The 32-Acre Idaho Garden HGTV Is Calling The Most Beautiful In The State

If you have a garden or are a plant and flower enthusiast who hasn't taken the plunge into your own garden yet, visiting public gardens can be a great way to get new ideas. These beautiful places give you the chance to see how professional gardeners put certain plants together, utilize garden space efficiently, and create eye-catching views you may want to replicate in your own garden. There are tons of public gardens across the United States to explore. If you want something for your bucket list, though, HGTV featured an article on the most beautiful garden in every state that highlights some amazing gardens like Lotusland, the 37-acre California garden that features over 3,500 stunning plant varieties, and Crosby Arboretum, the stunning Mississippi garden with 700 acres and thriving wildlife. In Boise, Idaho, the Idaho Botanical Garden was the garden that received the distinguished title of the most beautiful garden in Idaho from HGTV. Once you see it, you'll know why.

If you're a history buff, you may appreciate the fact that the Idaho Botanical Garden (IBG) was built on the site of the old Idaho State Penitentiary. The gardens were created in 1984 on the 32-acre former prison site. When it first opened, the founders of the garden created nature trails to enjoy and set up two acres that included three specialty gardens: the Rose Garden, the Meditation Garden, and the Herb Garden. Since those humble beginnings, the Idaho Botanical Garden has expanded and flourished, featuring 14 themed gardens, special plant collections to explore, a variety of classes and programs for adults and kids, live music events, and other special events that take place year-round.

There are a variety of specialty gardens to enjoy when visiting the Idaho Botanical Garden, including one of the garden's oldest: the Rose Garden. Here you can see a variety of new and vintage roses in an old-fashioned atmosphere, along with several perennials. The English Garden is another favorite, opened in 1998, featuring more than 1,300 perennials, the beautiful Summer House that is made of Tablerock sandstone, and a lovely, unique wrought-iron and copper weathervane. Also in the English Garden is the Princess Diana Fountain, created and dedicated to the memory of Princess Diana of Wales.

If you have the kids along for this peaceful and educational garden tour, they will love the Children's Garden, where they can crawl, jump, and run. Hollow logs make the perfect place for little ones to crawl through, or they can check out the tree house. The unique fountain sculpture named 'Boy in the Swing' is in the fountain that is home to a variety of tree frogs, tadpoles, and other wildlife. In the Kitchen Garden, the kids can learn all about caring for vegetables, fruits, and edible flowers — like these edible flowers you can grow in a jar in your kitchen. Other specialty gardens include the Herb Garden, the Meditation Garden, the Vegetable Garden, the Idaho Native Plant Garden, and the Lewis and Clark Native Plant Garden. As of this writing, there are 14 specialty gardens throughout the Idaho Botanical Garden's property.

Idaho Botanical Garden offers many educational classes and workshops throughout the year for all ages. From youth camps to pre-k programs to school field trips, there are plenty of opportunities to learn something new at IBG. There are classes for the adults, too, with more than 20 classes and workshops held each year on many different topics. A few of the past courses have included how to grow vegetables, how to help the pollinators in your area, and even a class on basic gardening techniques. Workshops typically have a theme; a few examples of past themes include making your own terrarium or wreath, painting, learning about soil health, and even how to reconnect with nature.

Events are a fun time at the Idaho Botanical Garden, offering a variety of additional ways to enjoy this garden, from the fun Scarecrow Stroll to the annual Harvest Fest, and the highly anticipated Winter Garden aGlow, where you can enjoy hot chocolate, free cookies, and thousands of lights. The kids can write letters to Santa and enjoy the Gingerbread House Exhibit as well. If you want to enjoy all the IBG has to offer on a regular basis, you can become a paid member and receive pre-sale and discounted tickets to concerts, discounts on classes, events, and camps, and get free general admission to the Gardens all year long.