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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Collectors Series
Hill Arches 1973 (LH636), image reproduced by permission of The Henry Moore Foundation. Victoria waterlilies in the Monet Pool.
The drama, beauty and fun continues. Warm days persist–waterlily splendor is at its best. It’s time to enjoy the changing colors and spine-tingling reflections in all our pools, including the Four Towers Fountain and the Monet Pools.
Victoria Bud Rises to Surface – The first Victoria bud is at the surface and about to open [Sept. 14]. The first flower is not generally of great merit. We are so far into the season, a second flower may or may not come.
All the better!
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The Gardens, including the water gardens, are fabulous if not spectacular in September.
Victoria…grandest waterlily of all!
Whereas the hardy waterlilies are slowing down a bit in September (many have been flowering since late May), the tropical waterlilies including the Giant Water Platter are coming into their own. On warm sunny days they will delight all with their handsome leaves and
eye-popping colorful flowers.
Visitors are astonished by one of the most amazing of all plants. The awesome Victoria leaves approach ten feet in diameter
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Flowering abundantly and gloriously at the Welcome Garden and Romantic Garden pools are the Gardens’ signature Rocky Mountain Legacy Collection (RMLC) waterlilies.
Visitors will be treated to an unforgettable display of magical, mesmerizing, delectable waterlilies. See some closeups of these beauties:
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Darwin’s favorite Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
Following two highly successful exciting showings on free days at the Gardens, the Gardens’ Darwinian Flytrap Team, consisting of staff and volunteers, dazzled Denver Zoo visitors demonstrating the capturing capability of Darwins favorite plant the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula).
The team addressed questions and elaborated on the wonders of additional Carnivorous Collection plants including butterworts (Pinguicula ssp.), sundews (Drosera ssp.), tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes ssp.), bladderworts (Utricularia ssp.) and American pitcher plants (Sarracenia ssp.).
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The most pressing concern of the Gardens’ visitors each summer relates to what we do with our aquatic plants during the winter. The horticulture staff is now challenged as construction continues with the dynamic restructuring of our Gardens. Although we must make adjustments in over-wintering plants, the same principles apply.
Hardy waterlilies are hardy to zone 5a (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map) and can be over-wintered in Denver by lowering the plants to the deepest part of a pool
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A cool and rainy summer brings a different, yet inspiring water garden display to Denver Botanic Gardens.
Visitors traversing the Gardens from the southeast corner are again treated to the soothing magical sounds of water, waterlilies galore and dramatic reflections.
Romantic Garden Pool
Photographers marvel at the formal display of Denver Botanic Gardens signature waterlilies, The Rocky Mountain Legacy Collection (RMLC). Featured here this summer are the delightful pink Nymphaea ‘Denver’s Delight’ (Denver Botanic Gardens) and French vanilla N. ‘Denver’ (Strawn). RMLC waterlilies are displayed eloquently throughout the Gardens’ pools.
Fun Time and a Touch of Glamour
Turning heads in the El Pomar Water Garden is a stimulating fountain arrangement consisting of eight adjustable fountain heads, allowing for an assortment of exciting sprays and patterns.
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We are all anxious and ready for the fireworks to begin. The exotic tropical waterlilies are planted in 7 gal. containers in mid-June at Denver Botanic Gardens, when the water temperature remains over 70 degrees F.
Nymphaea ‘Aquarius’ is one of our very special “historical” tropical waterlilies. The plants are started from tubers in March or April. Our exciting new greenhouse complex will include a state-of- the-art propagation facility.
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