Rock Garden

Year Opened: 2011
Garden Designers: Kirk Fieseler and Maddy Weisz; plantings redesigned by Bryan Fischer

The Rock Garden is among our most intensively curated garden spaces, designed and cared for to capitalize on the microclimates and aesthetic interest provided by its warm-toned boulders. This space is a showcase for all kinds of plants, but places special emphasis on smaller plants that could easily be overgrown in other garden spaces. Plants suitable to our climate and soils are emphasized, especially those originating in steppe, high-altitude, and Mediterranean environments. The Rock Garden balances a collection of regional staples, classics, and regional specialties with more unusual plant material in a naturalistic style. This garden also serves as a trial ground for plants new to cultivation in our region and those that require unique garden conditions to thrive.

Featuring:

160 tons of Dakota sandstone and native soil comprising six berms across nearly half an acre
A unique and naturalistic garden featuring regionally native plants as well as many adapted plants suited to local growing conditions
Numerous plants not often seen in regional gardens
Collection of dwarf conifers emphasizing work of Kirk Fieseler at Laporte Avenue Nursery
Largest public rock garden in Northern Colorado
Specialty bulbs from spring to fall