When spring doesn’t begin until June and fall arrives sometime in late August, gardens become more than bright flowers and buzzing bees. Alaskans’ enthusiasm for working the land is strong, and true seed lovers are always looking for the new variety of hardy flowers or fruits to make a brighter and more flavorful fall and winter.
Alaska Botanical Gardens are surprisingly prolific, due in part to the enthusiasm of local gardening groups and a growing cadre of residents interested in growing their own food. Visitors are often amazed at the variety of vegetables, fruits, and flowers that thrive in a far northern environment, and there is no better place to learn about landscapes and environments than gardens.
Botanical Gardens to Visit in Alaska
Whether you want to stroll among the blossoms of native plants and tubers in the spring or investigate the tubers that Alaska is famous for, Botanical Gardens are a wealth of information, research projects, and a simple treat for guests.
Anchorage
The Alaska Botanical Garden, located along the eastern edge of Anchorage near the foothills of the Chugach Mountains, is the state’s largest facility through which to explore native plants and trees. This 110-acre property is divided into parcels, with twisting, paved and unpaved trails leading through boreal forest. The product of a large group of volunteers dedicated to the preservation and progression of the space, the Alaska Botanical Garden offers educational programs, guided and self-guided tours, and special events that also add a little local history.
An annual garden fair brings music, artisans, and local experts to the property during a weekend of summer festivities, and a September harvest fair focuses on the bounty of Alaskan produce, even despite a season of growth so short.
One of the visitor’s favorite activities is to hike the 1-mile Lowenfells Family Nature Trail that runs along the edges of the botanical garden, where elk and the occasional bear also roam. In any season, including winter, the garden paths are a delight, especially during the early hours of the morning or later.
Juneau
Visitors to Alaska’s capital are fortunate to have the nation’s largest rainforest, the Tongass, at their disposal, and at its center is Glacier Gardens, located one mile from Juneau Airport. Visitors can arrange transportation during guided tours, and independent travelers can easily explore the 2 miles of trails on their own in this 50-acre wooded section of the rainforest.
For those with mobility issues, Glacier Gardens offers a trolley to fully experience the gardens, but one must walk if possible to truly appreciate the peaceful atmosphere within Tongass. The highlight of the gardens are the unique ‘Flower Towers’ that must be seen to be appreciated, especially during the summer blooming season. The views looking out over Juneau, the Gastineau Canal, and Thunder Mountain are also not to be missed, so be sure to bring a camera.
Fairbanks
Thanks to a strong agriculture program that seeks to expand gardening and farming methods in the North, the Interior has its own botanical garden on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Georgeson Botanical Garden can be found on a southern slope of campus, with panoramic views of the picturesque Tanana Valley, and right next to the Large Animal Research Station (LARS), also a great stop for visitors.
Between June and September, the garden is a delightful place to stroll, investigate experimental techniques, and marvel at the plants’ ability to grow in what appears to be inhospitable for most of the year. During the summer months, don’t miss the Children’s Garden, where children can explore interesting garden plots just for themselves.
Palmero
While the Matanuska-Susitna Valley does not have a true botanical garden per se, it is the site of an important chapter in Alaska’s agricultural history. During the depression era of the 1930s, settlers from the upper Midwest regions of the United States were offered the opportunity to start their own farms in this fertile but harsh area north of Anchorage. While many settlers gave up and returned to their homes, others managed to create agricultural rewards with farms that are still in operation today.
Stop by the log cabin of the Palmer City Visitor Center in downtown Palmer and check out local garden plots with cabbage, native flowers, and some fruit trees. Drier than other areas of Southcentral Alaska, “The Valley” provides rich soil for gardeners and farmers to plant successfully.
Across the state
Don’t miss out on your chance to shop for Alaska-grown produce at one of the many farmers markets throughout the state. There’s nothing like eating a sweet Alaskan carrot or smelling a fragrant flower.
