Innkeepers
Anchorage Alaska Bed & Breakfast Association
The Alaska Botanical Garden: A Year-Round
Delight
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| Alaska Botanical Garden |
Anchorage
is home to the Alaska Botanical Garden, a public garden treasured by
both residents and visitors. This year, the staff and volunteers are tackling
special projects to expand the collections of peonies, blue poppies, herbs, and
alpine/native plants. By attending the 11th Annual Spring Garden Conference,
(March 3, 2018) you can explore the many gardens, see the new greenhouse, and
explore the gift shop for gardening tools, plants, books, and memorabilia.
wait for Spring? The ABG is a great place to visit all year long. Walkways in
the central area are maintained for winter walks, and if you are ready for more
rugged terrain, don your boots to explore 80 acres via backwoods trails! The
1.1 mile Lowenfels-Hoersting Family Nature Trail is a great way to start your adventure. During
winter months, looking for wildlife and animal tracks is engaging for adults
and children. Among the birds sighted recently are black-capped chickadees, boreal chickadees, and ravens. Recently, both an American Dipper and northern goshawk were seen, too.
garden is one spot to visit many times. In the summer months, the plants grow
quickly, and the garden will look different from one day to the next. Even
post-harvest, its design is intriguing to plant lovers. Ask an herb garden
volunteer about the plants that grow well in cold climates, and you will leave
with many ideas for your home garden!
ABG has events for all ages. The Winter Kids Camp begins at the end of
February, and classes for grownups include floral design, hypertufa trough
making (see picture if this is new to you), gardening basics, and even a ‘spa
night’ in the garden during which you will make products such as moisturizers,
toners, and face masks.
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| Horticulture projects at the Alaska Botanical Garden |
also hosts a research plot for Horticultural Research and Development projects
as diverse as food production to plant hardiness trials. If you have a
scientific bent, ask about the projects for this year and you might get a
mini-tour.
gardens are open from dawn to dusk year-round. Note for first timers: there is
a fence at the entrance to keep the moose out, not human visitors! Come on in!
Gift Shop hours run from 10 ‘til 4 starting mid-May. If you are planning an
event – from a wedding to a retreat, a class, a reunion, or corporate team
building – the ABG may be the idea place to book. On many days, visitors see
photo-shoots taking place among the plants and trees, and you might want to
commemorate an occasion such as a wedding anniversary or birthday by booking
the gardens to do the same!
(907) 770-3692 or visit 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road, Anchorage AK 99507. For
more details on location (including a map) and fees, see the ABG
website “Visit” page.
is both a B&B owner and a volunteer with the Alaska Botanical Garden.
Visiting the ABG while vacationing, she decided to move to Anchorage and has
supported the gardens for 15 years.