http://www.botanicgardensblog.com where denver flourishes Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:22:32 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en According to Botanic Gardens Conservation International, botanic gardens are defined as “institutions holding documented collections of living plants for the purposes of scientific research, conservation, display and education.” Plant collections form the heart and soul of a botanic garden and how we care for them determines our integrity and credibility ... http://www.botanicgardensblog.com/index.php/2009/07/01/how-do-we-care-for-collections-during-construction/ My favorite garden this week is the Schlessman Plaza and Fragrance Garden, which along with the El Pomar Waterway and the O’Fallon Perennial Walk constitutes the Romantic Gardens. This garden is currently at peak bloom and the newly painted stucco walls provide a bold background that helps the plants pop ... http://www.botanicgardensblog.com/index.php/2009/06/29/featured-garden-of-the-week-schlessman-plaza-and-fragrance-garden/ Denver Botanic Gardens’ Japanese Garden is an authentic traditional Japanese garden reflecting the unique environment of its Colorado setting. The garden is named Sho-Fu-En, meaning “garden of the pines and wind,” both of which are typical of the natural environment of Colorado. The main feature of this garden is the ... http://www.botanicgardensblog.com/index.php/2009/06/22/featured-garden-of-the-week-sho-fu-en-japanese-garden-%e2%80%93-celebrating-30-years/   Standing as testimony that gardening in Colorado does not have to be dull and boring is the Roads Water-Smart Garden, which is currently bursting in color. Bursts of yellow, purple, pink, orange and white are dotted throughout this garden. Meticulously cared for by our Curator of Native Plants, Dan Johnson, ... http://www.botanicgardensblog.com/index.php/2009/06/17/featured-garden-of-the-week-roads-water-smart-garden/ [caption id="attachment_1493" align="alignnone" width="395" caption="One of the rare Penstemon species tested"][/caption] "It might be used for medicines some day" is an often-cited justification for protecting imperiled plant species when scientists are pressed to justify our work to protect species that have no perceived "use."  And yet, it appears that no one ... http://www.botanicgardensblog.com/index.php/2009/06/09/scientific-discovery-in-rare-plant-chemistry/ Denver Botanic Gardens is home to over 300 taxa (which includes hybrids and cultivars) of about 69 species of Iris. This diversity is distributed throughout the Gardens, though a majority is displayed in the Lilac Garden. Situated almost in the middle of our grounds, the irises in this garden are ... http://www.botanicgardensblog.com/index.php/2009/06/06/featured-garden-of-the-week-lilac-garden/   [caption id="attachment_1482" align="alignleft" width="450" caption="image and location of Meconopsis "][/caption] Meconopsis 'Lingholm' is currently in bloom in the garden on the north side of the Education Building (adjacent to the temporary visitor parking lot). This is the first time this jewel has bloomed in this garden after being planted in 2005. The ... http://www.botanicgardensblog.com/index.php/2009/06/04/blue-poppy-in-bloom/ Do you miss the beautiful orchid displays from the Cloud Forest Tree?  In order to satisfy your orchid fix before the new greenhouse complex is complete and the orchids return to display, come see many of them as preserved specimens in the Kathryn Kalmbach Herbarium. Volunteer Eleanor Von Bargen has worked ... http://www.botanicgardensblog.com/index.php/2009/06/03/do-you-miss-the-cloud-forest-tree/ For each concert at the Summer Concert Series, Denver Botanic Gardens offers awesome VIP tents to local companies and individuals.  This is a great opportunity for client/employee appreciation events or birthday parties! VIP Concert Tent Package: 40 tickets to one concert Special accommodations to enter through the VIP entrance Preferred seating under tent $1,500 credit ... http://www.botanicgardensblog.com/index.php/2009/06/02/summer-concert-series-vip-tents/ [caption id="attachment_1456" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Available for purchase at Garden Grapes & Hops"][/caption] Yesterday, beautifully decorated flower pots flooded the Gardens in anticipation of Garden Grapes & Hops. This is the first year the Gardens will auction off flower pots. Here is a sneak peak of what you will find at the ... http://www.botanicgardensblog.com/index.php/2009/06/02/flower-pot-sneak-peak/