About this trip

Join the Northwest Horticultural Society and your NHS Host Sue Goetz for a garden tour exploring Denver’s distinctive landscapes and those of the surrounding areas. Set against the Rocky Mountains and a semi-arid climate, Denver’s gardens offer a fascinating contrast to the lush landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.

Our tour will showcase a collection of private and public gardens—from small urban gardens and beautifully designed residential landscapes to expansive public gardens and horticultural destinations including the Denver Botanic Gardens. We’ll hear from expert local horticulturists about water-wise gardening, climate-resilient planting, native and adapted plants, ornamental grasses, perennial borders, and gardens designed to thrive in high-mountain sun, limited rainfall, and dramatic seasonal changes. Along the way, we’ll discover how gardeners use thoughtful design, regional plants, and innovative techniques to create beautiful, sustainable landscapes that are both practical and inspiring. 

Your Host for the tour is NHS board member, Sue Goetz. Sue Goetz, CPH, ecoPRO, is an award-winning garden designer, writer, and speaker. Through her business, she works with clients to personalize outdoor spaces, from garden coaching to complete landscape design. Writing and speaking are other ways Sue shares her love for the garden by offering seminars and hands-on workshops. She is also a published author of three books on growing and using herbs.

You will also be accompanied by tour manager Cindy Beley. Cindy lives in Colorado has a deep love for all of nature. Over the past several years, Cindy has fit in as many garden tours as possible to gather inspiration and new ideas. Cindy and her husband raised their children in the foothills near Denver, and when they retired, moved “down” to 7,400 feet to make life a little easier.