2024 Plant Walk - Arboretum at Fairmount Cemetery

Register Here 

Founded in 1890, Fairmount Cemetery was the largest developed landscape west of the Mississippi at the time, and is the largest arboretum in Colorado, with 74 species of trees growing throughout the grounds. 

Designed by landscape architect Reinhardt Schuetze, Fairmount was planned to resemble a park.  In 1891 Schuetze planted 4,050 trees, 220 evergreens, 100 “large” trees, 200 vines and creepers, 1920 shrubs, 380 roses (all kinds) and 585 herbaceous plants for a total of 7455 plants! 

Schuetze worked and lived at Fairmount until 1894 when the City of Denver hired him to develop the Denver parks system, including City, Washington, and Cheeseman Parks.  He also designed the CO State Capitol grounds. It is home to numerous Notable and Champion Trees, as well as one of the largest known collections of Old Garden Roses. 

This 280-acre park and cemetery is a designated Wildlife Viewing area by CO Parks and Wildlife.  It is home to deer, foxes and numerous species of birds.  It is also home to many famous CO families.  Fairmount’s graves read like the who’s who of Colorado history: 19 governors, 11 U.S. senators, notable war heroes, educational pioneer Emily Griffith, philanthropist Helen Bonfils, the Boettcher family, Brown family, jazz musician George Keith, major league baseball player James Moore and so many others.  

The Plant Walk is free to attend, but registration is required. Sign up here.

Optional happy hour drinks to follow at Denver Beer Co. Lowry - 7070 E Lowry Blvd., Denver, CO  80230 (cash bar & food)

We thank our sponsors: