Anything but drab! Spanish draba (Draba hispanica) is always first to bloom.

Spanish draba (Draba hispanica)

Poor drabas! Such a colorless name…and they have other image problems too–that acid
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In Bloom at the Gardens: Week of February 27

First Crocus at the Gardens

I checked my gardening journal this week. (I start each spring with good intentions, but writing in the journal occurs in inverse proportion to the amount of work that needs to be done in the garden!) I have been imagining that this winter has been longer and colder than recent winters. I wanted to verify that perception, using my crocus-o-meter.
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Don’t Miss It! Week of October 17th

Ahh, Colorado! You gotta love it: 17 degrees last weekend, 70 degrees this weekend. This year, we did not go gently into winter cold—we were thrown in head first—and many of our plants are reflecting that. Still, there is plenty to enjoy on a crisp autumn day.

• You can still find flowers
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Don’t Miss It! Week of Sept. 28

A few things to see in the Gardens this week…

• Fall Flowers: While many blooms fade this time of year, some are just getting going! Among them, tall perennial Asters, Colchicum and fall-blooming crocuses, Goldenrod, deep blue Aconitum (Monk’s Hood) and of course Chrysanthemums.

• Be sure to admire the luxurious Silver Lace Vine—another excellent form
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Don’t Miss It! Week of Sept. 21

Fall is an amazing time in the Gardens! Be sure to take advantage of blue skies and cooler temperatures–come to the Gardens and enjoy these beauties.  Here are a few things to look for this week.

• The Joy of Succulents: While spring belongs to Delosperma, fall showcases a number of sedums, which flower or otherwise show off this time of year.

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The Wisdom of Mutual Discovery

“What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." ~William Shakespeare

Ambassador Jan here! Wanna know a little secret of mine? I actually do not know the names of ALL the plants at Denver Botanic Gardens. That’s right. I’ll give you a minute to get over the shock….

Fact is, there are about 14,500 taxa (differently named species and/or cultivars) at the Gardens. Furthermore, about 3,000 plants are accessioned (acquired for the collections) each year —they may not necessarily be brand-new-to-DBG taxa, though some are.
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Let the Games Continue III

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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Aghast! A key! …….

Is it agaSTASHee? Aga-stach-ay?

Sunset Hyssop (Agastache rupestris)

is it Aghasta(phlegm)ee, how the heck do we pronounce the darned thing? Even ten years ago most of us would not have known an Agastache from a….from a….
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