Las Vegas is probably not the first place that comes to your mind when you think about gardening. After all, like in the rest of Nevada, the soils there are salty and infertile. Nonetheless, it can be a perfect spot to create a wonderful garden, provided you have the necessary skills.
In this article, we list the best gardens in Las Vegas – from The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden to Gardens Park, and so many more. If you’re going to drive to any one of these gardens but are afraid to leave the house because your garage door is broken (making your home a potential target for burglars) there is a solution. Contact an emergency garage door service nearby.
Read on to find more about the best gardens to visit in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Located 3 miles west of downtown Las Vegas, The Springs Preserve consists of 180 acres of gardens and nature trails. There is a museum and plenty of playgrounds and activities for children.
This institution often hosts outdoor concerts and other types of family-friendly events. There is a $15 admission price, but it is well worth it as you can tell from all the 5-star reviews visitors leave.
As the park is run by the Las Vegas Valley Water District, they provide guided tours which are rich in information detailing the effect water has had on the region. You can visit their website for more info or call 702-822-7700.
Donald H. Baepler Xeric Garden
This unique garden is located at the entrance to the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art and is part of the campus of the University of Las Vegas. Its mission is to promote xeriscaping – a water-efficient gardening method that originated in Southern Nevada back in the 1930s.
The Donald H. Baepler Xeric Garden features many varieties of xeriscaping plants as well as educational exhibits on sustainable landscaping practices. It was created to showcase desert plants and other native vegetation of Southern Nevada and Las Vegas Valley.
The garden was established in 1995 by Dr. Carl Baepler, who wanted to create a place where people could appreciate desert plants and other indigenous vegetation of the area without traveling too far away from Las Vegas.
The Baepler Xeric Garden offers several attractions, including an arid garden tour, which takes visitors around through different vegetation zones of the garden, such as Sonoran desert, Mojave Desert, Great Basin Desert, and Chihuahuan Desert. There are also several native plant collections in the garden, such as cacti, succulents, and wildflowers.
The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden
This is a must-see when you’re in Las Vegas. In fact, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. It is not only full of beautiful plants but also features some of the most gorgeous displays of flowers and trees that will leave you breathless.
The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden has both indoor and outdoor gardens. As for the indoor garden, it features floral displays as well as an artificial stream as its centerpiece. Additionally, there are fountains, waterfalls, and bridges. It is a great way to learn about the different types of plants in the desert.
Covering more than 14,000 square feet, the Botanical Garden is an artistic creation designed by the horticulture and engineering teams of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Their displays change with each season. They are always looking for new and exciting ways to share the beauty of nature with their many visitors.
The entrance to the Botanical Garden is located near the hotel lobby. You do not need a ticket to enter. Entrance is free. On the other end of the garden is a gourmet seafood restaurant.
The Gardens Park
Located near Sahara Avenue in the heart of Summerlin – which is an area with many parks – this park is considered to be one of the most beautiful parks in Las Vegas. It is well known for its walking paths, giant sculptures, fountains, and other interesting features.
The sculpture garden is especially fascinating due to the various works of art scattered around it. The sculptures are truly magnificent. They are made from all sorts of materials such as metal, stone, wood, and more. Visitors will enjoy walking along these paths and taking in the sights and sounds that they provide.
In the summer on Tuesdays, the park hosts the Las Vegas Farmers Market from 4 to 8 pm.
Las Vegas Community Healing Garden
Located in downtown Las Vegas, The Las Vegas Community Healing Garden was built by community members and local businesses as a memorial to those affected by the tragic mass shooting that occurred at a nearby music festival in October 2017.
The garden is comprised of a memorial wall, a grove of 58 trees, each symbolizing one of the 58 lives lost in the tragedy. The trees line a paved path with shrubs and flowers that encircle the “Tree of Life” – an oak tree donated by famous Las Vegas performers Siegfried and Roy.
Members of the community paint the rocks and leave flowers, pictures, candles, and other such mementos.
The healing garden was designed by California artist Tanya Zilm, who was inspired by a poem written by a local resident named Diana Donlon. According to her poem, healing comes through a variety of forms such as love, kindness, compassion, and generosity. In addition to the fountain, this garden includes benches, walkways lined with native plants and flowers, and an “eternal flame” that is lit every night at 6:00 pm (MST).
Acacia Demonstration Gardens
Designed for homeowners and horticulture enthusiasts of the region, the Acacia Demonstration Gardens are meant to provide a user-friendly educational experience, showing how plants can be cultivated in an arid region such as Las Vegas.
The 19 gardens that make up this complex include the Allergy-Friendly Garden, the Cactus Garden, a dry wash demonstration, and a turf demonstration. It is meant to offer visitors a visual learning experience.
These gardens feature more than 450 species of drought-tolerant plants that were grown according to organic principles by the Garden Club of Southern Nevada’s Acacia Demonstration Gardens Committee (ADGC). It features both annuals and perennials as well as trees, shrubs, herbs, and ground covers. All of these are used for landscaping purposes across Southern Nevada
Conclusion
Las Vegas, Nevada is a unique region. The arid land and short water supply present a challenge to gardens and horticulture enthusiasts. But with these challenges comes a new kind of landscaping, one that is unique to the region and impressive in its resourcefulness as much as it is in its beauty.