When Red Butte Garden and Arboretum at the University of Utah opened to the public in 1985, guests entered through a quaint gated entrance into a daylily and conifer garden along the banks of Red Butte Creek.
Forty years later, the Garden has become a treasured community and campus touchstone, and a major tourist attraction. More than 250,000 guests from all over the world visit annually. Its 100 acres of themed gardens and natural areas showcase more than 3,000 unique species of plants and trees. It’s a place where people connect with plants and living landscapes through one-of-a-kind experiences, from plant-focused educational programs to iconic cultural events.
”Red Butte has grown from a humble research garden into a place where people come to learn, heal, contemplate, and celebrate, at every stage of life,” said executive director Derrek Hanson. “The Garden was created by local visionaries passionate about plants and the outdoors, and it has thrived thanks to generous supporters and devoted staff and volunteers. We encourage everyone to come celebrate this one-of-a-kind sanctuary we’ve created together.”
New era, new look
To kick off its 40th anniversary celebrations, the Garden today unveils a new visual identity—a re-envisioned logo, updated oak leaf icon, and fresh, Garden-inspired color palette. This new look honors the Garden’s roots in conservation and research, education, and community building and communicates its welcoming, dynamic, and forward-looking spirit.
Importantly, the new brand identity re-incorporates the word “Arboretum,” which is essential to who the Garden is and why it matters. Inspired by the pioneering research and conservationist spirit of University botanist Walter P. Cottam, the Garden is part of a state arboretum that encompasses the U campus. Horticulturists cultivate and protect the Garden’s some 2,000 trees in 456 different taxa, an important urban forestland that helps both human and plant communities thrive.
Come celebrate with the garden
The centerpiece of the Garden’s 40th anniversary celebrations are two elevated experiences that will immerse guests in the transformative power of nature and the Garden:
- Deep Roots, Bold Horizons Farm-to-Table Dinner, Saturday, April 19, 6 pm
- Botanical Alchemy 40th Anniversary Garden Party, Saturday, June 21, 6-10 pm
Other don’t-miss events this spring:
- KaBLOOM!, a stunning annual display of 590,000 spring bulbs and blooms, including some 250,000 daffodils, anticipated early April
- Arbor Day Celebration, “For the Love of Trees,” Friday, April 25
- Annual Spring Plant Sale and Fundraiser, Friday, May 9 (member day), and Saturday, May 10 (public day)
- Cultivating Wisdom & Wonder Speaker Series
- Blooming with Pride, Friday, June 13
- Classes and Workshops for Adults and Classes for Kids
And stay tuned for the Garden’s highly anticipated Outdoor Summer Concert Series 2025 lineup announcement, Tuesday, April 8!