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Beautiful Gardens

There are some spectacular private gardens around the Twin Cities. We discover several each year in our Beautiful Gardens contest. From October to April, we'll bring you into one Beautiful Garden a month.

Last updated March 29, 2024 - 3:24 PM

Champlin duo's massive garden grows into a budding business — and Beautiful Gardens winner

March 29, 2024 - 7:30 AM

Yee Lee blossoms in her love for gardening while Bryan Johnsen is rooted in his love for building and landscaping.

A Minnesota florist's Beautiful Gardens winner is picture-perfect for weddings

January 26, 2024 - 7:30 AM

Florist and Beautiful Gardens winner Diana Weissenfluh has hosted weddings on her picture-perfect Zimmerman property.

A tiny house with a giant garden feeds many mouths in Minneapolis

December 22, 2023 - 9:12 AM

Star Tribune Beautiful Gardens winner Jean Clough has wildflowers growing in the front and vegetables in the back. A meadow is dedicated to George Floyd.

Hopkins couple combine talents for Beautiful Gardens win

November 17, 2023 - 7:30 AM

Bette takes the lead on the flowers, Curt the bonsais.

Skol! Beautiful Garden winners' landscape includes Vikings-themed patch

October 21, 2023 - 1:39 PM

The Mankato garden that Sue and Bob Olson have created over the course of 24 years is a reflection of their life, good and bad.

Announcing the 6 winners of the 2023 Star Tribune Beautiful Gardens contest

July 29, 2023 - 8:24 AM

Varying in size, variety and purpose, these six gardens offer beauty and inspiration.

Beautiful Gardens winner creates vibrant English cottage garden in south Minneapolis

April 07, 2023 - 8:29 AM

Sandy Mangel's garden on a corner lot in Minneapolis is a day brightener for passersby.

• Beautiful Gardens winner on Wisconsin lake is 'an artwork in constant progress'

  February 25, 2023 - 9:59 PM

  An awe-inspiring garden offers themed areas that speak their own language.

• 'Outrageous' Beautiful Gardens winner brings Wonderland to Coon Rapids

  January 14, 2023 - 3:47 PM

  A garden based on the classic storybook "Alice in Wonderland" aims to transport visitors to another world.

• This Betty serves pie — and a whole lot more — from her St. Paul garden

  December 17, 2022 - 2:29 PM

  Beautiful Gardens contest winner Betty Lotterman's St. Paul garden is one of abundance and serves the greater good.

• Roseville garden with ginkgo forests and rare plants offers 'series of puzzles'

  November 18, 2022 - 8:47 AM

  Beautiful Gardens winner is a testament to Chuck Levine's lifelong dedication to plants.

• For Andover gardener and Beautiful Gardens winner, it's hosta la vida, baby

  October 15, 2022 - 9:49 PM

  The self-taught gardener has more than 160 hostas registered with the American Hosta Society — just one part of the expansive gardens at his home.

• Minnesota 'saint' gardener uses plant sales to transform lives of youngsters in Tanzania

  March 19, 2021 - 8:39 AM

  Roseville nurse and her plant sales support a school that is raising a nation in Tanzania.

• Retired wrestling coach creates a garden of bountiful blooms in St. Cloud

  January 18, 2020 - 3:36 PM

  After the self-taught horticultural expert retired as St. John's University's longtime wrestling coach, he became its landscape manager.

• St. Paul garden features landscaped living rooms – one in the center of a pond

  November 16, 2018 - 4:04 PM

  A small St. Paul backyard boasts various spots for relaxing — including one in the center of a pond.

• Minnetonka garden has many moods — and a winning design

  October 19, 2018 - 3:54 PM

  A Minnetonka garden is a study in contrasts, from rugged native plants in front to manicured, formal "rooms" in back.

• Beauty secrets and shortcuts of an artfully composed garden in St. Paul

  March 24, 2018 - 4:31 PM

  A mishap inspired a St. Paul woman to create — and refine — her artfully composed garden.

• Couple create a European-style garden paradise in Waconia

  January 20, 2018 - 1:22 PM

  Inspired by living overseas, a couple created a European-style paradise in Waconia.

• Beautiful Gardens: Secret garden grows in unlikely setting in Eagan

  April 23, 2016 - 10:29 AM

  An Eagan couple transformed a small "useless space" in their backyard into an enchanted retreat.

• Beautiful Gardens: Dellwood yard is for the birds

  March 21, 2016 - 10:27 AM

  A diverse garden in Dellwood is a paradise of blooms and habitat.