From May to October, the DanWalt Gardens offers visitors some of the most beautiful flower collections in the state of Montana.
With a huge selection of perennials zoned specifically for Billings, Montana climate, the dazzling irises, hostas, amaranths, dahlias, asters, tulips, hyacinths, and many other flowers fill the garden with vivid shades of splendor.
Come visit for an hour or all day for a taste of blooming paradise.
Important Details for DanWalt Gardens
The beautiful gardens are open to the public seasonally from May to October, with special events the rest of the year. To visit the blooming paradise, check the information below to find hours, location, and ticket prices.
- Location: 720 Washington Street, Billings, MT 59101
- Website: https://danwaltgardens.com/
- Phone number: 406.248.4003
- Open Hours: 9 a.m. – 6p.m.
- Season: May – October
- Private event season: November to April
- Fees: Adults (13+) $7.50, Children (12 & under) free
- Garden Tour Fees: Groups 8+ adults for $10 each
- Discounts: Memorial day discount of 50% for veterans and active military
- Parking: Free parking on site
History of DanWalt Gardens and Home
Owned from the 1880s by the Jost/Jellison family, the DanWalt Gardens grounds in located in the Yellowstone River fertile flood plain. The land used to be a 10-acre vegetable farm, but as the family grew and times changed, parcels of the land were sold off.
In the mid-1990s, Dan Jellison and Walt Williams lived in the house in the north portion of the land on one acre and decided they should convert the land into gardens after so much time as grassy lands for cattle. They planted small crops and flowers and enjoyed the space greatly – sparking an idea.
In 1996, the pair hosted a thank-you dinner in their backyard and garden for the Mental Health Center’s May Clay Day volunteers, drawing attention to the gardens by the Billings community.
Later that same year, they started participating in the Moss Mansion Garden Tours, with their gardens as one of the selected private spaces that opened up to the public for the tours. After 400 visitors that weekend, they were encouraged to officially launch their DanWalt Gardens for the public’s enjoyment.
The gardens grew in popularity over the next years and the gardens became a venue host for many events including weddings, afternoon teas, soirees, and luncheons. Dan’s background in biology and education also led to science workshops and gardening events for both school children and the public.
Since the gardens’ inception, more acreage has been acquired by the pair and the DanWalt Gardens have expanded, allowing for an outdoor bar, pavilion, service kitchen, and more to be added for the many events held there, as well as a pergola, bridal room and more for family events.
Now, the garden thrives in many themed areas including a rose garden, Japanese garden, parterre, ceremony garden, and pond with bridges, statuary, ornamental trees and shrubs, flowers, fountains, and even two species of exotic chickens.
The current private home on the property’s north end was built on the site of the original carriage house. Some of the plants in gardens have been growing here since the 1890s and 1900s, while the chickens are the ancestors of black-tailed Japanese chickens raised by Dan Jellison in the 1950s.
The Gardens were sold in 2017 to Clint and Suri Lunde who now own and run the gardens.
What Makes the Gardens So Appealing?
The stunning gardens with the many varying plant life, wildlife, and farm combine to make the DanWalt Gardens a unique and beautiful spot to visit for anyone looking for a beautiful, peaceful spot.
The splendid iris, hardy hibiscus, multi-colored hyacinth, and so many other plants in the themed gardens are more than enough to draw you in for a day of peaceful reflection and enjoyment.
Take a video tour to get a glimpse of the stunning gardens.
What’s in Bloom at the DanWalt Gardens?
From May to October, the gardens are open to the public with many stunning varieties of flowers in bloom all season long.
- April – tulips, daffodils, hyacinths
- May – tulips, daffodils, hardy ferns, hostas, hellebores, alliums, phlox, lungwort
- June – irises, peonies, clematis, alliums, poppies, campanula, hostas, hardy ferns, roses, larkspur, campions, loosestrife
- July – hydrangeas, shasta daisies, coneflowers, day lilies, rudbeckia, roses, lilies, clematis, black-eyed susans
- August – angel’s trumpets, shasta daisies, hardy hibiscus, coneflowers, rudbeckia, roses, black-eyed susans
- September – dahlias, amaranths, asters, hardy hibiscus, angel’s trumpets, chrysanthemums, rudbeckia, black-eyes susans, coneflowers, roses
- October – dahlias, asters, chrysanthemums
Visiting DanWalt Gardens
DanWalt Gardens is a delightful, well-plotted, beautiful place to view stunning flowers and plants all season long. If you’re interested in visiting between May and October, you should certainly do so with relish!
To make sure your visit is the most enjoyable possible:
- Bring your camera – casual photography is welcome!
- Or plan a photo session and book in ahead of time
- Purchase tickets at the door
- If you’re bringing a group of 8 or more, call ahead to reserve a tour slot
- Wear comfortable walking shoes so you may enjoy the gardens properly
- Wear sunscreen and insect repellent, as needed
- Wear a hat or visor and sunglasses
Enjoy your visit to the well-curated, well-beloved DanWalt Gardens in Billings, Montana!