Nature's own colorful explosions are in full bloom. You'll find plenty of floral inspiration throughout Central Indiana gardens, with many of these public spots offering resource centers where you also can receive horticultural advice.

But parks aren't the only places where you'll find these gardens. Several area museums also feature a variety of plantings, with a few works of art sprinkled throughout. Best of all, admission to the following public gardens is free. So, create your own individualized garden tour, and you'll save on fuel and have some fun this summer.

Indianapolis Museum of Art

Where: 4000 Michigan Road.

Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk.

Admission: Free.

Info: (317) 923-1331 or www.imamuseum.org.

Visitors to the IMA enjoy the best of both gardening worlds: the formal grounds of Oldfields, a beautifully restored 26-acre estate and National Historic Landmark; and the museum's remaining 26 acres of main campus, incorporating a wide variety of native and imported flowers, trees and shrubs in both natural and contemporary displays.

Discoveries await in named gardens and more casual landscapes -- a collection that Mark Zelonis, the Ruth Lilly director of Oldfields and horticulture, calls "a living catalog, one of the biggest services we provide.

"...... (Visitors) can see firsthand that plant they just read about in a horticulture magazine or saw on HGTV. Here it is, in the ground in Indiana soil versus the soils in another part of the country."

In fact, some of the plants "push the limit" on the standard USDA Hardiness Zone map, says garden supervisor Chad Franer, who has successfully introduced Zone 6-safe varieties to the Hoosier state's Zone 5 climate.

Franer also combs out-of-state nurseries for unusual plants and trees to grow here. About a dozen varieties of redbud trees dot the IMA's grounds, along with such newcomers as the Chinese sweet shrub (a recent import from North Carolina) and papyrus, which was planted to tie in with the IMA's upcoming show "To Live Forever: Egyptian Treasures from the Brooklyn Museum," opening July 13.

Among the IMA's list of named gardens, a few highlights include:

The Garden for Everyone

Located between the museum and the Michigan Road entrance, this garden plays to all the senses with a special emphasis on fragrance and texture. Raised beds allow visitors in wheelchairs to more easily access the plantings, while sage, rosemary, lemon eucalyptus, lemon grass and other aromatic additions add a special enhancement to those with vision impairments. You'll also encounter a few sculptures in this garden, including bronze works "La Hermana del Hombre Boveda" and "Stumbling Man," as well as the stone sculpture "Diana with Dog."

The Rapp Family Ravine Garden

Although at its most colorful in the spring and fall, the one-acre Ravine Garden behind the Lilly House still tempts in the summer, thanks to a vertical dynamic stretching down a hillside to the Central Canal. Re-created "almost from scratch" in 1998, Zelonis says, this garden includes a recirculating stream, three pools and more than 19,000 perennials, trees, shrubs and bulbs. In selecting plantings, the museum staff used Oldfields documents, dating back to the early 1920s, "that not only had sketches of what that garden was designed to look like, but (listed) every single plant that was intended," Zelonis says.

Richard D. Wood Formal Garden

Originally built in the second decade of the 1900s, the Lilly House's Formal Garden received makeovers in the '20s, '30s and again about two years ago. A fountain and arbors serve as focal points, along with roses and plants that thrive in the space's afternoon shade. Boxwoods and evergreens also have a home here.

Allee and Border Gardens

Arguably the most impressive views on the IMA grounds are found here, looking across a 775-foot-long lawn toward the Lilly House. Water features, red oak trees and border gardens contribute to the striking landscape. "There aren't too many places like this around," Zelonis says. "We're pretty lucky here in Central Indiana."

Plan your own tour

Pick up a free, self-guided tour map at the main museum entry desk, the Lilly House or the Greenhouse. Greenhouse staff members also can offer information on plants available for purchase, including the IMA's Signature Series.

For serious research duties, stop by the Horticultural Society Library, a non-circulating collection of more than 2,000 volumes in the process of relocating to the IMA's Newfield House.

Sculptures

In addition to the works found in the Garden for Everyone, here's a list of sculptures you'll see near that garden or on the Mall:

• "Two Lines Oblique Down, Variation III," George Rickey.

• "Two Figures," Barbara Hepworth.

• "Snowplow," Mark Di Suvero.

• "Portrait of History," Shan Zou Zhou.

• "Spaces with Iron," Will Horwitt.

• "Mega-Gem," John Francis Torreano.

• "Numbers 0-9," Robert Indiana.

• "Love," Robert Indiana.

Coxhall Gardens

Where: 2000 W. 116th St., Carmel.

Hours: The garden is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Admission: Free.

Info: (317) 896-5874 or www.coxhallgardens.com.

Billed as "an oasis in a sea of homes," Carmel's Coxhall Gardens packs plenty of flower power into its 125 acres.

In 2005, the staff planted 650 trees, 2,500 shrubs and some 10,000 perennials, says park manager/horticulturist Gary Knowlton.

And this summer, those green residents are thriving.

"Everything this year has really jumped," Knowlton says. "You know, the first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps, and the third year it leaps.

"A lot of the shrubs and the trees are really starting to push some good vegetative growth out. Everything's starting to really come in and fill in and look good."

A stroll through Coxhall reveals blooming endless summer and oakleaf hydrangea, daylilies, May night salvia and other colorful specimens.

In the Children's Garden, there are tons of perennials, but kids may not notice, since they'll be busy playing in a miniature village, weaving through a maze of ornamental grasses, climbing up and down gently rolling hills and enjoying other nature-inspired activities.

Adults won't want to miss the park's centerpiece area, anchored by a statue of the late Jesse and Beulah Cox, who donated the land to the Hamilton County Parks & Recreation Department in 1999.

Water flows through fountains into a pool surrounding a stage area, and rose and tulip gardens wait nearby.

A new highlight is tucked among the meticulously manicured grounds. The Time Garden features an analemmatic sundial (you can stand on the month of the year ..... and it will cast your shadow and show you what time of the day it is) and appropriately named plants (moonbeam coreopsis, moonshine yarrow, star magnolia, summersweet, vernal witch hazel).

Holcomb Gardens and Butler Prairie

Where: Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave.

Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk.

Admission: Free.

Info: Visit www.butler.edu/herbarium

Hinkle Fieldhouse may be the most celebrated landmark on Butler University's campus, but the home of the Bulldogs also hosts a few more serene surprises.

Students have long strolled the environs of Holcomb Gardens for a break from studies, but the general public is also welcome to stop by, says Rebecca Dolan, director of Friesner Herbarium, a collection of nearly 100,000 dried, pressed and preserved plant specimens.

An impressive carillon anchors the peaceful setting and its variety of plantings. Crab trees line the gardens' main access, along with a long yew hedge leading to a statue of the Greek goddess Persephone. On the outside of the yew hedge, a bed of annuals adds color, as do peony bushes and daylilies.

"And behind Persephone are some nice specimen trees from when the campus was Fairview Park," Dolan says. "There's a beautiful yellowwood tree there."

Also in this area: two sculpture gardens incorporating quotes. The philosophers' corner spotlights quotations from famous names ranging from Socrates to Jesus, while a poets' corner focuses on inspirational verses. A stretch of older-growth woods incorporates towering beeches and maples along with walking trails.

A stroll near the Butler athletic fields brings visitors to the Butler Prairie, a three-acre site devoted to native Indiana prairie plants. This outdoor lab for ecology students attracts a variety of birds and wildlife with its mix of tall and short grasses.

Summer blooms include Canada wild rye, Canada tick trefoil, yellow coneflower, purple prairie clover, white prairie clover, prairie dock, prairie cinquefoil, switchgrass and prairie blazing star.

Garfield Park's Sunken Garden

Where: Garfield Conservatory and Gardens, 2505 Conservatory Drive.

Hours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., through Oct. 15.

Admission: Free.

Info: (317) 327-7184 or www.garfieldgardensconservatory.org.

Only 3 miles southeast of Monument Circle, the elegant Sunken Garden at Garfield Park regally awaits visitors seeking a haven from urban hustle.

Designed by acclaimed landscape architect George Kessler in 1914, the Sunken Garden had fallen into disrepair by the mid-20th century, but received a much-needed facelift, thanks to a $12 million restoration completed in 1998.

Today, the 3-acre, fenced-in garden reflects its original roots, with three formal fountains, 57 reproduction urns, and tiles adorned with oakleaf and acorn motifs. But it's the elaborate plantings (three seasonal displays per year) that continue to draw visitors.

For summer 2008, exterior horticulturist Emily Wood created a profusion of red and blue hues and softer shades through 10 varieties and 14,000 plants (including red cooler vinca, flamenco samba cuphea, Rocky Mountain dark red geranium, Victoria blue salvia, diamond frost euphorbia, purple wave petunias, superbells red calibrachoa and artist blue ageratum).

Plants must be ordered up to nine months in advance, says facility manager Fritz Nerding, to give growers time to buy the seeds and plan greenhouse space. "We couldn't just go to Lowe's and buy all these plants," he says. "Emily's already designing displays for next year."

Nerding, Wood and the rest of the garden's enthusiastic staff emphasized that the grounds provide not just enjoyment, but inspiration for home gardeners.

"If you have a question about something, if you see something you like out here, you can ask one of our horticulturists," Nerding says. "So, not only can you come out and enjoy, you can come out and learn and get ideas that you can take back and re-create in your own garden."

Specialty groups -- an Orchid Society chapter, the Indianapolis Bonsai Club, the Indy African Violet Club -- meet at the adjacent Garfield Conservatory on a regular basis and can serve as additional resources.

"We always try to find the answers for people," Nerding said.

And for those who like to linger until the last ray of daylight, the Sunken Garden is open until 10 p.m., lighted and under the watchful eye of security.

ARTSPARK

Where: Indianapolis Art Center, 820 E. 67th St.

Hours: The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Admission: Free.

Info: (317) 255-2464 or www.indplsartcenter.org.

Tucked behind the Indianapolis Art Center and along the White River, ARTSPARK plays off its rustic setting to offer a soothing retreat in the heart of Broad Ripple.

The 12-acre Michael Graves-designed space blends eye-catching sculptures with natural features to form what the center calls a "creative playground."

Kevin Harmon, grounds and garden manager, says at least 200 species of plants grow here. (The landscape-architecture community has recognized ARTSPARK for its commitment to space preservation, removal of invasive exotics and encouragement of native species, he adds.)

Through strategically placed container gardens, beds and borders, Harmon highlights the park's man-made art with works of nature.

"We have such a unique opportunity here, with the sculptures, the gardens and the river, to engage people's creative spirit," he says. "The one thing I love (most) about this place is how much creative work goes on. Inside and outside, there is just tons of really good energy."

Current plantings include a profusion of lush saturated colors, with an emphasis on red and orange, to celebrate the Art Center's current "Two Worlds, One Language Through Art" initiative of exhibits and programming.

In the ARTSPARK main entry area, guests will see salvia, Profusion Fire zinnia, Swiss chard, sweet potato vine -- even bananas -- planted in part to celebrate the exhibit's opening.

Down by the White River, a garden known as A Quiet Space attracts butterflies with plants such as black-eyed Susans and lantana.

"People are naturally drawn to the river. People are naturally drawn to the sculptures. And I think that when you add color, you pull people even further into a space," Harmon says.

"There's a real delight, especially here, in what might be next."

ARTSPARK contains more than 25 sculptures. Here's a look at a few of them:

• "Still Life With Sticks," by Patrick Dougherty. This geometric piece is made from saplings, and will gradually decompose.

• "Imploding Cube," by John E. Simms. Simms used aircraft aluminum to create this abstract sculpture that sits in a reflecting pool.

• "Wings," by James Wille Faust. Faust used his characteristic crisp geometric patterns and bright colors on this abstract aluminum version of a bird of prey with a fish in its mouth.

• "Twisted House," by John McNaughton. This whimsical 14-foot-tall, cedar-shingled work resembles a child's playhouse.

• "Empire Towers," by R.M. Fischer. Stainless steel and anodized aluminum towers are located between the center's east entrance and the Nina Mason Pulliam Sensory Path.

Three others worth visiting

If you have a little extra in your budget, these area attractions offer more garden delights:

White River Gardens and the Indianapolis Zoo

Where: 1200 W. Washington St.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday and holidays.

Admission: $13.50 adults, $8.50 62 and older, and 2 to 12.

Info: (317) 630-2001 or www.indyzoo.com.

Wander through five gardens on 3.3 acres. In the Hilbert Conservatory, the popular Butterflies exhibit continues through Sept. 2. Next door at the zoo, stroll landscaped grounds containing close to 1,800 species of plants.

Indiana Medical History Museum and garden

Where: 3045 W. Vermont St.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; Wednesday by appointment.

Admission: $5, includes admission to the Indiana Medical History Museum.

Info: (317) 635-7329 or www.imhm.org.

On the grounds of the former Central State Hospital, just west of Downtown Indianapolis, the museum's Medicinal Plant Garden spotlights nearly 100 trees, shrubs, vines, annuals and herbs. They are identified by common and scientific names, along with information on usage.

Conner Prairie

Where: 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Admission: $11 adults, $10 ages 65 and older, $7 children.

Info: (317) 776-6000 or www.connerprairie.org.

The museum has an heirloom gardening program. Herbs, flowers, shrubs, vines and native flora are grown from open-pollinated seeds.

- Stories by Julie Cope Saetre / Indy Star Correspondant