In the Monet pond, the leaves of the Gardens’ favorite lotus Nelumbo nucifera ‘Mrs. Perry D. Slocum’ sporting plate-like water resistant leaves. In the background is an exciting graffiti artist’s mural (Lady Pink) and reflection. The colorful murals are part of the Gardens’ popular “Urban Nature” exhibit.

Nelumbo ‘Rosy Clouds’ lotus continues to flower magnificantly in the Victoria (upper) pool. The flowers open in the morning and close in the afternoon, for three consecutive days. They are delightfully fragrant. N. ‘Rosy Clouds’ is an excellent lotus for Colorado Gardens.

Magenta hardy waterlily ‘James Brydon’ is now at its best in Denver Botanic Gardens’ pools . . . The Gardens is famous for its stunning displays of the bowl-shaped classical Nymphaea ‘James Brydon’ (hybridizer: Dreer Nurseries).
Now is the best time to walk around our pools and enjoy a multitude of hardy and tropical waterlilies, expertly [...]

Rocky Mountain Legacy Collection (RMLC) tropical waterlily ‘William Mclane’ . . . The purple Nymphaea ‘William McLane’ (hybridizer: Florida Aquatic Nurseries) is one of eight unique outstanding waterlilies flourishing in the Romantic Pool.

Bring your camera–you will want to remember this forever!

 
Though a common occurrence in parts of the southwest, century plants  (Agave sp.),  blooming in Denver are rare. Most years there is one blooming somewhere in Denver and we all take trips to visit it and marvel at the huge flower spike. This year we are lucky enough to have three blooming here at the [...]

There’s never enough blue in the garden, as far as I’m concerned. Others must feel the same way: otherwise, why do we make such a fuss over giant blue delphiniums, gentians and meconopsis? The far flung and varied clan of Campanula

With a multitude of exquisite apricot-colored flowers, Nymphaea ‘Stan Skinger’ (hybridizer: Florida Aquatic Nurseries) is a super Rocky Mountain Legacy Collection (RMLC) tropical waterlily, displayed dramatically in the Romantic Gardens pool. The gorgeous, egg-shaped mottled leaves darken in Denver’s semi-arid mile-high climate.

Nelumbo ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ with charming creamy-yellow flowers is the main attraction in the Monet Garden pool. It is near the north entrance to the Japanese Garden amongst a mix of classical hardy waterlilies. ‘Perry’s Giant Sunburst’ was hybridized by lotus king Perry D. Slocum.

Plant diversity is wonderfully expressed by the many exciting pitcher plant cultivars (Sarracenia cvs.).
S. ‘Judith Hindel’ grows up to 24 inches and, liking a touch of sun, is displayed nicely at the Gardens Information Desk and Fly Trap Feast. Bright and showy, this popular pitcher plant captures insects, devouring them and absorbing the nutrients.

Early this spring around mid-March, the native Plains Garden at Denver Botanic Gardens underwent a simulated version of a vital ecological process of the shortgrass prairie — FIRE. Fire is important in maintaining the structure and diversity of the shortgrass prairie ecosystem. Since human settlement, fire suppression has lead to the alteration of vegetation composition of [...]