Cheyenne Botanic Gardens: a high plains anomaly

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

Just over the border with Wyoming is a real find for garden lovers. The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is a 9-acre oasis on the high plains, a place that has remained true to its community-minded origins while expanding into a public facility that has won three Presidential awards.

The location in Cheyenne is "the oddest place to put a botanic garden" in terms of climate, according to director Shane Smith. Cheyenne is the fourth windiest city in the nation, it has unpredictable frosts, and its high altitude guarantees a short growing season. As if that weren't enough, it has the dubious honor of having more hailstorms than any other city in the country.

"There are lots of management challenges," Smith said with a good deal of understatement.

Nonetheless, the botanic garden has flowered, from its origin in 1977 as a community garden and orchard to a place of beauty and a model of renewable energy. Herb Schaal, a nationally known landscape designer based in Fort Collins, created the master plan for the gardens.

The garden moved to its present location in 1986, and Cheyenne took over its operation from the original nonprofit group, but some things have stayed very much the same. There are two community gardens on the grounds, where local gardeners can come to grow their tomatoes and squash. The original garden provided food for seniors and the handicapped, and those folks are now among the most active volunteers.

"The community feels a lot of ownership" of the gardens, said Smith. He does, too, apparently; he's been with the organization since it sprouted.

Smith came to Cheyenne after earning a degree in horticulture from Colorado State University and, much to his own surprise, put down roots in the city and the botanic garden. He also has a degree in horticultural therapy, and he writes books about greenhouse gardening.

Besides the weather, there's another reason that the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is an oddity. According to Smith, cities must generally have populations of at least a half million to support a botanic garden. Cheyenne's population is a mere 70,000.

The reasons the garden can afford to live in Cheyenne are three-fold: volunteers do 90 percent of the physical labor; Friends of the Botanic Gardens brings in financial support; and the place is very energy-efficient. The greenhouse is heated 100 percent by a passive solar system, and the sun supplies half of the facility's power.

While Cheyenne supports the garden, the garden also helps the city. It supplies bedding plants for all of Cheyenne's parks, provides a great park for city residents and is also a draw for tourists.

The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens has the following special features:

• A wheelchair-accessible garden labyrinth that opened in June
• A collection of tropical plants
• A peace garden with inspirational quotes inscribed in granite
• Gardens for roses, cacti and herbs
• A xeriscape garden
• A pond and wetland with interpretative poetry and artwork by local sixth-graders, plus lots of wildlife
• Organized activities and camps for children

The garden also has landscapes where visitors can learn about history. "Century plazas" feature plants important to three different centuries, plus historical information and a huge, coal-powered steam locomotive. There's also a Western Walkway with local brands etched in the pavers.

The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens hasn't stopped growing. Smith hopes to double the size of the building in the next five years and also to build a world-class children's garden. People already come from all 50 states, plus a few dozen foreign countries, to see this anomaly on the high plains.

For those who like flowering plants, the best months to visit the garden are July, August and September. If the trumpet trees in the greenhouse aren't enough entertainment, the Botanic Gardens also hosts numerous special events. These include a lecture series, art shows and summer garden tours on the grounds. Events are listed on the web site, www.botanic.org. The garden is open year-round, with free admission.

To drive to the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, take Interstate 25 to the West Pershing Boulevard exit. Turn left on Carey Avenue, then take a right on South Lions Park Drive. For more information, call the park at 307-637-6458.