Posted April 15, 2011 by Jennifer Ramp Neale, Director of Research & Conservation
Last week we were honored to co-host the Center for Plant Conservation Annual Meeting along with the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation (NCGRP) in Fort Collins. Conservation professionals from more than 20 botanic gardens, federal agencies, and organizations across the country gathered in Colorado for a four-day conference to celebrate our efforts to conserve our nation’s rarest plants.
The Center for Plant Conservation (CPC) is a consortium of botanic gardens dedicated to protecting our nation’s vanishing flora. Denver Botanic Gardens was one of the founding partners of the CPC 27 years ago (1984). We have been actively involved in seed collection and other conservation efforts in collaboration with the CPC ever since.
Read more »
Posted April 13, 2011 by Andrea Thurber, Volunteer Coordinator
Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin
Following 2010’s wildly successful inaugural year, the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield is gearing up for its second year of delighting foodies across the Denver Metro Area with fresh, locally-grown produce.
Expanding the growing plot from one acre in 2010 to three acres in 2011, the need for volunteer assistance has increased. Volunteers are needed to plant, weed,
Read more »
Posted April 12, 2011 by Featured Instructor
I guess I need a twelve-step program to help me with my tomato addiction. I grow WAY too many tomatoes on top of my mountain. Even the Denver Post said I had a problem in an article last year. I just can’t stop growing tomatoes and since I was told repeatedly that I would NOT be able to grow tomatoes when we arrived here 19 years ago, I have considered that a challenge. I now stand at a ridiculous 80 tomato varieties. We also grow pumpkins way bigger than your head and the most succulent sweet corn.
The wild Colorado climate has taught me this: there are no rules, everything changes all of the time – that’s the rule.
We’ve learned to combine techniques to grow the foods we want, so
Read more »
Posted April 11, 2011 by Sarah Spearman, Education Sales Coordinator
Join the Gardens this Thursday (April 14) at 7 p.m. for a very special evening with acclaimed garden designer and author Lauren Springer Ogden as we celebrate the publication of an all-new edition of her best-selling book, The Undaunted Garden. In this original lecture, Lauren will talk about the various planting styles she has experimented with in her three Colorado gardens; highlight some of the plant stars; and weave a discussion of sustainability in gardening throughout.
The program will include time for discussion as well as a book sale and signing. Don’t miss this unique event and your chance to get a signed copy of one of the best garden books of the century! Register online or call 720-865-3580.
$20 member, $25 non-member
Posted April 8, 2011 by Ellen Hertzman, Manager of Volunteer Experience
Spring Glory
Q: Where in the Gardens will you not see signs of spring?
A: Nowhere!
There is something wonderful to see around every corner:
Read more »
Posted April 7, 2011 by Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator & Director of Outreach
Waterlily tulips (Tulipa kaufmanniana) in the O'Fallon Perennial Border
Tulips are one of the few plants that almost everyone recognizes instantly: since tulips originate
Read more »
Posted April 4, 2011 by Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator & Director of Outreach
Pulsatilla halleri emerging in February
In the Dakotas they call them “prairie crocus’. Elsewhere you usually hear them called pasqueflowers
Read more »
Posted April 4, 2011 by digger
Hello Friends!
Brrrrrrrr! It sure was chilly this morning when I woke up. The Children’s Garden looked much different today than it did when I woke up yesterday morning. The ground was covered with just a hint of snow and the trees and daffodils were covered in just enough ice to make them sparkle.
I have been a very busy Marmot these last few weeks! I’ve made two new friends named Mr. and Mrs. Mallard. I often run into the Mallards early in the morning and late in the afternoon when they stop by Pipsqueak Pond for a snack. Watching them dunk there heads under water to search for food is always so interesting to watch. I didn’t see my friends this morning, but I did see the foot prints in the snow they left behind. I hope I will run into them this afternoon.
I have been busy overseeing construction of the Home Harvest Garden. Our gardeners and amazing group of volunteers have been working hard building new raised beds for the garden. I’ve also been trying to decide which vegetables we should plant in the garden once construction is finished. Do you grow any vegetables at home? What is your favorite type of vegetable to grow?
The warm sunshine is quickly melting away any sign of yesterday’s spring snow. I’m off to enjoy this nice sunny day.
Hope to see you soon!
Your Friend,
Digger
Posted in: Conservation & Ecology - Comments(0)