Most folks here in the twin cities know about the Arboretum and I had heard about it but, for some reason, I didn’t make it out there until I had been living here 25 years. I finally got to see it in person last year. Since I work for the University of Minnesota I get emails from all kinds of different departments and luckily for me, the Landscape Arboretum was in that stack. I took advantage of the employee discount and became a member last year. It is well worth the price.
What caught my eye last year in one of the emails was a garden tour. I asked my friend Ruth if she’d be interested, she said yes and we had a marvelous time. Ruth and I were just commenting on what fun that was last year and we decided to go again next year. It’s a tour of fabulous gardens near the Arboretum. I wrote about it so do check out the link to see more gorgeous blooms and plants from the southwestern suburbs of the twin cities.
We have been trying to go back to see more of the Arboretum because we didn’t get a chance to last year. After our garden tour we got treated to a nice brunch on their patio and it was a bit warm and we were tuckered out from our busy morning so decided to come back another time. Well, it took almost a year to get back but we were so glad that we did!! Oh my goodness, it takes your breath away. Beautiful plants and flowers everywhere and it goes on for miles. There are many gardens surrounding the visitor center that are easy to get to on foot. Click here to see the map.
There are many types of gardens to explore: roses, lilies and day lilies, herbs, annuals and perennials. There is a Japenese garden that we didn’t get to. We checked out the wildflower garden. It must have been between bloom times as we didn’t see any wildflowers but we did see a handful of turkeys! After wandering around on foot, we got in the car and explored even more on the 3 mile drive. There is a trolley that you could ride as well. There are more gardens in these outer areas of the Arb and I’d like to go back to see the Sculpture and Maze gardens. It’s utterly amazing all the plants and trees that are there! You really can’t see everything in one visit, so return I must. It is now on my “must do” list for twin cities visitors. There’s a reason it won the best botanical garden contest recently. Please have a look at what we saw on a summer afternoon in July. I hope you’ll enjoy!
First some roses, clematis and some annuals and perennials too.
I took some photos of the grounds as well. There were rows and rows of gorgeous lilies of all types and just general beauty everywhere.
Now for the rest of what I selected to display. I took 86 photos so I had to trim it down a little. If you’ve never been to the Arb and you live here, do make it a point to visit. I guarantee you’ll enjoy it. And if you’re visiting the twin cities, same instructions. You won’t be disappointed! Check out more information at this link. There is so much to explore there and I can’t wait to go back again.
travels with toby 
Interesting blog
Thank you.