Posted July 15, 2008 by Bonnie Weimer, Visitor Services Assistant
Where are the good stories about plants? A good story would help me remember their name and give me something fun to share when I’m out in the Gardens giving a tour. Online searches were frustrating me, so I pulled my eyes away from the computer and stumbled into the Helen Fowler Library at Denver Botanic Gardens. Within minutes Deb Golanty, the Senior Librarian, asked me what I was looking for and minutes after that I was handed the perfect book to quench my thirst: Stories and Legends of Garden Flowers by Vernon Quinn. Will I ever be able to look at a zinnia again and not think of the human eye?
Posted July 10, 2008 by Joe Tomocik, Former Aquatic Collection Curator
Plant diversity is wonderfully expressed by the many exciting pitcher plant cultivars (Sarracenia cvs.).
S. ‘Judith Hindel’ grows up to 24 inches and, liking a touch of sun, is displayed nicely at the Gardens Information Desk and Fly Trap Feast. Bright and showy, this popular pitcher plant captures insects, devouring them and absorbing the nutrients.
Posted July 5, 2008 by Sarada Krishnan, Director of Horticulture
Early this spring around mid-March, the native Plains Garden at Denver Botanic Gardens underwent a simulated version of a vital ecological process of the shortgrass prairie — FIRE. Fire is important in maintaining the structure and diversity of the shortgrass prairie ecosystem. Since human settlement, fire suppression has lead to the alteration of vegetation composition of the shortgrass prairie and the resulting biotic interactions. The prescribed burn at the Gardens performed under the able supervision of our curator of native plants, Dan Johnson, reminded us of how important these ecological processes are in maintaining the diversity of our native ecosystems. Four months later, the transformation of this garden is just amazing. Bursting in color, many native forbs intermingle with prairie grasses. Currently in bloom are the Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens), Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata), Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja integra), Dwarf Sunflower (Helianthus pumilus), Golden Aster (Chrysopsis villosa), Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) and Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea). Without any supplemental irrigation this garden replicates what once used to be the Denver and surrounding landscape.
Posted July 3, 2008 by Doris Boardman, Web Technology Manager
I got back to my desk after a lunch meeting today, and there was a message from a co-worker saying I must go look at the northern portion of the Cottonwood Border because it looked “absolutely stunning.” How could I possibly sit down to work at my computer after a statement like that. So off I went to check it out.
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Posted July 1, 2008 by Bonnie Weimer, Visitor Services Assistant
Attention! Two car parking spaces have gone missing in Denver Botanic Gardens’ parking lot, between York and Josephine Streets. Apparently those two spaces were replaced by ribbons of sturdy black metal bars called “bike racks.” They say that these racks can accommodate up to 28 bicycles. However, so far only a few of those wonderful machines have been spotted utilizing these new racks. Summer has kicked in, so why not bike it to the Gardens, give the trees and fences a break, and lock up to the new bike racks!
