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The Hudson Gardens and Event Center: Always in Bloom







South Suburban Parks and Recreation District

Scientific and Cultural Facilities District


City of Littleton



ARCHIVES: Bloom Calendar

...Typical Scenery by Month...
Garden Canopy for Weddings and Events Near the Oval Garden and Rose Garden

Each month delivers new colors, shapes, and scents to The Gardens. Although variations in weather each year affect the exact bloom time of particular species, you can get a rough idea of what you might see at different times throughout the year.

This information may be useful if you are planning an event such as a wedding, an educational field trip, or a tour and want to predict what will be on display at a particular time of year.

...April: Spring’s a’poppin’!...
Crocuses

Bulbs abound--Mother Nature is showing off her palette of spring colors! Crocus and hyacinth have announced the arrival of Spring, while daffodils dance in the breeze in the Deciduous Woodland.


Budding Aristocrat pear trees transition to a brilliant display of white flower clusters, as flowering crabapples create visual impact in the Water Garden area.

Don’t miss our tulip plantings—a mesmerizing and magnificent display!

You’ll want to enjoy these springtime wonders:

  • Crocus
  • Early tulip varieties
  • Daffodils
  • Creeping phlox
  • American plum
  • Prunus "Newport"
  • Eastern Redbud Tree
  • Forsythia varieties
  • Pussy willow catkins
  • Carol Mackie Daphne
  • White Splendor Anemone
  • Serviceberry
  • Lungwort
  • White Rockcress
  • Pasqueflower
  • Scilla
  • Golden Banner
  • Oregon Grape Mahonia


. . . May: Color Continues Creeping . . .
Iris.

A delightful palette of color is introduced into The Gardens during May! You'll see the last of the spring bulbs--bearded irises, tulips, and daffodils--as well as flowering trees, annuals and more.

Don't miss these plantings and gardens this month!

What's Blooming
 
Where to See It
  • Annual flowers
    (varied assortment)
  • Oval Garden, Gift Shop, Garden Canopy, Welcome Garden, Concert Amphitheater, Inn at Hudson Gardens, Monet’s Place
  • Alternate Leaf Buddleia
    (Buddleia alternifolia)
  • Oval Garden
  • Beauty Bush
    (Kolkwitzia amabilis)
  • Oval Garden Path, Secret Garden, Shade Garden
  • Bleeding Heart
    (Dicentra spectablis)
  • Shade Garden
  • Catmint
    (Nepeta x faassenii)
  • Hudson Residence, Oval Garden Wall
  • Columbine
    (Aquilegia spp.)
  • Shade Garden, Rock Garden Canyon, Welcome Garden
  • Corsican Violet
    (Viola corsica)
  • Hudson Residence
  • Crabapple
    (Malus spp.)
  • South Lawn, Deciduous Woodland, Welcome Garden
  • Creeping Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster adpressus)
  • Oval Garden Wall
  • Creeping Phlox
    (Phlox subulata)
  • Rock Garden Canyon
  • Elder
    (Sambucus spp.)
  • Ornamental Grass Garden, Oval Garden Path, Inn at Hudson Gardens, Gift Shop
  • False Blue Indigo
    (Baptisia australis)
  • Hudson Residence
  • Giant Sea Kale
    (Crambe cordifolia)
  • Hudson Residence, Oval Garden
  • Golden Currant
    (Ribes aureum)
  • Cascades, Garden Canopy
  • Hawthorn trees
    (Crataegus spp.)
  • Deciduous Woodland, Oval Garden, Gift Shop
  • Honeysuckle
    (Lonicera spp.)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Demonstration Gardens
  • Iris
    (Iris spp.)
  • Iris Display Bed
  • Japanese Tree Lilac
    (Syringa reticulata)
  • Monet’s Place, Cutting Garden Grove
  • Lady's Mantle
    (Alchemilla mollis)
  • Hudson Residence, Water Garden
  • Lilac
    (Syringa spp.)
  • Gift Shop, Oval Garden Path, Inn at Hudson Gardens, Garden Canopy
  • May Day Tree
    (Prunus padus)
  • Garden Canopy, Deciduous Woodland, Shade Garden, Secret Garden
  • Newport Plum
    (Prunus cerasifera 'Newportii')
  • Garden Canopy
  • Oregon Grape Mahonia
    (Mahonia aquifolium)
  • Oval Garden Wall
  • Pasque Flower
    (Pulsatilla vulgaris)
  • Rock Garden Canyon
  • Penstemon
    (Penstemon spp.)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Water Garden
  • Peonies
    (Paeonia spp.)
  • Hudson Residence
  • Poppy
    (Papaver spp.)
  • Garden Railroad, Cutting Garden
  • Redbud
    (Cercis canadensis)
  • Water Garden, Hudson Residence, Welcome Garden
  • Salvia
    (Salvia spp.)
  • Oval Garden Wall
  • Serviceberry
    (Amelanchier canadensis)
  • Hudson Residence, Shade Garden
  • Siberian Peashrub
    (Caragana arborescens)
  • Deciduous Woodland, Demonstration Garden
  • Viburnum
    (Viburnum spp.)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Oval Garden Path, Rose Garden, Hudson
    Residence, Cascades
  • Weigela
    (Weigela florida)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Garden Canopy

 

. . . June: Summer is in Progress . . .
Mock Orange.

It's summertime - the living is easy! Don't miss the Oval Garden and Rose Garden this month. What a spectacular display!

Here's what else is in bloom at The Gardens:

What's Blooming
 
Where to See It
  • Alternate Leaf Buddleia
    (Buddleia alternifolia)
  • Oval Garden, Inn at Hudson Gardens, Hudson Residence
  • Arrowwood Viburnum
    (Viburnum dentatum)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Beauty Bush
    (Kolkwitzia amabilis)
  • Oval Garden Path, Secret Garden, Shade Garden
  • Catalpa
    (Catalpa speciosa)
  • Deciduous Woodland, Oak Grove, Parking Lot
  • Cinquefoil
    (Potentilla fruiticosa)
  • Oval Garden Path
  • Columbine
    (Aquilegia spp.)
  • Shade Garden, Rock Garden, Welcome Garden
  • Compact American Cranberrybush
    (Viburnum tribolum compactum)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Coral Bells
    (Heuchera sanguinea)
  • Shade Garden, Water Garden, Oval Garden
  • Daylilies
    (Hemerocallis spp.)
  • Shade Garden, Water Garden, Iris Display Bed, Oval Garden
  • False Blue Indigo
    (Baptisia australis)
  • Hudson Residence
  • False Spirea
    (Astilbe sp.)
  • Secret/Shade Garden
  • Flax
    (Linum spp.)
  • Cascades, Hudson Residence
  • Giant Kale
    (Crambe cordifolia)
  • Hudson Residence, Oval Garden
  • Golden Elder
    (Sambucus canadensis)
  • Garden Railroad, Garden Canopy Path, Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Iris
    (Iris spp.)
  • Iris Display Bed, Oval Garden
  • Lady's Mantle
    (Alchemilla mollis)
  • Hudson Residence, Water Garden
  • Lilac
    (Syringa spp.)
  • Garden Canopy, Amphitheater, Oval Garden Path
  • Peonies
    (Paeonia spp.)
  • Hudson Residence
  • Roses
    (Rosa spp.)
  • Rose Garden, Oval Garden
  • Russian Sage
    (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Garden Railroad, Oval Garden Path
  • Spirea
    (Spiraea spp.)
     
  • Hudson Residence, Welcome Garden, Garden Canopy, Inn at Hudson Gardens, Iris Display Bed

 

. . . July: Fireworks . . .
Hollyhocks.

Celebrate your patriotism - our gardens offer much more than the standard red, white and blue. You'll want to be sure and check out the Water Garden and Demonstration Garden this month too!

Here's a sampling of July blooms at The Gardens:

What's Blooming
 
Where to See It
  • Annuals - varied assortment
  • Oval Garden, Garden Canopy, Gift Shop, Demonstration Gardens
  • Balloon Flower
    (Platycodon grandiflorus)
  • Oval Garden
  • Blanket Flower
    (Gaillardia x grandiflora)
  • Rock Garden, Parking Lot
  • Catmint
    (Nepeta x faassenii ‘Six Hills Giant’)
  • Oval Garden, Demonstration Gardens, Parking Lot
  • Coneflower
    (Echinacea purpurea)
  • Hudson Residence, Water Garden
  • Daylilies
    (Hemerocallis spp.)
  • Shade Garden, Water Garden, Iris Display Bed, Oval Garden
  • Gayfeather
    (Liatris spicata)
  • Welcome Garden
  • German Statice
    (Goniolimon tataricum)
  • Hudson Residence, Garden Railroad
  • Giant Kale
    (Crambe cordifolia)
  • Hudson Residence, Oval Garden
  • Hibiscus
    (Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Disco Belle’)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens Courtyard
  • Lavender
    (Lavandula angustifolia)
  • Herb Garden, Oval Garden Wall, Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Linden
    (Tilia spp.)
  • Gift Shop, Welcome Garden, Deciduous Woodland
  • Lotus
    (Nelumbo ‘Mrs. Perry D. Slocum’)
  • Water Garden
  • Pineleaf Penstemon
    (Penstemon pinifolius)
  • Garden Railroad, Oval Garden Wall
  • Red Hot Poker
    (Kniphofia sp.)
  • Oval Garden
  • Red Pincushion Flower
    (Knautia macedonia)
  • Water Garden
  • Rose
    (Rosa spp.)
  • Rose Garden, Oval Garden
  • Russian Sage
    (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Garden Railroad, Oval Garden Wall
  • Sea Holly
    (Eryngium sp.)
  • Rock Garden
  • Shasta Daisy
    (Leucanthmeum x superbum)
  • Oval Garden, Welcome Garden
  • Sunflowers
    (Heliopsis spp.)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Demonstration Gardens
  • Water Lilies—assorted
    (Nymphaea spp.)
     
  • Water Garden
  • Western Catalpa
    (Catalpa speciosa)
  • Deciduous Woodland, Oak Grove, Parking Lot
  • Yellow Meadow Rue
    (Thalictrum flavum ssp.glaucum)
  • Water Garden

 

. . . August: Hot Stuff in Bloom . . .
Large Sunflower

The heat is on! You'll find rays to bask in and shade to cool off in at The Hudson Gardens & Event Center. August brings out delights in the Oval Garden, Cottage Garden, Cutting Garden and Water Gardens!


What's Blooming
 
Where to See It
  • Anise Hyssop
    (Agastache spp.)
  • Oval Garden, Parking Lot
  • Annual flowers
    (varied assortment)
  • Oval Garden, Canopy, Gift Shop, Inn at Hudson Gardens, Welcome Garden
  • Balloon Flower
    (Platycodon grandiflorus)
  • Oval Garden
  • Bee Balm
    (Monarda didyma)
  • Hudson Residence
  • Blanket Flower
    (Gaillardia grandiflora)
  • Rock Garden
  • Brazilian Verbena
    (Veronica bonariensis)
  • Hudson Residence
  • Butterfly Bush
    (Buddleia davidii)
  • Oval Garden, Demonstration Gardens
  • Chocolate Plants
    (varied assortment)
  • Demonstration Gardens
  • Dahlia hybrids
    (Dahlia spp.)
  • Demonstration Gardens, Inn at Hudson Gardens, Oval Garden
  • Day Lilies
    (Hemerocallis spp.)
  • Iris Display Bed, Water Garden
  • Elderberry
    (Sambucus candadensis)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Pond
  • Garden Phlox
    (Phlox paniculata)
  • Hudson Residence, Oval Garden
  • Hibiscus
    (Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Disco Belle’)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens Courtyard
  • Hollyhock
    (Alcea spp.)
  • Hudson Residence, Oval Garden
  • Lavender
    (Lavandula angustifolia)
  • Herb Garden, Oval Garden Path, Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Liatris
    (Liatris spicata)
  • Oval Garden, Welcome Garden
  • Lotus
    (Nelumbo nucifera 'Mrs. Perry D. Slocum')
  • Water Garden
  • Pine-leaf Penstemon
    (Penstemon pinifolius)
  • Railroad Garden, Oval Garden Path
  • Red Pincushion Flower
    (Knautia macedonica)
  • Oval Garden, Water Garden
  • Rose
    (Rosa spp.)
  • Rose Garden, Oval Garden Path, Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Rose of Sharon
    (Hibiscus syriacus)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Oval Garden Path
  • Water Lilies—assorted
    (Nymphaea spp.)
     
  • Water Garden
  • Russian Sage
    (Petrovskia atriplicifolia)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Garden Railroad, Oval Garden Path
  • Black-eyed Susan
    (Rudbeckia hirta)
  • Oval Garden, Gift Shop
  • Tansy
    (Tanacetum vulgare)
  • Oval Garden Path, Shade Garden
  • Victoria Lilies
    (Victoria 'Longwood Hybrid')
  • Pond
  • Whirling Butterflies
    (Guara lindheimeri)
  • Hudson Residence, Water Garden
  • White Mugwort
    (Artemesia lactiflora)
  • Herb Garden, Oval Garden

 

. . . September: Autumn Transition . . .
Large Sunflower

Say "goodbye" to summer and "hello" to spectacular fall colors! The Oval Garden, The Cascades, and Ornamental Grass Garden will be on your Don't Miss list!

Fabulous fall colors abound at The Gardens:

What's Blooming
 
Where to See It
  • Annual flowers
    (varied assortment)
  • Oval Garden, Canopy, Gift Shop, Inn at Hudson Gardens, Welcome Garden
  • Black-eyed Susan
    (Rudbeckia hirta)
  • Oval Garden, Gift Shop
  • Blue Mist Spirea
    (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
  • Residence, Rose Garden
  • Brazilian Verbena
    (Veronica bonariensis)
  • Hudson Residence
  • Butterfly Bush
    (Buddleia davidii)
  • Oval Garden, Demonstration Gardens
  • Clara Curtis Mum
    (Chrysanthemum x rubellum ‘Clara Curtis’)
  • Oval Garden, Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Garden Phlox
    (Phlox paniculata)
  • Hudson Residence, Oval Garden
  • Hibiscus
    (Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Disco Belle’)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens Courtyard
  • Hollyhock
    (Alcea spp.)
  • Hudson Residence, Oval Garden
  • Ice Plant
    (Crystallinum mesembryanthemum)
  • Hudson Residence, Welcome Garden
  • Obedient Plant
    (Physotegia sp.)
  • Oval Garden, Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Ozark Sundrops
    (Oenothera missouriensis)
  • Gift Shop, Hudson Residence, Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Plumbago
    (Ceratostigma plumbagnoides)
  • Gift Shop, Oval Garden Path
  • Potentilla
    (Potentilla fruticosa)
  • Oval Garden Path, Conifer Grove
  • ‘Professor Klippenburg Aster
    (Aster novae-angliae ‘Professor Klippenburg’)
  • Oval Garden, Water Garden
  • Purple Dome Aster
    (Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’)
  • Oval Garden, Ornamental Grass Garden
  • Rose
    (Rosa spp.)
  • Rose Garden, Oval Garden Path, Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Rose of Sharon
    (Hibiscus syriacus)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Oval Garden Path
  • Russian Sage
    (Petrovskia atriplicifolia)
  • Inn at Hudson Gardens, Garden Railroad, Oval Garden Path
  • Salvia
    (Salvia spp.)
  • Oval Garden, Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Showy Stonecrop
    (Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’)
  • Oval Garden, Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Sunset Hyssop
    (Agatache rupestris)
  • Oval Garden, Inn at Hudson Gardens
  • Tansy
    (Tanacetum vulgare)
  • Oval Garden Path, Shade Garden
  • Three-lobed Coneflower
    (Rudbeckia triloba) 
  • Oval Garden
  • Whirling Butterflies
    (Guara lindheimeri)
  • Hudson Residence, Water Garden
  • White Mugwort
    (Artemesia lactiflora)
  • Herb Garden, Oval Garden

 

. . . September & October: Autumn Transition . . .
Colored Fall Foliage.

Say "goodbye" to summer and "hello" to spectacular fall colors! The Oval Garden, The Cascades, and Ornamental Grass Garden will be on your Don't Miss list!

Fabulous fall colors abound at The Gardens:

Early September

what's blooming
where to see it
  • Annual flowers (varied assortment)
    		•
  • Oval Garden, Canopy, Gift Shop
    		•
  • Aster (Aster 'Professor Kippenburg')
    		•
  • Oval Garden, Water Garden
    		•
  • Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy')
    		•
  • Oval Garden
    		•
  • Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
    		•
  • Cascades, Water Garden
    		•
  • Brazilian Verbena (Veronica bonariensis)
    		•
  • Cutting Garden
    		•
  • Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
    		•
  • Oval Garden, Demonstration Garden
    		•
  • Clara Curtis Mum (Chrysanthemum x rubellum 'Clara Curtis')
    		•
  • Oval Garden
    		•
  • Disco Belle Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle' )
    		•
  • Oval Garden
    		•
  • Perennial Hollyhock (Alcea rugosa)
    		•
  • Cottage Garden, Oval Garden
    		•
  • Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
    		•
  • Inn, Shrub Border
    		•
  • Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
    		•
  • Inn, Water Garden
    		•
  • Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
  • Fragrance Garden, Shade Garden
    		•
  • Three-lobed Coneflower (Rudbeckia triloba)
  • Water Garden, Cottage Garden
    		•
  • Whirling Butterflies (Guara lindheimeri)
  • Water Garden, Cottage Garden
    		•
  • White Mugwort (Artemesia lactiflora)
  • Herb Garden, Oval Garden
    		•

    Late September

    what's blooming
    where to see it
  • Autumn Joy Sedum (Sedum 'Autumn Joy')
    		•
  • Oval Garden
    		•
  • Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis)
    		•
  • Cascades, Water Garden
    		•
  • Clara Curtis Mum (Chrysanthemem x rubellum 'Clara Curtis')
    		•
  • Oval Garden
    		•
  • Purple Dome Aster (Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' )
    		•
  • Oval Garden, Ornamental Grass Garden
    		•
  • Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
    		•
  • Inn, Water Garden
    		•
  • Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
  • Fragrance Garden, Shade Garden
    		•
  • Three-lobed Coneflower (Rudbeckia triloba)
  • Water Garden, Cottage Garden
    		•
  • Whirling Butterflies (Guara lindheimeri)
  • Water Garden, Cottage Garden
    		•

    October

    what's blooming
    where to see it
  • Ornamental Grasses
         Maiden Hair, Indian Grass, Feather Reed
    		•
  • Ornamental Grass Garden
    		•
  • Fall-colored Foliage
         Oak, Maple, Ash, Burning Bush, Sumac
    		•
  • Water Garden, Cottage Garden
    		•
  • Autumn Fruit
         Cranberrybush, Chokecherry, Hawthorn
    		•
  • Cascades, Wildflower Meadow, Deciduous Woodland

    • . . . November: Colors, Shapes, and Shadows . . .
    Pyracantha

    There's still color in The Gardens and this time of year also reveals fabulous shapes and shadows. And admission is free from November through April.

    Plan to walk off that Thanksgiving dinner and give thanks for the beauty of nature with a visit to The Gardens--open 365 days a year!

    What to See

    Where to See It

    Ornamental Grasses

    • Maiden Hair Grass
    • Indian Grass
    • Feather Reed Grass

    Ornamental Grass Garden, Oval Garden, Water Garden

    Fall Colored Foliage

    • Oak
    • Burning Bush
    • Pear
    • Cottonwood
    • Hawthorn

    Oval Garden, Main Pool area, Cascades, Deciduous Woodland

    Conifers

    • Pine
    • Spruce
    • Juniper
    • Fir

    Conifer Grove, Rock Garden, Garden Railroad, The Inn at Hudson Gardens, Hudson Residence

    Autumn Fruit

    • Cranberrybush
    • Chokecherry
    • Hawthorn
    • Pyracantha
    • Cotoneaster
    • Elder
    • Rose

    Wildflower Meadow, Deciduous Woodland, The Cascades, Cottage Garden,

    . . . December & January: Bright, Beautiful Landscape . . .
    Sculptures at The Gardens in Winter

    Take a break from winter indoors. Bring your holiday visitors and camera to The Gardens and enjoy intriguing shapes and shadows in the winter light.

    And admission is free from November through April.

    What to See

    Where to See It

    Ornamental Grasses

    • Maiden Hair Grass
    • Indian Grass
    • Feather Reed Grass

    Ornamental Grass Garden, Oval Garden, Water Garden

    Conifers

    • Pine
    • Spruce
    • Juniper
    • Fir

    Conifer Grove, Rock Garden, Garden Railroad, The Inn at Hudson Gardens, Hudson Residence

    Fruiting Trees and Shrubs

    • Cranberrybush
    • Chokecherry
    • Hawthorn
    • Pyracantha
    • Cotoneaster
    • Rose

    Wildflower Meadow, Deciduous Woodland, The Cascades, Cottage Garden,


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    The Hudson Gardens & Event Center
    6115 South Santa Fe Drive   |   Littleton, CO 80120
    Phone 303-797-8565   |   Fax 303-797-8647
    Email info@hudsongardens.org
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