Denver’s First Chicken Coop Tour

Cock-a-doodle-doo! Wake up and join Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Urban Homesteading for the first ever Chicken Coop Tour of Denver this Saturday, Oct. 2. More people are raising their own chickens; here is an opportunity for people to see how it’s done firsthand.

The owners of fifteen chicken coops – in Denver, Edgewater, Englewood, Golden, Lakewood, and Wheat Ridge – will open the doors to their chicken shacks to provide guests an opportunity to see . . .
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Ghosts in the Gardens Tours

As you step onto the stone walkway leading into Denver Botanic Gardens, exotic and colorful plants welcome you and sprinkle the landscape, painting a masterpiece that is straight from a dream. While wrapped in the warm Colorado sunshine we are able to embrace the natural splendor within the Gardens. After the sunsets, however, Denver Botanic Gardens is rumored to welcome another form of visitors who have called this soil home long before our first flower laid its roots.

When darkness floats over our gardens the cheerful tone can begin to change. It’s been heard that lights mysteriously flicker and bodiless footsteps can be heard around every corner. For some, the hair on the back of  their necks prickles and one can get the feeling that you are not alone. Before Denver Botanic Gardens construction began in 1951, our grounds were known as the Prospect Hill Cemetery. Inhabitants ranged from prominent men and women to infamous Wild West outlaws, many of whom can remind us of their continued rumored presence. It’s been told that doors
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Water Gardens are Fabulous in Sept., Part III

First Victoria Waterlily Flower

Collector’s Series

It was a special day, which seems to be the norm these days at the new and vibrant Denver Botanic Gardens. It was Saturday morning, Sept. 18, 2010. It was unusually warm, yet pleasant.

The visitors were buzzing as they were enjoying immensely their strolls through the fascinating, bold and inspiring outside gardens.

Cameras were snapping. One visitor commented on her fascination with the fairyland fog-laden and waterlily-decorated Four Towers Fountain Pool.

First Victoria Waterlily Flower Dazzles all at Monet Pool

The ”icing on the cake” was the splendid pearly-white Victoria flower cradled amongst the gently swaying, distinctive, giant water-platter leaves. A long time coming, it was a special treat for the many energized visitors.
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Trip van Winkle…

Brand new Marnie's pavilion: Wowza!

Capacious east-west terrace in front of Orangerie

Perspective view down the Orangerie that lets visitors now walk from the main entrance through the Conservatory and Marnie's Pavilion practically to the main pool under cover!

A glimpse of the NEW Marnie's Pavilion full of orchids and colorful gems...

So I’m gone for a few weeks and I come back to a new office, a whole new greenhouse complex, a new
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The Weekly Bloom: Week of September 25th

Colchicum and Plumbago

Those of us who work here are surrounded by beauty every day, and sometimes we forget to stop and look at it. The other day, it was drizzling in the Gardens, and I wasn’t really in the mood to walk around and report on what you should go look at, so I decided just to take a walk without my “eyes” on. But of course my attention was caught by this, and by that, and before I knew it, I couldn’t wait to tell you all about it! So this week: Bits and Pieces.
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Take a Child Outside Week: Sept. 24 – Sept. 30

 

Tomorrow marks the start of Take a Child Outside Week (Sept. 24 – Sept. 30). This is one of the initiatives celebrated by the Children & Nature Network, a movement started by Richard Louv, author of the book Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder. 

Denver Botanic Gardens was fortunate to play host to Richard last September to help building awareness of the construction of our Mordecai Children’s Garden, which opened last month to rave reviews. Richard’s message is simple: Get outside and play!                                                                        

There are so many important reasons to turn off the TV, the Playstation or the Wii and explore nature, both near and far.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently came out with a report  (AAP report on play)  that said that outdoor play is crucial in helping children in their development — socially, emotionally, and cognitively. It also can help them manage stress and stay healthy, playing an obviously vital role in the fight against obesity. 

Another important reason to get kids involved in nature early in life is to instill a sense of appreciation and stewardship for the great outdoors.  Countless studies have shown that children who hike, climb trees, splash in streams and enjoy the outdoors grow up to be adults who support conservation of the natural world.
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Plant Select and hummingbirds

Hummingbird feeding on Salvia darcyi in Plant Select Garden

Who isn’t entranced by hummingbirds? This picture
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Children’s Garden drop-in programs schedule

Enhance your visit to the Mordecai Children’s Garden with one of our free drop-in programs. Offered every weekday, these programs will help your child connect to the wonders of the natural world. Programs are free with admission and do not require any advance registration.

Exploration Station
Drop by the Exploration Station every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning to take a closer look at the wonders of nature. Dissect a plant in the alpine garden, discover how to tell the age of a tree on Marmot Mountain, or use the natural grasses in the Glorious Grasslands to weave a masterpiece! A perfect setting for grownups and children to appreciate nature together. All ages welcome; best for ages 3-8.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m.

Sensory Sensations
Sensory Sensations are specially designed to give the Children’s Gardens youngest visitors, and their grownups, their first hands-on experiences with nature. Feel grasses tickle your toes,
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