blossom
THE BEAUTY — AND SCIENCE — OF BETTY FORD ALPINE GARDENS Words by Sarah Chase Shaw | Photos by Todd Winslow Pierce
P
urple and blue blossoms artistically blend
Ford Amphitheater during the Bravo! Vail
with reds, oranges and yellows at Betty Ford
series, while others use it as an educational
Alpine Gardens, the highest botanical garden in
resource. In fact, the garden’s mission involves
the United States.
deepening understanding and promoting
Located in Vail at 8,200 feet, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens acts as a living museum full of
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conservation of alpine plants and fragile mountain environments.
wonder. Its terraced gardens showcase over
“Behind the beauty, there is a lot of science
3,000 species of alpine plants from around the
happening in the gardens,” says Nick Courtens,
world, reaching tall and wide among various
curator of plant collections. “Every plant is
waterfalls and streams. This summer, a new
carefully curated to grow here. Not many other
garden along the Education Center features
gardens are doing this work. For just a small
Colorado perennials, including over a thousand
garden, we do pack a lot of unusual species
drought-resistant plants.
from all over the world — the big ones are the
The free alpine gardens act as a serene
Himalayas, Central Asia, Europe, South Africa
refuge, a picnic area and a photographic
and, of course, North America. Anywhere there
paradise for visitors and locals alike. Many enjoy
are mountains, we represent the regions. It takes
listening to orchestras rehearse at the adjacent
a lot of strategy to select and label plants and
