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.

Last Sunday, August 10th, Gardens visitors and I enjoyed a special treat - an amphitheater performance by the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance ensemble. Made possible by a grant from the Colorado Council on the Arts, Cleo Parker Robinson’s welcoming spirit and dancers shared a positive message of unity for for everyone in the audience. [...]

James Hunter, a brilliant guitarist with an outstanding album called “The Hard Way”, was the opening act for Chris Isaak last week here at the Gardens. After his set, James came out into the Gardens to be part of the audience and just generally check things out. He stopped by to talk to our [...]

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

And I love them all, truly I do. Even the parasitic ones that, left unchecked, would eventually take over our beloved Plains Garden. I am fascinated by all the weird extremes of natural selection- slime molds, corn smuts, flowers that smell like carrion and parasitic plants all find their way to me. My friends in [...]

Last Friday, I got a taste of the transformative power of Cleo Parker Robinson and her ensemble of gorgeous dancers in Denver Botanic Gardens’ Mitchell Hall. Before the performance began, she approached center stage with such enthusiasm such a willingness to share her knowledge and experience with the crowd. Her “Uh-Huh” attitude put the audience [...]