Madison in Bloom – Here are five pretty places to see spring flowers blooming in Madison…
Once you emerge from the gray and gloom of winter, head outside to enjoy the sunshine, rising temperatures, and spring flowers blooming all over the city. Here are our favorite places to see the pretty spring flowers blooming in Madison.
Wisconsin State Capitol
The gardens surrounding the magnificent Wisconsin State Capitol building are widely known as one of the most pretty places to see spring flowers in Madison. Starting in early spring, tens of thousands of tulips bloom, bringing a wave of dynamic color to the square. Peak blooming will depend on the weather, but you’ll probably see the best tulips in April and May. You can wander around the Capitol all summer long and see the collections of different flowers throughout the season.
Allen Centennial Garden
620 Babcock Drive
Madison, Wisconsin
Escape to Allen Centennial Garden, located in the heart of the UW campus, and enjoy the peace and beauty of spring flowers and changing colors and textures throughout the summer. The garden is open to the public from dawn to dusk and completely free! Well-behaved dogs on a leash can join you on walks along the paths. Please note that there are no bathrooms in Allen Centennial Garden, but adjacent buildings on campus are open to the public. Make sure that check out their website for upcoming events or live music performances. Spring bulbs peak in May and annuals/perennials peak in July and August.
Longenecker Gardens
Seminole Highway 1207
Madison, Wisconsin
As one of three separate garden collections of the UW Arboretum, Longenecker Gardens boasts one of the largest lilac displays in North America, featuring many plantings that have survived since 1935. New selections are added every year, so there is always something fresh to discover. Garden tours are organized in spring, summer and autumn. To see what will bloom throughout the season, download the Longenecker Gardens map.
Botanical Garden in Olbrich
3330 Atwood Ave
Madison, Wisconsin
No conversation about flowers in Madison would be complete without them Botanical Garden in Olbrich. Open year-round, the 16-acre outdoor gardens truly come alive each spring. Stroll through specialist gardens such as the Perennial Garden, Sunken Garden and Herb Garden. Bolz Conservatory, a 15-meter-high solar glass pyramid housing a collection of tropical plants, orchids and birds. (Please note that the Bolz Conservatory is closed from March 11 to June 14, 2024.) Spring bulbs peak in May and annual/perennial bulbs peak in July and August.
Take a walk!
Who said that the only spring flowers you can enjoy are those planted in flower beds? Wisconsin’s hiking trails boast a variety of spring flowers. Although the Wisconsin wildflower blooming season will vary by region, in the Madison area, blooms should begin as early as April and continue through May and June. To enjoy Madison’s wildflower prairies, visit Pheasant Branch Nature Reserve. It’s called one of the most pretty hikes in the state and offers panoramic views of the Capitol building and the Madison skyline.
Make your plan, pack your picnic basket and get ready to get out and enjoy spring flowers this season!
