Public Xeriscape Gardens in Colorado

“Centennial Gardens knits together traditional formal French garden design with a Colorado plant palette that requires little water.” 5 acres.

Established in 1983, this is the oldest Xeriscape demonstration garden in the United States. There are over 200 plant species from ground covers up to trees and several types of turf on display. 2/3 acre.

The Spanish courtyard garden on the south side of the building honors the influence of Spain and Mexico on our Western culture. This garden showcases herbal plants such as thyme, lavender and santolina, natives of the Mediterranean region.

On the south side of the building, this southwest-inspired garden takes notes from Western Slope chaparrals. Massed colonies of shrubs along the Front Range piedmont and Western Slope plateaus form islands called chaparrals among the dominant grasses and flowering plants.

On the Southwest side of the building. On the Great Plains, there are low spots called swales that collect water during periodic rains, but dry out thoroughly in between. In this manmade swale, water from the roof of the Recreation Center is directed into the garden during cloudbursts and after snowmelt. Tall prairie grasses like little bluestem and panic grass are found here, along with a rich palette of perennials and bulbs that provide color and interest through the gardening year.

The garden faces Bannock Street between 14th Avenue and Colfax Avenue. This garden features a traditional Victorian knot pattern of colorful red, orange, yellow and blue blossoms. Water-smart perennials from the Plant Select® program of the Denver Botanic Gardens and Colorado State University can be found here.

The garden is a composite of many low water mini gardens, about 1 acre.

Half-acre xeriscape demonstration gardens at this plant nursery are open during regular business hours.

An education and research center with demonstration plots set on two acres.

10 package gardens from the Beautiful By design brochures, and 4 specialty gardens. Contains 9 varieties of turf and over 350 varieties of perennials, shrubs, and trees.

A collection of gardens, including xeriscape gardens, cacti/succulent garden, rose garden, arboretum, and ornamental grass garden.

A selection of xeric perennials, grasses, trees and shrubs, plus thirty plots of different turf grasses.

The 0.3-acre garden is designed with three water use zones: very low, low and moderate.

Brought to you by Colorado Springs Utilities

Brought to you by Colorado Springs Utilities