If traveling to Juneau, Alaska, Glacier Gardens, in Tongass National Forest is a must-see.
By Julia Milano
On a recent trip to Alaska, I had the pleasure of visiting Glacier Gardens. Located in the Tongass National Forest, the Gardens are a privately owned and lovingly developed botanical garden at the foot of Thunder Mountain. Situated on the outskirts of Juneau they were created by local landscaper Steve Bowhay who acquired the land in 1985 after a landslide demolished and uprooted almost everything on the face of the mountain including a major stream.
Bowhay wanted to harness the water for a hydroelectricity plant to power new greenhouses and began extensive work with land-moving equipment to rebuild the stream. Observing the huge, uprooted trees on the property, he began to think about the exposed root systems as planters or hanging baskets but on a massive scale and he inverted 20 other deceased spruce and hemlock trees to create “Flower Towers.” Netting and moss form a bed in the center of the tree’s root ball providing the perfect container for brilliantly colorful begonias, fuchsias, and petunias in addition to other plants and flowers.
The Flower Towers are a breathtaking explosion of vibrant and multi-hued blossoms cascading over huge tree trunks amid a lush rainforest. The grounds are also home to rhododendrons, azaleas, Japanese maples, devil’s club, and elderberry shrubs.
Shuttles bring visitors to a boardwalk at the top of Thunder Mountain offering scenic views of the beautiful city of Juneau. American Bald Eagles have built a nest on top of the mountain and are often seen soaring nearby, foraging for food to feed their young. Should you ever find yourself in the great Northwest, be sure to visit this unique and splendorous attraction.
Master Gardener, Julia Milano, volunteers with GC Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service. Master Gardeners pool skills and resources to improve home horticulture, stimulate interest in plants and gardening, and encourage beautification. For more info, 501-623-6841 or adykes@uaex.edu.
