Posted March 31, 2010 by Lily Parra, Exhibitions, Art & Library Collections Admin Assistant
As weather acts as a catalyst for spring fever, visitors to the Gardens won’t want to miss the final days of “Joellyn Duesberry’s Southwest: Sharpening the Edge.” The renowned Colorado artist’s methods of blending plein-air painting with abstracted forms result in unique landscapes. Last day to view the exhibition is this Sunday, April 4. Click here for more information.
Posted March 30, 2010 by Matt Cole, Director of Education
Colorado’s own mining towns have stories of boom and bust, gold rushes, fortunes made and lost. But tomorrow night I’m looking East, not West. Mike Bone is preparing to tell the stories of his travel to the Golden Mountains of Central Asia as a plant explorer. And it will be a fascinating travelogue of places most of us will not see, but also, a glimpse into a tradition overlooked by most botanists and gardeners.
There is a book on my shelf, here above my head next to Tulipomania and The Orchid Thief, called In Pursuit of Plants by Philip Short that details the lives of plant collectors and explorers. These people, usually men, not necessarily botanists, scoured the world bringing specimens, alive or preserved, back to wealthy sponsors, or to scientists, or for their own obsessive collections. What struck me most about the eighteenth-century plant explorers was how many of them died before they saw or felt much success. Also, it seems many were often suffering in poverty, from strange diseases or in abject misery born of some privation. Have I mentioned how glad I am that Mike Bone and the other travelers made it back?
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Posted March 30, 2010 by Isabel Werner, Development Coordinator
With the changing of seasons, the lengthening of days, and the sun’s welcome warmth, we are experiencing amazing growth here at Denver Botanic Gardens! Not only are the perennial beds lush with crocus and tulips, but a new garden is emerging from the earth. And we couldn’t be more delighted!
The Mordecai Children’s Garden—founded with generous support from the Daniel and Janet Mordecai Foundation—is springing up from atop our new parking structure. With a slated opening of Summer 2010 (we’re hoping the rain gods work their magic and we can swing open the gates in late June), the Mordecai Children’s Garden will be the preeminent children’s garden in the Rocky Mountain west.
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Posted March 25, 2010 by Ellen Hertzman, Manager of Visitor Experience
Snowy Day
Okay, so the blooms are still covered with snow, but that in itself is worth coming out for…
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Posted March 25, 2010 by Nick Daniel, Gardener Tropical Collection
Over the last few months, visitors to the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory may have noticed some funny looking trees that look like they were cut in half…well, they have been. Growing plants in the Boettcher Tropical Conservatory presents many challenges such as
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Posted March 24, 2010 by Sarah Spearman, Education Sales Coordinator
Portland Japanese Garden (photographer: Michel Hersen)
There are few places more bounteous with lush flora during the month of June than the Pacific Northwest. It’s always my personal favorite “go to” domestic vacation destination during this season for just this reason. The city of Portland, Oregon is able to boast of having four world-class gardens – some of the most spectacular and unique botanic gardens in the country. Denver Botanic Gardens is excited to have Ebi Kondo, Denver Botanic Gardens Senior Horticulturalist, leading a group tour to Portland this June (17th – 2oth) to explore some of these famous gardens, as well as smaller, more intimate personal gardens and the overall natural beauty of the surrounding area. The itinerary will include
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Posted March 24, 2010 by Dominique Bayne, Senior Horticulturist
Claytonia perfoliata
Bulbs may be the most obvious plants in bloom right now, but if you look closely there are a few other surprises too. Two of my favorites are Claytonia perfoliata – Miner’s lettuce and Arctostaphylos patula – Green leaf manzanita
Claytonia perfoliata
The Miner’s lettuce is an annual from the western coastal regions of North America.
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Posted March 19, 2010 by Ellen Hertzman, Manager of Visitor Experience
Cornus mas
Spring is here (well, okay, not today!), and everywhere in the Gardens, I see signs of preparation.
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