Deep in the Elkhorn Mountains and just outside of Jefferson City is a botanical garden called Tizer Botanical Garden and Arboretum. This is probably one of my favorite places in all of Montana. It is a relatively small garden, only about 6 acres and nowhere near as big as many other professional nurseries, but every foot of it is magical.
What Can You Find at Tizer Gardens?
Tizer is divided into two main sections: the nursery and the gardens. The nursery carries vegetable seeds and saplings, annual and perennial herbs, and shrubs and bushes. However, its main draw is a large size of regionally-appropriate trees and shrubs. According to Tizer’s website, one can find “30 varieties of apple trees, 20 different crabapples trees, 20 varieties of maples, 30 different lilacs, more than 100 different conifers/evergreens, 11 kinds of Mountain Ash, 10 varieties of birch, 5 varieties of oak […] Nanking cherries, Saskatoons, Pears, Cherries, Plums, Hazelnuts, Lingonberries, [and] Haskaps” (“Nursery at Tizer Gardens”). In addition, the nursery and gift shop also sell gardening supplies, books on plants and wildlife, and garden furniture and decorations.
Once you step out of the nursery and are admitted into the arboretum, you will enter the Rose Garden, home to numerous rose species beyond just the common garden rose you are used to. From there, you can walk through the vegetable garden and into the herb garden, home to not just edible herbs but an active fairy garden. Make sure to keep an eye out for any wild strawberries and raspberries along the way, because the Gazebo Garden is a perfect place to stop for a picnic. On your way back to the Rose Garden, stop and take some time to reflect in the Meditation Garden.
Many of Tizer’s gardens are just as educational as they are recreational. The Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden was once a host for hummingbird researchers and continues to host dozens of species of butterflies and birds (“Explore Our Gardens”). The Plant Select Test Garden is a garden run by the Denver Botanic Gardens and Colorado State University, testing plants that can grow in high altitudes and survive colder weather periods (“Explore Our Gardens”). The All American Selection Garden hosts a demonstration garden for the All American Selection Committee for “plants of the year” (“Explore Our Gardens”).
On the other side of the Prickly Pear Creek is the Children’s Garden, full of beautiful art installations of playful gnomes, musical frogs, and a tree with birdhouses strung on like Christmas ornaments. Hidden above the Children’s Garden is the Wildflower Walk. Take some time on this observation deck to observe Montana’s wildflowers and native plants.
My favorite section in the whole arboretum is the “Secret Garden”, hidden in the Shade Garden. It is the perfect place to sit down, listen to the babbling creek, and pull out your notebook for some creative writing.
What are the Best Times to Visit?
While Tizer Gardens is open from mid-April through to October, right up until the Montana winter rears its ugly head, I find that the season does not truly start until late May to early June when the garden holds its Fairy and Wizard Festival. The Fairy Festival started as an event for younger kids to enjoy the gardens, but it has become the staple of the garden. People come from across the state dressed in their best wizard and fairy costumes. Vendors sell young kids wizard wands and fairy wings, as well as sell adults fairy homes and decorations for their home gardens. The garden also hosts more activities than usual during this time, from face painting to a live band. This is also the peak blooming time for many of the garden’s plants, making the garden appear even more magical.
For those that like the idea of the Fairy and Wizard Festival but want a more peaceful event with less rowdy children, the Fall Color Event is for you. The Fall Color Event happens right at the end of the season at the height of autumn. If the Fairy and Wizard Festival was the time for spring blossoms and fairy gardens, the Fall Color event is the time for golden leaves and crimson trees. Many of the same vendors make an appearance, although they may not be as “in-character” as they are during spring. There are not as many activities available during this event, but that gives you more time to browse the gardens and enjoy the peacefulness of an autumnal afternoon.
Tizer hosts a number of smaller events throughout the season, including high teas and informational panels. The Gazebo Garden, Rose Garden, and Shade Garden are also available to rent for weddings and special events. For those who want to extend their stay, Tizer also has a one room cabin available to rent for one-night stays
What Should You Expect?
Admittance to the park is $9.00 per adult and $7.00 per child for a daily pass. Children under 4 are admitted free of charge. Remember to bring some extra money for the gift shop and some extra protection from the elements, whether that be sunblock and a garden hat for sunny days or umbrellas and cardigans for cloudy days. I also recommend packing your favorite picnic snacks and a well-loved paperback book so you can lose yourself in the fantasy of Tizer Gardens.
Works Cited:
“Explore Our Gardens.” Tizer Botanical Garden and Arboretum, tizergardens.com/gardens.html.
“Nursery at Tizer Gardens.” Tizer Gardens Botanical Garden and Arboretum, tizergardens.com/nursery.html
