Nestled in the breathtaking Colorado Rockies, Aspen is known for its majestic peaks, world-class skiing, and vibrant cultural scene. Beyond its snow-capped mountains, a lesser-known charm lies in its enchanting display of hanging baskets and summer flowers.
As the sun warms the valley, Aspen’s streets become a floral wonderland. The iconic hanging baskets, adorning lampposts, storefronts, and bridges, overflow with petunias, geraniums, and other colorful blossoms, adding charm to the town’s picturesque scenery.
The tradition of hanging baskets dates back to the late 1960s and early 1970s when Aspen’s tourism industry surged, fueled by skiing. Recognizing the need to enhance downtown’s appeal, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association initiated a program in 1970 to beautify streets with hanging flower baskets. Local businesses and residents supported the initiative, donating funds for flowers and materials.
Since then, the tradition has thrived. Each spring, volunteers and city workers plant and hang hundreds of baskets throughout downtown Aspen.
Beyond the hanging baskets, Aspen features a diverse array of summer flowers in parks, gardens, and private residences. From wildflowers along hiking trails to elaborate displays in public squares, botanical delights abound.
Visitors can stroll through the John Denver Sanctuary, where native plants thrive alongside streams, or explore the Aspen Institute’s meticulously landscaped grounds. Both locations offer a feast for the senses.
“The cool Aspen night temperatures and glorious sunny days are a perfect recipe for explosive blooms all summer long,” says Jillian Kops, head of Mountain Greenery in Basalt.
One of the most iconic displays is the Living Wall at The Little Nell, led by landscape designer Arabella Beavers-Kaplansky. Vibrant hues of red, pink, purple, and yellow contrast strikingly against the mountains. Beavers-Kaplansky places plants chosen for their color, durability, and ability to attract pollinators on a steel frame. The process begins early in the year, lining the frames with moss and planting seeds around a theme or design. By the time the wall is vertical, the flowers are in full bloom.
“It’s totally unique to The Little Nell, as it’s the only commercial outdoor living flower wall on display,” she says. “Each year, we create a different design with 998 individually placed plants. The wall system is self-watering and conserves water.”
Living walls also support health. “Indoor living walls can contain plant selections that clean indoor air pollution created by household items such as paint and carpet,” Kops adds.
Aspen’s summer flowers also support local ecosystems and wildlife. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds rely on these blooms for nectar and pollen, sustaining native species. By nurturing gardens filled with native plants, Aspen residents and businesses help preserve biodiversity in the region, supporting the Rockies’ natural splendor.
In a fast-paced world, Aspen’s floral displays offer a moment of respite, inviting visitors to slow down and appreciate life’s simple pleasures. Whether admiring a wildflower or inhaling the fragrance of a rose, these moments offer a sense of magic. In Aspen, where nature’s beauty abounds year-round, that magic is always within reach.