Durango BOtanic Gardens

Building Public Gardens For Demonstration, Education, and Inspiration

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Our Award-Winning Gardens

At left, DBG volunteers practice bare- root planting in our nationally recognized Crevice Garden. Durango will be host to the annual National Rock Garden Society's annual meeting in June, 2021.

The Durango Botanic Gardens are honored to be a Plant Select® Demonstration Garden and test facility. Begun in 1997, the Plant Select® program seeks to identify and promote plants that are best suited to gardens located in the high plains and the mountains of Colorado. Each year plants are tested and evaluated to see if they measure up to the standards of Plant Select®. Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens, and members of the green industry (greenhouses, landscape companies, and nurseries) work cooperatively on this program. Water-efficient, garden smart plants that have proven they are uniquely adapted to the Rocky Mountain region are introduced annually and sold with the Plant Select® label, often in special displays at garden centers.
To be chosen as a Plant Select® Demonstration Garden, it is the mission of a chosen garden to encourage regionally appropriate gardening, increase awareness of Plant Select plants, and maintain a well-planned educational program. In 2014, the Durango Botanic Gardens were celebrated by Plant Select with its Showcase Garden Award for our work toward the education and promotion of the missions and goals of Plant Select^®.
^{City of Durango 2019 Arbor Day Distinction}
Durango Botanic Gardens' President, John Anderson, received an "Outstanding Service" award from the City of Durango at its 39th Annual Arbor Day Celebration on April 19, 2019. The award recognizes Anderson, in his role as president of DBG, for contributing to the growth of Durango's "Urban Forest." The Durango Botanic Gardens develops and maintains public gardens around the Durango Public Library at 1900 East Third Avenue, Durango, CO.

2016 Golden Shovel Award

Plant Select^® partners with 65 public gardens across the Rocky Mountain region to display plants that flourish in our region and provide education opportunities to homeowners and professionals alike. The Golden Shovel award recognizes a Demonstration Garden partner exhibiting superior design, care, and use of Plant Select® plants while providing educational opportunities to visitors.

Featured Rock Garden
Our rock garden work has been distinguished in the North American Rock Garden Society's (NARGS) national publication as one of the premier rock gardens in Colorado. In 2021, Durango will host the annual NARGS convention.