What a long, beautiful fall we had in the Mountain West last year! I was fortunate to be able to explore a bit of Colorado in September and revisit the Yampa River Botanic Park in Steamboat Springs. It’s been over 10 years since my last visit, and it was amazing to see how it has grown and matured during that time. This garden is a true gem.

Two rock gardens show off alpine plants

One of the first gardens we found was the stunning Crevice Garden, built in 2014 using fieldstone from Wyoming. Nestled among the stones are alpine plants that love the heat that the stones provide. Adjacent to the Crevice Garden is the Members Rock Garden, one of the oldest and largest gardens in the park. Both gardens are on a slope, in full sun, and use rocks strategically to create planting pockets that will help hold water and heat for the plants selected. Seeing these gardens has me thinking differently about a small berm in my landscape in which plants have struggled. I am seeing more rock gardening in my future!

We eventually meandered along the wetlands, enjoying watching an osprey fly in and out of its nest. We continued exploring through gardens filled with various conifers and high-country natives. As we made our way around the central lawn and pond area, I came upon the September Charm Garden. As it was September, this garden did not disappoint. The upright sedums (Hylotelephium spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9), asters (Symphyotrichum spp. and cvs., Zones 4–8), and goldenrods (Solidago spp. and cvs., Zones 3–9) created a wow-worthy moment for me as I rounded the corner. This was a truly stunning garden on a rather gloomy day. I plan to add a couple of these fall-blooming plants to my garden.

As many of you have figured out over the past three years that I’ve been writing these regional reports, I love public gardens. I have had the pleasure of leading the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins, Colorado, for nearly 15 years, I have friends working in gardens all over the country, and I always visit gardens when traveling. The Yampa River Botanic Park is a true Mountain West gem, with a variety of differently themed gardens that won’t disappoint regardless of the time of year.

For more on interesting gardens in the Mountain West, check out:

• Inside Vertical Harvest Farms in Jackson, Wyoming
• A Visit to Betty Ford’s Alpine Gardens

And for more Mountain West regional reports, click here.

—Michelle Provaznik is the CEO of the American Public Gardens Association.

Photos: Michelle Provaznik

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.

Buy at Amazon

Corona® Multi-Purpose Metal Mini Garden Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Longer Service Life: The blade of this round small shovel is made of carbon steel, which can effectively improve the hardness by high temperature quenching, and the surface has anti-rust coating to avoid rusting. In the process of use when encountering hard objects will not bend and deformation. Sturdy Structure: The small garden shovel with D-handle, ergonomically designed grip can increase the grip of the hand when using, the handle is made of strong fiberglass, will not bend and break under heavy pressure. Quick Digging: Well-made digging shovel has a sharp blade, and the round shovel head is designed to easily penetrate the soil and cut quickly while digging to enhance your work efficiency.

Buy at Amazon

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon