Wisconsin boasts some spectacular gardens the public can explore, with big green spaces, beautiful blooms and lush landscaping that instantly melts away any residual winter blues.

Green Bay Botanical Garden, Green Bay

One of Wisconsin’s biggest and most beautiful gardens is the Green Bay Botanical Garden (above). It comprises 47 acres of land with more than 98,000 varieties of plants from around the world. From rose gardens and shrub gardens to wildflower gardens and apple trees, there are more than 20 separate gardens with so much to see. There’s even a children’s garden, complete with a maze; a summertime splash pad (below); a “hobbit house;” and plenty of space for kids to run, play and explore.

This time of year, make sure to stop at the botanical garden’s Magnolia Grove. In spring, it explodes with large, soft blossoms of delicate pink, white, yellow and maroon hues. The sweet aroma is reason enough to plan a stroll through this area.

The Green Bay Botanical Garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in April and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in May and June. Admission is $13 for adults age 18+; $11 for seniors age 62+, as well as AAA Members, AARP members, military members and students age 18+ with school ID; $5 for youth age 3 to 17; and free for children age 2 and under.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison

Prepare to experience a new world of horticultural beauty at Madison’s Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Open to the public for free all year long, there are 16 acres of outdoor gardens planted with flowers, shrubs, trees and herbs that are breathtaking in any season. Check to see if the Bolz Conservatory has reopened following a revamp that began in March. For a $2 admission fee, you’ll see more than 750 tropical plants, a waterfall, free-flying birds and spectacular blooming orchids (above). The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.