Feast Your Eyes on Local Flower Gardens

Granted, Burbank was a famous horticulturist, and he was a little biased. But many amateur gardeners in Northern Colorado who dig in the soil after work or on the weekends will agree that growing flowers – or shrubs or trees – is a welcome relief from their daily duties on the job.

So, how do you get started turning your backyard dirt – or garden pots – into beautiful blossoms or a delicate xeriscape?

Fortunately, you don’t need to guess about what grows well in our semi-arid climate. There are multiple trial gardens and botanical displays around the region – generally open to the public during daylight hours – that will give you a good idea about what can flourish in these parts. In Fort Collins, you can explore Colorado State University’s Annual Flower Trial Garden,1401 Remington St., or the Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave. (Note: the Gardens on Spring Creek charges for entry).

In Loveland, the High Plains Environmental Center at Centerra includes a Native Plant Nursery. The Northern Water Demonstration Garden in Berthoud, the Treasure Island Demonstration Garden in Windsor, and the Greeley Xeriscape Garden in Greeley, are all opportunities to take your first step into gardening – or to simply take in the fragrance and the finesse of a flower bed.

When you’re done touring the trial gardens, you may be ready to make gardening an after-work activity of your own. And might just find yourself agreeing with Oscar de la Renta, the famous fashion designer, who said “Gardening is how I relax. It’s another form of creating and playing with colors.”