What’s happening in the Rock Alpine Garden this week? A few new treasures are in bloom

Saturday’s warm weather drew out more bulbs and other early bloomers, and finally its beginning to look like March should.  March belongs to several genera in the rock garden, Crocus, Galanthus and Helleborus are just a few genera that shine in March.  I hope to do a blog on both Galanthus and Helleborus in due time.

First we will revisit the genus Crocus, the main focus of last week’s blog. 
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The new Darlene Radichel Plant Select Garden

I have always considered myself very fortunate to be part of the Gardens’ horticulture team, but right now, as part of the team creating the new Darlene Radichel Plant Select Garden, I feel it even more so. This new garden, located on the former site of the Monet Garden, will showcase the many plants selected and promoted by the Plant Select program since its inception 10-15 years ago.

These are plants which are unusually well-suited to thrive in our area, our soils, and our climate supporting home-owners in their quest to garden beautifully within the scope of our region’s available resources. Like many, I was sad to see the Monet Garden go. But its multitude of perennials, roses, trees, and decor now enhance so many other parts of the Gardens, and working to bring this new garden to life in its place has made me very enthusiastic about this new garden opportunity.

As you can see in this photo, the structure of the  new garden is already established replete with new irrigation, pathways, lighting and
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Gardening with Natives

Callirhoe involucrata - Winecups

When you are buying plants for your garden this spring, consider adding a few natives to your garden.

Native plants typically provide habitat and food for more wildlife than non-natives adding to biodiversity. In an urban environment where wild places are fast disappearing every little piece of native habitat helps.
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Is it Spring Yet? Early bulbs and other Harbingers of spring starting in Rock Alpine Garden

While the official solar start of spring is still eight days away on March 20th, I think it is safe to say that spring has sprung in the Rock Alpine Garden. True, there may be many more snow storms and still plenty of mornings to scrape ice off of windshields, but the true harbingers of spring are in full glory now. Other gardens at Denver Botanic Gardens are showing signs of spring as well, but  few do it with such diversity as the Rock Alpine Garden (RAG).  Three species of Galanthus, at least five species of Crocus, three species of  Helleborus, Erica carnea, Draba aizoides,  Jasminum nudiflorum, Cyclamen, Scilla and Iris reticulata are just part of the parade that will change almost daily now that it is March.

Crocus are one of the most famous flowers of spring but most of us think about or photograph them open in the sun, Monday’s cloudy skies allowed me to photograph them closed up revealing the often highly patterned  or colorful reverse.  

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Beautiful Blooms in The Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory

Freycinetia cummingiana

Without a doubt, today was one of those days that the Boettcher Tropical Conservatory really made me take a step back and cherish my “office”. The amount of obscure and unique plants in bloom right  is almost
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Blooming at the Gardens, Week of March 13th

Freycinetia

This time of year, my house plants start sending out bright green leaves and cheery flowers. They recognize the longer, sunnier days and, since I don’t heat my house excessively, they revel in the warmth pouring through my south-facing windows. In the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, the tropicals are responding to the same signals, with new growth and blossoms in plenty just now. A few tongue-twisters for you this week:
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Research Volunteer Spotlight: How mushrooms change lives

A great quote I heard lately,   “ The first person served by Service is the Server,”   perfectly exemplifies the impact the Sam Mitchel Herbarium of Fungi has had on our decades-long volunteer, Rosa-Lee Brace.

Sam Mitchel, the founder of our mycology herbarium in 1965, inspired Rosa-Lee to study fungi during those early years and to become an expert and teacher of the Ascocmycetes and other mushrooms. Along with her husband Bob, this dedicated pair repowered the mycology collection by spending thousands of volunteer hours retroactively and meticulously going through thousands of specimens in the collection, boxing, assessing photos and correcting errors and updating the taxonomy.  The needs of a mushroom collection that they knew and loved provided this goal
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Shop at the Gardens Showcases New Spring Items

Oh dear…I am longing for spring. It is that time of year when it is just beginning to warm up – but not enough to discard the coat and hat just yet. I have been looking for anything that will remind me that warmer weather, buds on trees and spring blooms are a mere month or so away. My wish was granted when I walked into Denver Botanic Gardens’ retail store, Shop at the Gardens.  Hundreds of new items that bring on the flavor of springtime are appearing daily on the floor of the store. A french-style gazebo holds charming, robin’s egg blue plates and mugs, glimmering blue glass bud vases and fresh, flowering plants in popular Wolff flower pots. Many of the hundreds of items are well under $25. It is worth a peek to move you toward “getting your springtime on.”  Stop by and remember there is plenty of free parking and no admission is required to visit Shop at the Gardens. Horray for spring!