Six Breathtaking Flower Destinations in Montana

Whether it’s the spring wildflowers that grow on the hillsides or the colorful flowers of local gardens, Montana is rife with beautiful floral splendor.

Seeing Montana’s flowers up close will take your breath away. So, for the most incredible flora in the state, make sure you visit the following six amazing destinations.

1. The National Bison Range and Other Locations in Montana

For breathtaking wildflowers, drive around the open slopes, ridges, and low-elevation grasslands of Montana during the month of May to see the infamous arrowleaf balsamroot transform the state’s landscape.

The gorgeous yellow flowers particularly transform western Montana’s hillsides during the springtime and they can grow up to three feet tall.

Once upon a time, tribal nations used the arrowleaf balsamroot as food and medicine.

The best place to see the flowers is at the National Bison Range around May. 

2. Montana Arboretum and Gardens

Although relatively small, the Montana Arboretum and Gardens in Bozeman feature many native plants that grow in the north Rocky region and the drier parts of the state.

Located at the northwestern corner of the Montana State University campus, you will discover many established specimens of trees and the beautiful flower-filled Xeriscape garden.

Springtime is the ideal time to visit the gardens, as you will find numerous beautiful spring flowers, but the arboretum and gardens are worth visiting any time of the year. 

3. Old Lexington Stamp Mill and Gardens

In Butte, you will find the city’s first stamp mill, which dates from 1867. Surrounding the mill are beautiful gardens with various plants and flowers.

The Old Lexington Gardens are most well-known for the re-creation of a floral butterfly, which was originally in Butte from 1899 to 1973. 

4. Memorial Rose Garden

Located in Missoula is the Memorial Rose Garden, which serves as a memorial to the casualties and veterans of modern wars and conflicts that the United States has been involved with.

The beautiful and inspiring garden contains over 2,500 colorful rose bushes. They tend to begin blooming in mid-spring. 

5. Glacier National Park

While Glacier National Park is most well-known for its wide variety of coniferous trees, such as the Douglas fir, the Engelmann spruce, and the western larch, it also contains some of Montana’s most beautiful wildflowers. 

You’ll find dense human-tall beargrass plants in late May in the lower country and into August in the higher country, although beargrass only blooms every five to ten years. 

But if you visit Glacier National Park in the summer months, you can find a variety of flowers, including the Indian Paintbrush, which has rich scarlet or yellow hues. You can also locate them in the subalpine meadows and mountainous slopes of Montana. 

6. Tizer Botanic Gardens and Arboretum

The top destination for a wide variety of glorious flowers in Montana all year round is undoubtedly Tizer Botanic Gardens and Arboretum, in the heart of the Elkhorn Mountains of Jefferson City.

You can see beautiful roses, annuals, wildflowers, perennials, herbs, and vegetables in some extraordinary settings.

There are several gardens to visit. Kids will love the fairy and gnome garden. In fact, moms and dads will too. You will also want to check out the sheltered secret garden and the serene Buddha garden.