Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Garden

It may not be very big – 52 acres – but it’s overflowing with beauty…the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Garden.

Peony

My friend and I met in Dubuque, Iowa for our annual get together. Dubuque is a lovely river town. It has a scenic river walk along the Mississippi River, a wonderful botanical garden and thrift stores.

Peony

Dubuque met our criteria for a meeting place: water, gardens and thrift & antique stores.

Lupine
Lupine

The day we went to the botanical garden was dreamy. An ideal temperature, bright blue skies with no clouds in sight.

One of the garden sculptures: Germination.

Dubuque is five hours farther south than Northfield, and there were many plants blooming in Iowa that were not blooming in Minnesota yet. There were peonies and lupines and iris’ in their full array.

Iris
Iris
Iris
Iris

In the botanical garden there was an herb garden, a shade garden, an English garden, a Japanese garden, a prairie garden, a rose garden (not in bloom yet), annuals, perennials, peonies, iris’ and lupines, a children’s area, sculptures, trees, lots of benches and green, green, grass.

The Japanese Garden

So much packed into those 52 acres.

The shade garden.
Striking sun pattern on the gazebo.

The arb is convenient and close to town. And has free admission.

Peony
Bleeding Heart

They also boast the arboretum & garden is run entirely by volunteers. It’s a young arboretum…established in 1980.

Peony
Peony

We spent our morning meandering, and sitting on the benches, and smelling the flowers, enjoying ourselves in this beautiful setting, marveling at God’s creation.

Lupine
The Tin Man in an annual garden, with more displays in other annual beds featuring characters from The Wizard of Oz.

And we were grateful.

Peony

12 thoughts on “Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Garden”

  1. What a beautiful place…and even thrift stores! Couldn’t ask for more. Looks like a perfect place to reconnect with a friend!

    1. It is a good meeting spot for us and there is plenty more to do in Dubuque. We will meet there again sometime I’m sure.

    1. Dubuque offers a lot for a smaller river town.
      I think a return trip for you and Randy is in order!

  2. What beautiful photographs you’ve taken of the wide array of flowers at the Dubuque Arboretum! I’ll have to make a trip down there sometime. We love to go to the MN Arb a few times each year. In July I’m meeting four friends from Olivia that I’ve know for over 40 years. We do a day trip each year and so missed not seeing each other last year. Next time I’m in Nfld., I’ll have to stop by and see your beautiful garden. I remember you had quite the green thumb!

    1. Thanks Shirley. You would enjoy a trip there.
      Do stop by next time you’re in Northfield.

  3. Looks wonderful Valerie👏👏 would have liked to walk along with you there and enjoyed all those beautiful flowers🥰 I have never seen Irises mike those on your photos here, amazing🥰

    1. It would be great fun to walk through the arb with you Kari, and enjoy all the flowers.
      Hope all is well. We sure miss being able to come to Norway again this summer. ;-(

Comments are closed.