Alpine Flowers of Vail

I have to say, this whole Covid 19 has caused some extreme travel issues for me.  We had to cancel our 27th wedding anniversary trip to Mexico.  Furthermore, I had to reschedule my trip to London for June 2021 and I am hoping my trip to California doesn’t need to be rescheduled in August! So to take a break from our busy work schedule my husband and I decided to take a trip to our happy place, Vail, Colorado.  And with his help, I am giving you the low down on all things flowers!  Alpine Flowers of Vail are stunning! And I think Vail has some of the most alluring scenery in the world, but you be the judge!  Let’s get started!

Alpine Flowers and Decorating with Annual Baskets

Vail has the most extensive flowers and baskets of any place I have ever visited.  It is not only stunning for its views, but also for the horticulture knowledge that goes into the tantalizing flower displays every year!  Below are a sampling of the flowers from E Gore Creek Drive and Bridge Street in Center Village!

The Sonnenalp Hotel

The Sonnenalp Hotel has simply beautiful flower containers.  I plan on mimicking some of them next year.  As this is one of our favorite places to stay, I enjoy looking at what new color combination they come up with each year!  And they never disappoint!  Below is some of the pots for 2020!  To learn more about the Sonnenalp Hotel, check out my travel review HERE!

Alpine and Wildflowers

Even the alpine wildflowers were eye-catching this year!  The pictures I took don’t do the view and the flowers justice.  But hopefully you have an idea of the beauty they brought to the valley.  There were yarrow plants, purple asters, paint brush and so much more.  High season for wildflowers is normally the end of June and most of July.  But depending on the winter it could be a little earlier or later.  This year, they were spot on! And simply beautiful…..

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

If you haven’t noticed, I could look at, and talk about flowers all day long.  So can my hubby.  Maybe it comes from owning a commercial landscaping and lawn maintenance company for 21 years, or maybe we just love what we do!  Either way, there is never a time when we are in Vail that we don’t stop at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.  Gerald and Betty Ford put Vail on the map as they had a second home there.  And if you didn’t know, Gerald Ford was the 38th president of the United States!  It has since become the “play ground” for the rich and famous.

The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is the highest botanical garden in the world!  Sitting at an elevation of  8200′ it is known worldwide for its alpine horticulture, education and conservation.

Hours and Donations

The gardens are open dawn until dusk daily.  Although it is free, there are donation boxes all around the gardens.  They ask for a $5 donation that goes directly to support the garden’s work.

Take a look at some of the amazing plants they have.  They even have a plant section of plants from around the world.  It is a way to connect similar environments but on different continents!  It is truly educational and amazing!

Kids Activities at the Gardens

For all the years we have been visiting Vail and the gardens, I never noticed their kids activities.  Because of course, I just like looking at all the pretty flowers!   But I noticed on this visit “scavenger hunt” signs throughout the garden.

After a little investigation, there is a scavenger hunt kids can do every day between 10-4 p.m.  If they complete it, they get a special prize at the end!  How cool is that?  I know my husband and I learned a lot from reading some of the clues!

Garden Regions and Trails

There are four regions/trails that make up the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.  They are:

• Taming the Mountain West
• Alpine Plants of the World (I love this area!)
• Rocky Mountain Ecosystems
• Pollinator Garden

In addition, they end at the visitor center which has a “cold greenhouse” that mimics the alpine environment.  They offer guided tours or you can wander the gardens by yourself!  Either way, it is a beautiful way to spend a morning or afternoon!

Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope mine and my husband’s love for flowers and plants comes through in my writing.  My hubby was a wonderful resource for me while working on this post.  After 31 years of marriage and 25 years of owning a business steeped in annuals and perennials a like, we truly enjoy what we do and love sharing our joy and knowledge with others!  And the Alpine Flower’s of Vail are proof of our love for all things flowers!

Want More Information or to Donate?

Additionally, if you are interested or want to donate to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, CLICK HERE!

 

 

 

 

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More importantly, thank you for spending your time here at Colorado Kelly!  I love having you here and appreciate everyone that visits and look forward to having you back soon!

 

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