Visitors are welcome, but call ahead for directions and permission!
North of Dodge
BREMER,Rollie & Jacque
13417 Corby Circle, Omaha To arrange a tour call 402-498-9443
The Bremer's Sunridge Garden is an American Hemerocallis Society registered daylily display grden. Over 400 varieties of named daylilies are labeled and on display as well as over 200 other perennials and annuals. New introductions are added to the collection yearly. The garden was on the Munroe Meyer Garden Walk in 2005.
IWEN, Duane and Linda, 5419 Parker 933-5419
Shade plantings and container gardening
NOTRE DAME AND SEVEN OAKS 3501 State Street, Omaha, N - Ask for Sister Marly Beth Kubesh 455-2994 This lovely garden has an extensive collection of hardy roses including both Buck and Canadian varieties, plus other plantings.
SMITH, Don, 10205 No 29th Ct. Noroaks Addition 455-2600 Shade gardens in the woods and more. Interested in tree conservation.
SWANSON, Don and Joan, 6336 No. 105 Ave 493-5986 Roses, roses and perennials
South of Dodge
BOGGS, Alice, 4016 So 23rd St 734-0232 Contains different & unusual flowers, pond and something all seasons.
Eckley, Anita & Mike; 1507 Lawrence Lane, Bellevue, NE 68005 291-9651 This garden starts the season off in spring with a wonderful display of tulips and daffodils followed by many different roses. The Eckleys grow over 322 rose varieties, and have almost six varieties of hardy climbing roses. The landscaping and terracing tame a hilly yard. Since you are in Bellevue, you should spend an extra five minute of travel and visit the 190’x 9’ Trellis, part of the EARTH-KIND® Rose Research Project, where 264 roses make a setting for both weddings and events. Tours of the Bellevue Gardens can be included.
VAL JEAN AND DAVE HANSEN 2207 Glenwood Ave, Papillion, 291-4049 Our daylily garden is a hybridizer's garden, where all the plants are not dead-headed daily. We have 250 clumps of named daylilies and over 2,000 seedlings, which some will be blooming this year and others that were just planted on April 1, 2005. While the plants are in the ground here at our new home for the second growing season, they appear to be adjusting from good black soil to hard pan clay very well. Please phone ahead so we are at home when you visit.
Jeffers, Kathy; 5706 South 173rd Ave, Omaha, NE 894-1934 This master gardener has turned a suburban yard into a garden oasis which includes a pond and many unusual perennials.
LANGABEE, Bob and Joanne, 407 N 3rd St, Bellevue 734-4218 A water feature in the front, many different shade plants on the side. In the back, a pond with a stream, over 30 ornamental grasses, roses, a rock garden, cactus garden and more. Behind the back yard is a pasture where the vegetable garden is found. In the spring many bulbs are in bloom.
SEBEK, Joel, 2411 So 126 330-8309 Enter garden following stepping stones to right side of garage. There you'll find a patio outlined with potted caladiums, small fish pond and interesting array of plants. Angel gates open with stepping stones leading to cypress trail behind pine trees. Trail is outlined with cedar posts and other perennials. Grasses adorn various area. You'll find a small bridge and stream effect and many exciting garden appointments everywhere. Check out the egrets bouncing in the wind, the frog and an angel in swings; gazing balls, cat swinging from a branch; a little red pump and much more. Come join the avid garden fans!
YOUNG, Valerie, 914 South 131st St 334-5710 Many perennials, 2 ponds with a meandering stream and Colorado Fields.
Out of Town Gardens
FERGUSON, Chuck & Mary; 308 North Pine St, Norfolk, NE
HOsta and Iris. Over 350 varieties of solomon's seal, daisies, ferns, campanula, bleeding heart, clematis, variety of shrubs and tres including an old Star Magnolia. An ancient grape arbor with 8 - 10 varieties shading the south side of yard shelters many hosta. Tall bearded iris, daylilies. Visitors are always welcome.
HANCOCK, Richard and Patty, RR2, 2525 CRC, Tekamah, NE 68061 402-456-7782
The Hancock Farms Nebraska Statewide Arboretumn Landscape Design Site. Peonies, daylilies, lilies, roses, hosta, variety of trees, and shrubs. Registered Backyard Habitat and butterfly garden
HICKS, Gary; 17952 Pioneer Trail, Plattsmouth, NE 402-298-8694
A log cabin house surrounded by an acre of gardens. Lots of shade loving plants including a collection of over 125 kinds of hostas, daylilies, peonies, lilacs, single and double wild flowers, a 9 foot leather leaf viburnum, 10 foot high cranberries, and May apples, plus different varieties of trees. Call ahead in the evening for direcitons.
11 1/2 miles North of Hwy 275 & 15. Garden perennials. Daylily Festival. Field grown plants for dry conditions, water gardens, grasses, hostas, iberis, peonies, phlox, rudbeckia, salvia, sedum, violas, yucca and lots more to see. It is well worth the drive to see this garden.
OAKCREST GARDENS, 22871 Kane Ave,. Glenwood, IA 527-4974
Owned by John & Phyllis Randall. Call ahead for directions. Hosta, many unusual sunny perennials, ornamental shrubs, annuals, over 50 varieties of shade plants in naturalized woodland setting. Herbs, fern garden, supplies for your garden. There is something for every gardener.
Public Gardens and Nature Areas
AAS Display Garden at Fort Omaha open for tours
Local garden clubs are invited to visit the All-America Selections Display Garden at the Fort Omaha Campus of Metropolitan Community College, a project of the Men’s Garden Club. It’s not too late; the floral and vegetable offerings are still looking very good.
As you prepare your programs for next year, keep the garden in mind. As our big plant sale coincides with planting season, the garden preparation continues into late May. By late June it looks good; in July and August it’s tremendous.
The garden gate is never locked and the campus is never closed, so you may walk through it at any time. Should you want at guided tour for your group, we would be happy to assist you. Please contact Ralph Peppard at 453-8730 or Repeppard@aol.com.
ALLWINE PRAIRIE PRESERVE, 144th and State St.
Call Dr. Tom Bragg at 554-3378 for directions and information. 160 acres, re-established. Grasslands, lowland wetlands, ponds, marshes. 125 species identified of woody and herbaceous plants. Used for prairie and wildlife study by UNO. (Note: Prairies may not always be open to the public. It requires a lot of walking.)
BAYLISS PARK, 6th and Main, Council Bluffs, IA
Annuals, specimen trees, color water fountain.
HAWORTH PARK, Payne Dr, Bellevue, NE Haworth Park is the site of the largest EARTH-KIND® Test site in the Midwest. Haworth is located in the Missouri Riverfront and consists of the developed Haworth site, the Kramer site and the extended forested and prairie areas south to the Platte. There are 264 rose cultivars located at the EARTH-KIND® Rose Research Project in Haworth Park. The trellis stands 146’ x 9.’ The trellis project has been made possible by a generous grant from the Douglas/Sarpy County Master Gardeners and the collaborative efforts of Omaha Rose Society. Several other garden clubs pitched in to “raise the trellis.” Last spring the 30 replicated hardy climbers put on quite a show in mid-May. Furthermore, the help of the hard-working Park employees made the gardens happen. For more information please contact Kathleen Cue kcue2@unl.edu or Anita Eckley, EARTH-KIND® Specialist.
National Recognition:The Trellis Garden has been the site of the recognition from the American Rose Society of the awarding of Bellevue as An American Rose City. The National Research for the planting process and the National Recognition of the American Rose Society celebrate the sustainable gardening and planting process.
Everett Park on Betz Road; Bellevue, NE
Everett Park has 42 different cultivars of pre-test roses for EARTH-KIND Roses. They were planted Mah 4, 2009. Many of the roses are ones that have not been introduced to the public yet but will be in the near futrue. There will also be 3 additional perennial beds planted in the spring os 2010.
MEMORIAL GARDEN
6005 Underwood
In 1959, the Omaha Rose Society planted a rose garden north of the colonnade. The club planted 200 bushes. By 1963, more than 1,800 rose bushes graced the garden. Today, the Rose Garden is among the most popular features of the park.
The garden is an All-American Rose Society Garden of which there are about 195 in the country and only two or three in the state of Nebraska. As such, test roses are sent annually to the City to plant - about nine each of two or three types. There are 65 to 70 weddings on average per year in the garden.
MOUNT VERNON GARDENS, 13th & Y Sts., Omaha
A replica of George Washington's formal gardens overlooks the Missouri River at a site passed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804.
FONTENELLE FOREST, 1111 N Bellevue Blvd., Bellevue
Walking trails wind among wooded hills, lush green hollows, streams, and wetlands. Wildlife watching is popular. Two barrier-free boardwalks offer interpretive labels and are accessible to physically challenged visitors and those pushing baby stroller. The slope located on the south side of the parking lot is devoted to Nebraska native plants. The theme here is very much a prairie garden
NEALE WOODS NATURE CENTER, 14323 Edith Marie Ave. Omaha
Miles of hiking trails lace the woods and prairie. Astronomy programs are offered at the Neale Woods Millard Observatory, and nature programs are avialable for all ages. The Interpretive Center features exhibits, live animals, and a seasonal butterfly garden.
HEARTLAND OF AAMERICA PARK, 8th and Douglas Sts.Omaha
The park's lake features the Heartland of America fountain with its 300 foot water jet and light show. The garden provides a good "how-to" for wet areas. Rains and frequent irrigation makes this a moisture-laden garden. The combination of trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials add to the beauty of the park.
HENRY DOORLY ZOO
The gardens within the Zoo are maintained by the Douglas/Sarpy Master Gardeners. The first is located to the north of the prairie dog area. Zoo visitors will see a demonstration of many Nebraska native plants including a small plot of buffalo grass. The second garden is the bermed area located next to the sundial on the north end of the zoo. When the Master Gardeners took on this area, the berm was planted with only trees and shrubs. They have greatly improved the site with the addition of spring-flowering bulbs, hosta, vinca, iris and many more perennials. They also have bronze sculptures.
LAURITZEN GARDENS, OMAHA'S BOTANICAL CENTER
After seeing the development of Lauritzen Gardens' 100-acres property, some visitors find it hard to believe we are such a young institution. Although there are undeveloped portions of the property and evolution of the gardens will continue for many years to come, there is much to observe and enjoy today. A walk or tram ride through Lauritzen Gardens is definitely a multi-sensory experience for all ages. It includes the following gardens: Arboretum and bird sanctuary, arrival and parking gardens, children's garden, festival garden, founders garden, garden of the glen, herb garden, rose garden, song of the lark meadow, spring flowering walk, Victorian garden, woodland waterfall, and woodland trail.
EASTERN NEBRASKA 4-h CENTER
This garden located near Gretna is used as a teaching tool for 4-H youth. Attractions include a butterfly garden, a prairie, bluebird nesting houses and a pond.
SUMP MEMORIAL LIBRARY GARDEN, 222 N Jefferson Street, Papillion
The neatly clipped lawn showcases Russian sage, daylilies, pitcher sage, gaillardia, shrub roses and coneflowers. A newly installed butterfly garden is sure to please.
DOUGLAS/SARPY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 8015 West Center
What once was planted solely in Bradford pear and rug junipers has been renovated to include tree lilacs, Shantung maples, ginkgoes, shrubs, ornamental grasses, bulbs and numberous perennial flowers.
DOUGLAS COUNTY HOSPITAL GROUNDS, 42nd & Woolworth
You name it, it's probably here. These extensive grounds have room for both shade and sun plants. This garden is outstanding in late summer/early fall when the ornamental grasses and late season perennials are in bloom.
ELMWOOD PARK GROTTO, 60th & Leavenworth (south of the Elmwood Park pavillion). The elmwood Grotto and Springs date back to the late 19th century. In 1947, the spring water was deemed unsafe to drink and the water spigots were shut off. In 1999, the Peter Kiewit Foundation donated $1,000,000 to renovate the grotto. Now a new water feature contains seven streams of water coming out of boulders, representing the seven original spigots. New plantings and rockwork have given new life to the grotto and it is often reserved for weddings and family reunions.
HANSCOM PARK FLOWER GARDENS, 32 nd & Woolworth, Omaha's oldest remaining park, dates back to the 1880's. Pine trees are planted on the northwest side of the park. The gardens, which contain an attractive mix of cannas, geraniums, coleus and other annuals, are designed and installed every spring by the City's greenhouse staff. An interpretive sign is installed, utilizing historic photos, to show visitors the early days of the gardens. The city greenhouses, where the annuals for the city's public floral displays are produced, are located to the south of the gardens.
GERALD R. FORD BIRTHSITE, 32nd & Woolworth
Just across the street to the north from Hanscom Park flower gardens, is the Gerald R. Ford Birthsite. This public park includes the Betty Ford Rose Garden, another popular venue for weddings and events
