm that supplies organic produce to restaurants all over the country. Its bounty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and even honey are the secret ingredients in many of our favorite dishes. One special area of the farm is the Medicine Walk - a fun herb garden you can visit and learn about during the annual Botanical Festival in June.
  • Garden Park Fossil Area, Cannon City, CO: This garden of a different sort dates back to pre-historic times. It may not have a bounty of fresh flowers, (although, in the spring you are sure to spot some wildflowers) but this 3,209-acre "garden" has been home to dinosaur bones and fossils of all kinds for ages. The first ever Stegosaurus bones were discovered here, along with many other dinosaur bone firsts.
  • Little Seed Flower Farm, Johnstown, CO: One of our favorite places to pick fresh flowers is at this special U-pick farm in Johnstown. If you want to brighten up your home with stunning peonies, roses, daisies, tulips, and many more varieties of flowers, make sure you plan a trip to the fun family farm. They even offer classes on how to make the perfect flower arrangement for any occasion. Oh, and keep an eye out for the homemade pies at the Buttermilk Bakery and Pie Shop which is often on-site on U-pick days.

Gardens in Colorado aren't the only places to enjoy flowers in the spring and summer. One of our favorite places to enjoy wildflowers is on a good hiking trail. While you can't pick them, it is still a wonderful scenic sight to see a field full of wildflowers as you hike. Find your next favorite trail on AllTrails+.

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