Western Colorado Botanical Gardens
The Western Colorado Botanical Gardens 12 acres (4.9 ha) is located at the southern end of 7th Street in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States. The gardens are managed by a non profit organization known as STRIVE. Founded in 1994, The Gardens have been increasing the size of the facility since 2003.
The Gardens have reclaimed a downtown site previously filled with thousands of used tires, junk car parts, and dead batteries. The debris has been replaced with a 4,000 sq ft (370 m2) greenhouse and butterfly house, featuring over 600 orchids and other tropical plants from around the world. A variety of outdoor gardens have been developed and/or planned, including a Cactus and Succulent Garden, Children's Secret Garden, Harmony In Color Garden, International Garden, Native Garden, Seasonal Xeric Garden, and Sensory Garden.
The Native Garden is a miniature replica of Colorado's Grand Valley, including the Grand Mesa, the Colorado National Monument and Mount Garfield, with plantings related to the 13 geological zones of Western Colorado.
The Cactus and Succulent Garden displays native cactus species, as well as other cold-hardy cactus and succulent plants.