Montrose Botanic Gardens

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WELCOME TO THE MONTROSE BOTANIC GARDENS!

Located in the high desert community of Montrose, Colorado, the Montrose Botanic Gardens are an inspiration and an invaluable educational tool for residents as they strive to enhance a landscape that was once tumbleweed, sage and cactus.

There is no entry fee and the gardens are available for your enjoyment at all times. The gardens are being created through the efforts of the Montrose Botanical Society, a 501 (C) 3 Organization, and are not a project of the City of Montrose.

Education

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Education is a primary goal in the Montrose Botanic Gardens. Everyone, children and adults, can find new interesting facts when visiting. Guided tours are available upon request and organized classes are frequently available. The monthly meetings of the Society feature knowledgeable speakers on a variety of topics and are open to the public at no charge.

Montrose Botanical Society

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The Montrose Botanical Society is an organization established to provide, through the development of the Montrose Botanic Gardens, horticultural education and leadership for the Uncompahgre Valley.

From September to June, we have monthly meetings on the first Wednesday evening of each month at 7 p.m. Although the meetings are generally held at the Sunrise Creek Community meeting room, on occasion the location is different. Please check this site or the Montrose Daily Press for meeting location, time and speaker topic. The Society has no meeting in July, and August is the annual picnic. The Christmas Party is held in December. Meetings are free and open to the public.

Map

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Montrose Botanic Gardens is located just south of Montrose Pavilion.

View Montrose Botanic Gardens in a larger map

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Montrose Area Links

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Montrose Links

Montrose Historical Museum

Visitors and Convention Bureau

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Garden Links

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Botanic Gardens

Andrews Arboretum (Boulder, CO)
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (Vail, CO)
Cheyenne Botanic Gardens (Cheyenne, WY)
Colorado Springs Demonstration Garden (Colorado Springs, CO)
Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver, CO)
Ft. Collins Botanic Gardens (Ft. Collins, CO)
Hudson Gardens and Event Center (Littleton, CO)
Shambhala Botanic Gardens (Red Feather Lakes, CO)
Western Colorado Botanical Gardens (Grand Junction, CO)
Yampa River Botanic Park (Steamboat Springs, CO)

Societies & Associations

Alpine Garden Society

American Public Gardens Association

Botanic Gardens Conservation International

Colorado Cactus and Succulent Society

Colorado Native Plant Society

Grand Valley Rose Society

Saxifrage Society

Colorado Plant Information

CSU Cooperative Extension

Plant Select

Contact Us

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We would be happy to hear your comments on our gardens or to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us via email or standard mail.

Email: montrosebotanical@yahoo.com

Mailing address:

Montrose Botanical Society
P.O. Box 323
Montrose, CO 81402

Donations

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The Montrose Botanical Society, which is the development arm of the Montrose Botanical Gardens, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization making all donations to the gardens tax deductible. Your donation helps make it possible to keep our gardens open to the public for no charge.

We continue to receive donations to our fence fund in order to erect a permanent fence to prevent damage to the gardens by wildlife and vandals. The cost of one foot of fence is $40. These donations may be made in honor or in memory of a loved one, even pets. Donors are recognized on plaques placed on the fence. To donate to our fence fund, please fill out the form below and return with a check to:

Montrose Botanical Society
P.O. Box 323
Montrose, CO 81402

Instructions:

Click "Print" below to print a copy of this membership application.

Click "Fullscreen" to view a larger version of the application form,

and press "[Esc]" to return to this page.
Fence Form

Donations for trees, shrubs and general operating expenses are also welcome, as are major donations for larger items such as water features or fountains. Rose and shrub donations start at $50; trees at $300. Donor names may appear on the plant identification sign if requested.

Donation checks should be made payable to:

Montrose Botanical Society
P.O. Box 323
Montrose, CO 81402

Volunteer Opportunities

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Weed Warriors

Keeping the weeds under control is a challenge in any garden, and ours is no exception. Our team of volunteers, the Weed Warriors, assist with this never-ending task. Working under the guidance of Sara Ungrodt, our Horticulture Chairman, the volunteers work to keep the gardens in shape by weeding, dead-heading, planting and doing other tasks as needed. Coffee, treats and good conversation are an added benefit. Sessions are held every Wednesday at 8:00 a.m., April - October.

In 2010 over 18 volunteers have donated more than 750 hours maintaining the gardens. If weeding and dead-heading with a fun group of gardeners appeals to you, call Cindy at 249-0742 for information on joining the group.

Plant Sale

The annual Plant Sale requires many hundreds of hours of volunteer labor. From picking up plants, setting up tents and watering plants to cashier duties and overseeing the Silent Auction booth, it is all done by volunteers.

To help with this huge undertaking, call Cindy at 249-0742.

Social Events

The annual picnic in August and the Christmas Party in December are enjoyed by many members and guests. Both of these events require volunteer efforts to make them successful. Watch the newsletter or this site for information on helping with these events.

Other volunteer opportunities arise throughout the year and we would be happy to have you join the team.

Annual Plant Sale

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The Annual Plant Sale is our biggest fundraiser of the year. In conjunction with the sale, we will once again have a silent auction. Hundreds of wonderful annuals, perennials and shrubs are offered for sale and Master Gardeners are available to answer questions and help shoppers make educated decisions as to the best plants for their gardens. And both useful and different silent auction items will be begging to be bid upon. Come join us!! The Plant Sale this year will be held Saturday, May 7, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. If you have plant donations or silent auction items, please check the calendar for more particulars.

Calendar

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Click "Week" to view a weekly calendar
Click "Month" to view a monthly calendar
Click "Agenda" to see upcoming events as a list

Weddings in the Garden

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Although our gardens are still small, there have been several small weddings held on the Promenade. With a beautiful view of the San Juan Mountains, it is a lovely setting for weddings.

A damage deposit is required and a small donation to the Society is requested.

For more information call Pat at 240-3815, or print and return this Reservation Form:

Membership Application

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To join the Montrose Botanical Society, please fill out the form below and return with a check to:

Montrose Botanical Society

P.O. Box 323

Montrose, CO 81402

Instructions:

Click "Print" below to print a copy of this membership application.

Click "Fullscreen" to view a larger version of the application form,

and press "[Esc]" to return to this page.

MBG Membership Application

The Valley Garden

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Groundbreaking for the Valley Garden took place in May of 2008. It will reflect the agricultural history of the Uncompahgre Valley of Western Colorado through the use of old varieties blended with newer varieties of grasses, shrubs and perennials that have adapted well to our semi-arid climate.

The plan for the garden calls for a large central drought-tolerant turf area surrounded by small sub-gardens. The turf area will eventually provide an outdoor area for social gatherings such as reunions or weddings. Retaining walls made from native stone will provide definition and additional seating in the garden. An area between the gardens will display waves of grasses of different heights to add a visual interest.

Since the Montrose climate is excellent for growing roses, a garden featuring heirloom varieties will be featured as well as a few examples of miniature varieties.

The north end of the garden will feature a collection of lilacs, both old and new, as well as a collection of tall perennials with a variety of colors, textures and bloom times.

The east side of the gardens borders a busy street. To block the auditory and visual impact a living fence of dense evergreen trees and shrubs will be planted. Earthen berms already constructed will aid in this blocking effect and will serve to educate visitors to the gardens in this "living fence" technique.

The final sub-garden will be a sensory garden displaying plants with strong aromatic appeal such as lavender, mock orange, bee balm and vibrunum will be planted.

As the garden was designed to accommodate outdoor gatherings, a shaded structure will be included to serve a variety of needs such as a classroom, stage or food serving area.

A major water feature will run through the garden, appearing and disappearing as it meanders from the south end to the north end. The "Valley Canal" will be representative of the importance of the Gunnison Tunnel and the canal system that moves irrigation water throughout the valley.

In 2008 the Montrose Botanical Society was awarded a $10,000 grant from Colorado Garden Show, Inc. This grant allowed work to begin on the gardens. Generous donations of materials, labor and equipment from local individuals, businesses and, most recently, 150 manhours from the City of Montrose along with 12 equipment hours have enabled us to make the most of the grant.

Xeriscape Demonstration Garden

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The Xeriscape Demonstration Garden provides information and inspiration for gardeners intent on limiting water usage and having beautiful productive yards and gardens. An area of plants native to Colorado is included in this garden along with a cactus and succulent garden and a rock garden. This garden is a Plant Select demonstration garden with new plants being added yearly.

Membership Benefits

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Memberships are a vital part of our continued progress in maintaining and creating the Montrose Botanic Gardens for the enjoyment and education of the citizens and visitors to the Uncompahgre Valley.

2011 MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Abel's Ace Hardware	10% off gardening items

Camelot Gardens	10% off pottery & tropical plants
Cooper Soils	10% off soils & mulch
San Juan Gardens	10% off everything
MBS Plant Sale	10% off everything

Membership Categories

Naturalist (Senior/Student)	$25
Gardener (Individual)	$30
Roots & Shoots (Family)	$40
Growers (Business)	$100
Botany Club	$100- $199
Alpine Club	$200- $499
Garden Angel	$500- $900
Visionary	$1000 and over

Membership application

The Promenade

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(click to enlarge)

Completed in 2001, The Promenade is a showcase of perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees complimented by an entry area of mixed annuals that changes from year to year.

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On a warm August evening in 1995, a large group of people responded to an ad in the local paper to discuss the possibility of creating a botanic garden for the City of Montrose. From that first meeting, the Montrose Botanical Society was formed for the purpose of creating the Montrose Botanic Gardens. A fifty year lease from the City provided three and one half acres for the gardens.

After installation of the infrastructure, construction began on the Promenade Entry Garden in 2000. Fourteen white flowering crabapple trees and hundreds of perennials welcome visitors as they stroll down the eighteen foot wide promenade.

Planning and construction of the 18,000 square foot Xeriscape Demonstration Garden began in 2003. Thanks to several grants and an abundance of in-kind labor and donations, the garden was completed in 2005.

Valley Garden Master Plan

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(click to enlarge)

Board of Directors and Officers

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Sally Johnson, Interim President - sandkjohnson1@juno.com
Brad Stewart, Finance - bstew1284@yahoo.com
Gary Mac Donald, Capital Improvements - (970) 249-7137
Connie Kolker, Web Site, Secretary - concon1133@hotmail.com
Ellen Angeles, Education Coordinator - ellenangeles@gmail.com
Cindy Youngstrom, At Large - cyoungstrom@optimum.net
Betty Hall, At Large - ausbethall@juno.com
Irm Schubert, At Large - irmschub@msn.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sara Ungrodt, Horticulture Chairman - saralandscape@gmail.com
Gina Grundemann, Historian - ggrundemann@bresnan.net
Lynn Lewis, Membership Chairman - sunrock2011@gmail.com
Meg Nagel, Newsletter - mnagel@montroselibrary.org

Date of Incorporation: 12/01/1995