Nothing says “Colorful Colorado” quite like a field of wildflowers. Thanks to the various elevations in the state, you can see flowers from as early as April and May on the plains to as late as August or even September in the high country.
To experience fresh blooms, you can visit one of the local botanical gardens, hike or bike through a flower field, learn about the Japanese art of flower arranging at an Ikebana – or stay home and enjoy flower delivery in Denver!
Botanical Gardens Around Denver
Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street
Address: 1007 York Street, Denver, CO 80206 (Google maps, garden map)
Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with some exceptions
The Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street has a wide range of collections and gardens on 24 acres. Some of the gardens include:
- Gardens of the West, showcasing plants that thrive in Colorado’s climate
Internationally Inspired Gardens, including plants from China, Japan, South Africa, and the Tropics - Ornamental Gardens, with horticultural favorites like irises, daylilies, and roses
- Shady Gardens, displaying plants that thrive in varying moisture conditions
- Water Gardens, featuring aquatic plants such as lotus, waterlilies, canna, and water platters
Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms
Address: 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128 (Google Maps, garden map)
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with some exceptions
Managed in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms is a 700-acre native plant refuge and working farm located alongside Deer Creek in southern Jefferson County. Featured gardens include:
- Agriculture Past & Present, with Community Supporting Agriculture (CSA) Fields, Market Garden, Mary Washburne Orchard, and more
- Gardens for the West, presenting the best design and gardening techniques
- Deer Creek Natural Area, including the Riparian Demonstration Garden, Kim Sterne Survival Garden, and the Carol Gossard Colorado Native Plant Garden
The Hudson Gardens & Events Center
Address: 6115 South Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120 (Google Maps, garden map)
Hours: Garden is open daily from sunrise to sunset, but the restrooms are only open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Any time of year, you can find something to do at Hudson Gardens’ 30-acre landscape. In the spring and summer, you can see the Rose Garden, Vegetable Garden, River Garden, and more to see a variety of flowers and other plants. Come see the tree leaves change in the fall. And in the winter, do a Bird Walk or experience A Hudson Christmas: Extravaganza of Lights.
Chester M Alter Arboretum
Address: University of Denver Campus (garden map)
Hours: Always open
Located on the University of Denver’s 125-acre campus, the Chester M Alter Arboretum is home to more than 2,000 trees and several thousand woody plants representing more than 400 species as well as nine Champion and Notable trees.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
Address: 522 S Frontage Rd E, Vail, CO 81657 (Google Maps, garden map)
Hours: Gardens open daily from dawn to dusk; Education Center open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At 8,250 feet above sea level in Vail, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is North America’s highest botanical garden. Get a public tour of the Gardens for only $10 from Memorial Day through Labor Day, go on a self-guided tour any time, or go on a guided snowshoe tour on Tuesdays from mid-January through March for only $10 – which includes the cost of snowshoe rental.
Flower Fields Near Denver
Crested Butte
While Crested Butte isn’t exactly near Denver, the annual Crested Butte Wildflower Festival is one of the most notable flower destinations around the world, making it well worth the drive. In fact, Crested Butte is Colorado’s Wildflower Capital.
Love hiking to see flowers off the beaten path? Try Deer Creek Trail’s 6.9-mile (round trip) out-and-back hike; the 4.3-mile (round trip) Brush Creek Trail; or Dark Canyon Trail, a moderate 13.8-mile (one way) route through the Raggeds Wilderness north of Kebler Pass.
Chautauqua Park
Located on the southwest side of Boulder, Chautauqua Park has LOTS of trail options for wildflower enthusiasts of any fitness level. Whether you want a short, easy stroll or an all-day summit hike, you can find it at Chautauqua.
Washington Park
You don’t need to leave the city to walk through flower gardens – Wash Park has two, one of which is a replica of George Washington’s gardens at Mount Vernon. Located at the intersection of Downing and Lousiana, Washington park covers 155 acres, including 2 lakes.
Adams County Sunflower Field
In late spring and early summer, out near DIA, you can find a huge field of happy sunflowers. Take Peña Boulevard to 56th Ave and head 5+ miles past the E-470 exit, then keep your eyes out – and your hands off. This field isn’t on public property, so take nothing but some stunning pics.
Roxborough State Park
Just a little south of Chatfield, you’ll find an abundance of wildflowers at Roxborough State Park. The Willow Creek Trail is a short, gentle 1.4-mile loop for an easy hike to see the blooms. Note that pets, mountain bikes, and horses are not allowed.
Rocky Mountain National Park
How could we leave off Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the country? With such a large park – 415 square miles – you’ll find a spectacular range of mountain environments and a huge variety of wildflowers.
When it’s too cold outside to catch beautiful blooms, you can always have flowers delivered tomorrow!
Ikebana in Denver
Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America Colorado Chapter
Ikenobo is the oldest and largest Ikebana school. It started in 1462 and currently has more than 4.5 million members around the world. While the headquarters is located in Kyoto, Japan, the local Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America Colorado Chapter has been in the state since 1968. Members of the Official Colorado Ikenobo Chapter have access to in-person workshops, Zoom sessions, video lectures, and more to learn ancient Japanese techniques for flower arrangements.
Sogetsu Colorado Branch
Founded in 1986, Sugetsu Colorado Branch is one of the largest branches in the country and has students, teachers, and practitioners across the Denver Metro Area, Broomfield, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to promoting the study and appreciation of Sogetsu style ikebana. They have several teachers offering classes across the Front Range.
Want to practice at home? You can get flower delivery in Boulder and all across the Centennial State!
Shop All
