Secret Garden in Colorado Springs

There are many attractions that draw people from all over the world to visit Colorado Springs, Colorado. These include the Air Force Academy, the Olympic Training Center, Garden of the Gods park, and Pikes Peak to name just a few. However, there is a peaceful little known place that very few tourists have a chance to visit but definitely should not miss.

This "secret garden" is actually the Demonstration Gardens, a project of the Horticultural Art Society, a nonprofit organization whose membership is open to both amateur and professional horticulturists and all those with an interest in gardening. This beautiful garden is located in Monument Valley Park at the corner of Cache La Poudre Street and Mesa Avenue near downtown Colorado Springs.

Upon entering the garden, you will find yourself almost in another time and place, leaving the city behind. There are winding pathways surrounding five formal perennial beds with mixed shrub borders. There are three circular beds including a rose garden, a xeriscape garden and the Green and White bed which contains shade-loving plants and a birdbath to delight the local birds. Some of these plantings include hosta, bleeding heart, ajuga, and the ostrich fern. Another bed includes Firewitch dianthus, mesa verde spruce, blackeyed Susan, culvers root, coneflower, tickweed sunray, frosty morn sedom and the lovely orange caper.

This little garden with its meandering trail is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature, perhaps in between other sightseeing stops. There are many benches on which to sit and rest along with several picnic tables. This would be a great place to enjoy your lunch and soak in the sounds and sights of nature.

A unique feature of the Demonstration Garden is the Heirloom Vegetable Garden. An heirloom garden strives to preserve open-pollinated plants that are over 50 years old. These open-pollinated plants will reproduce and look and grow precisely like the parent plant, in contrast to hybrid plants which are produced by crossing species to produce new species. The Heirloom Vegetable Garden has lots of surprises to discover including yellow squash blossoms, acorn squash, and many herbs.

In addition, there is a lovely Fragrance Garden for the Handicapped. One can experience this garden simply by using the pathway and enjoying the plants which are at a low level compatible with a wheelchair level. There is also a visitor center nearby for educational purposes. So the next time you are in Colorado Springs, be sure to visit the Demonstration Gardens at Monument Valley Park. It is a peaceful, fragrant escape that you will long remember.