Stopping to Smell the Roses at Tizer Botanic Gardens & Arboretum

Tucked away in Montana's Elkhorn Mountains, where Prickly Pear Creek meanders through Jefferson City, you'll find something pretty special. Tizer Botanic Gardens & Arboretum is Montana's only official botanic garden in the western part of the state, and honestly, it's got quite a story. What started as a couple's backyard hobby has blossomed into a beloved destination that perfectly mixes natural beauty, learning opportunities, and good old-fashioned Montana charm.

The story of Tizer Gardens kicks off in 1997 when Richard Krott and Belva Lotzer discovered a little piece of heaven along Tizer Lake Road. What began as their personal backyard retreat turned into something much bigger when gardening became Richard's therapy during his cancer recovery. The couple couldn't resist spending more and more time outside, slowly building gardens along the creek and turning weedy patches into gorgeous displays of cosmos and other flowers.

People couldn't help but notice. By 2000, folks were showing up in their garden at all hours—some even wandering through in the middle of the night! (Imagine looking out your window and seeing strangers admiring your petunias at midnight.) Seeing how much joy their gardens brought to others, Richard and Belva decided to officially open their gates on weekends. And just like that, their private sanctuary became a place where everyone could find a little peace.

Word got around about what they were creating, and in 2004, the Jefferson Local Development Corporation named them "Entrepreneurs of the Year" for basically turning their backyard into a tourist destination—not bad for a retirement project! But the real game-changer came when they met Panayoti Keladis, the head plant curator at Denver Botanic Gardens. He convinced them to go for official recognition, and boom—they became Montana's only official Botanic Garden and Arboretum in the western part of the state.

This wasn't just a fancy title, either. In 2007, they landed a partnership with Denver Botanic Garden and Colorado State University's "Plant Select®" Program, making them Montana's only demonstration garden. The same year, the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs gave them the "Gardeners of the Year" award for the whole state. The accolades kept coming, including "Showcase Garden of the Year" in 2021—pretty impressive for what started as a backyard project.

Today, Tizer Gardens has grown into 14 different themed gardens, and each one tells its own story. Whether you're wandering through the peaceful Meditation Garden, breathing in the Rose Garden's sweet scents, or watching your kids discover something new in the Children's Garden, there's always something to explore. The Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden is a particular hit—there's something mesmerizing about watching those tiny dancers do their thing.

Speaking from experience, the gardens are absolutely magical for families. When we took our 7 and 9-year-old there, they were completely enchanted by all the little huts scattered throughout the property where they could sit and imagine their own adventures. The fairy garden was the real showstopper—both kids were captivated by the tiny details and whimsical touches that someone clearly spent a lot of time perfecting. What really got me was watching them naturally stop to smell the flowers throughout our walk. You know how kids usually race from one thing to the next? Not here. They actually took time to appreciate each bloom. And my 9-year-old daughter? She discovered a love for photography that day, stopping every few steps to capture her favorite plants and scenic spots with my phone. Worth every penny of the admission, honestly.

They call it a living classroom, and that's exactly what it is. Each garden teaches you something different about plants, ecology, and just how amazing the natural world can be. It's the kind of place where you can spend hours without realizing time has passed—which, let's be honest, doesn't happen very often these days.

The practical side hasn't been forgotten either. Half the property runs as a garden center with two greenhouses and all the supplies you'd need. They specialize in plants that can actually survive Montana's brutal winters—high-altitude, cold-hardy varieties that won't give up when the temperature drops. Whether you need trees, shrubs, flowers, or just some good advice from people who actually know what they're talking about, they've got you covered.

One of the coolest features is the 140-year-old homesteader cabin that Richard and Belva restored back in 1999. Today, it's a popular spot for weddings, giving couples that rustic Montana vibe for their big day. But here's the really fun part—there's a tiny cabin sitting on an island right in the middle of Prickly Pear Creek. You can actually rent it through Vrbo and fall asleep to the sound of water flowing on both sides. Talk about a unique getaway! (Though I'd probably worry about sleepwalking.)

Over the years, they've hosted all sorts of events: the "Things with Wings" Festival, Scarecrow Festivals, and the super popular Fairy and Wizard Children's Festival. While some have come and gone, they still do Shakespeare in the Garden and various seasonal celebrations that bring the community together. There's something pretty special about watching Hamlet performed with actual garden roses as a backdrop.

The gardens faced a big change in 2021 when Richard passed away, but Belva and her dedicated team of staff and volunteers have kept his vision growing strong. You can tell when you visit that this isn't just a business—it's a labor of love. Every corner shows the care and attention that goes into maintaining something this special.

What makes Tizer Gardens stand out isn't just the pretty flowers or the wall of awards (though both are impressive). It's the reminder that sometimes the most meaningful things start small—in someone's backyard, born from a need to heal and grow. Richard and Belva's story proves that when you follow your passion and share it with others, you can create something that touches lives and builds community, one bloom at a time.

In our crazy, fast-paced world, places like Tizer Gardens offer something we all desperately need: a chance to slow down, breathe deep, and remember what really matters. As they say on their website, it's their "little piece of paradise"—and thankfully, they're happy to share it with anyone who walks through their gates. Trust me, it's worth the drive.