Magnificent Gardens of Minnesota

Ryan especially loves the rose garden with its fine display of Easy Elegance roses, and comments that the arboretum has also done a wonderful job of showcasing heirloom varieties. “You can see the evolution of the rose.”

From the rose garden, visitors can stroll to the overlook across Green Heron Pond, a spectacular view. This is also where one can enjoy the iris collection, another of Ryan’s favorite displays.

Enjoy a delicious lunch in the café before continuing on to the next garden.

The garden is also known for its extensive daylily collection and Northern Lights series of azaleas which all withstand the bitterly cold zone 4 Minnesota winters.

Allow one hour.

Once inside the Conservatory, Ryan recommends heading to the Sunken Gardens. Five seasonal floral displays are created here include festive poinsettias for the Holidays and multi-colored tulips for spring. “It’s just spectacular,” comments Ryan, adding that this is also a very popular location for weddings.

Also within the Conservatory, the diverse Ordway Gardens includes an outstanding Bonsai collection, the largest such public collection in the upper Midwest. “These are really worth seeing,” encourages Ryan.

Finally, step into the dappled light of the Fern Room to see over 100 species of ferns. A gentle waterfall and floating mist add to the ambiance of a bygone era as you walk through this garden of living fossils. “It’s all very walkable,” says Ryan. There are many other collections and displays to enjoy if time allows, but if you’re ready for a snack, the restaurant has terrific food or there are often food trucks in warmer months.