The Durango Botanic Gardens consist of a series of public gardens, free and open to the public, that include the Library Demonstration Garden, The Crevice Gardens Along the Trail, and the Arboreta Along the Trail. The Arboreta includes the Gabbro Miniature Conifer Garden, the Cindy Smart Miniature Tree Garden, and the Arboretum (larger tree specimens). Also note the contributions of two allied organizations, the Mountain Thyme Herb Society’s Working Sundial and Thyme Garden as well as the Rosie the Riveter Rose Garden.

Our gardens are designed, developed, and maintained by the Durango Botanic Gardens, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organized for the purpose of demonstrating sound horticultural practice and education as well as expanding the horticultural palate of gardeners in La Plata County and beyond. Some plants, trees, and flora thrive here and others do not. We are dedicated to sharing our learnings with the public so they can choose plants and trees that are proven winners and beneficial to our southwest Colorado location, which although beautiful and majestic, can also prove challenging to gardening.

We are continually evolving. Our current major garden project is the Literary Garden to the west of the library. This garden will marry flowers, trees, and plants with themes and authors in literature. This project will recognize our partnership with the library and our philosophy that together, libraries and gardens create their own kind of magic.