20 Years of West Bend’s Beloved Labyrinth Garden

One of West Bend’s beloved attractions is celebrating a milestone year in 2025. As the Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture nears the close of its 20th season, let’s take a look back at how the garden got its start and why its appeal continues today.

A Dazzling Display of Beauty

Tucked behind the “Tableau in Steel” sculpture in West Bend’s 92-acre Regner Park, this 90-foot-wide Cretan-style labyrinth is more than a garden, it’s a destination. The winding, half-mile path is lined with more than 110 types of annuals, herbs, bulbs, and perennials, including a dazzling display of over 120 varieties of daylilies. The garden’s ample inclusion of the latter earned it a distinction as a ‘Daylily Display Garden’ in 2009, an honor bestowed by the American Hemerocallis Society.

And best of all, the Labyrinth Garden is free and open to the public—from first spring bloom to last Autumn wilt.

With its vibrant colors and tranquil design, the Labyrinth Garden draws thousands of visitors each year. Guests have come from around the globe, often leaving inspired by the garden’s beauty and peaceful atmosphere.

Springing into Action

The idea for the garden blossomed after West Bend resident Barb Robertson traveled to Montana to visit her daughter and was charmed to find a labyrinth garden which residents had built and maintained in a small town nearby.

“I thought, if a town much smaller than West Bend can do this, then surely we can too,” recalls Barb.

At the time, she had recently retired from a 30-year career as an elementary school music specialist and, even though she didn’t know much about gardening, she had a vision. She joined forces with fellow West Bend resident Mary Steiner and, with the support of a $5,000 grant from West Bend Insurance Company and other community donations, grew it into a thriving community effort that, today, encompasses about 50 volunteers.

Each volunteer gardener tends to an assigned 15- or 30-foot plot throughout the growing months to keep the garden looking pristine. With years of gardening under her belt, Barb is no longer a novice. She and others involved have even gone on to earn Master Gardener certifications, a nationally recognized credential awarded to individuals who have completed an intensive horticultural training program and have volunteered their time to educate others and contribute to their communities.

Garden Hours and Growing Season

The Labyrinth Garden remains open year-round, but flowers are in bloom from about April through November (or until the first winter frost). The garden is located near the front of the Main Street entrance of Regner Park, 800 N. Main St, West Bend. Visitors are welcome in the park (and the garden) between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.

For those wishing to commemorate a special person or moment, there is an opportunity to purchase an engraved Celebration Stone. These ornamental stones line the fence – generously donated by the Johnson family one year – surrounding the garden. Outside of private donations, the proceeds from the Celebration Stone sales are the only source of revenue for the garden, which Barb leans on to purchase supplies and new stock each year.

20 Labyrinth Blooms

In honor of the Labyrinth Garden’s two decades of existence, here are 20 notable varieties that have taken up residence in West Bend: