Flower Power in Fort Collins, a Visit to The Gardens on Spring Creek

Last week I was invited to Fort Collins to be on a tourism panel. Happily, the event was held at The Gardens on Spring Creek, a place I’ve wanted to visit for some time now.

The gardens were established in 2004 when Ft. Collins voters supported a proposal to create a community horticultural center. More recently, an expansion of the gardens has been approved which will add a permanent Butterfly House and a concert venue that will accommodate 1500. You can see an artist’s rendering of the plan at The Gardens on Spring Creek.

I toured the garden on a warm afternoon and headed straight for the Rock Garden, which is inspirational for anyone who lives in Colorado because it’s filled with plants that grow well in our arid climate. On my visit, dozens of Columbines were stretched out towards the sun and the garden popped with the colors of the rainbow.

I circled through the Garden of Eaten which was just starting to get underway in May. This three-acre edible garden is an unusual addition to a botanical garden, but this is Fort Collins, a community that strives to be eco-friendly in every way.

The Gardens on Spring Creek is committed to promoting sustainable horticulture and the Garden of Eaten is a great way to demonstrate how a homeowner can grow their own food.

I worked my way through the Sustainable Backyard Garden located behind the main building and then entered the Children’s Garden, a magical place that’s not just for kids. I really loved this space, especially the green roof shelter and the large water feature.

Art is strategically placed throughout The Gardens on Spring Creek. These statues, some traditional and others quite quirky, are the perfect compliment to the landscaping of this special place.  

Over the years, the gardens have become a place for learning and act as a community hub for events such as yoga, wine tastings, holiday gatherings and more.

The Gardens on Spring Creek are located just south of the Colorado State University main campus. Admission is a suggested donation of $5 per adult and $2 for children. If you’re interested in putting together a group tour, visit here.