Noticing What’s Around Us

The Gardens’ summer exhibit, “Urban Nature,” not only brings in references to the City through street murals and horticultural practices, it also challenges us to notice the little things around us. Humans, nature, and urban living collide regularly – it’s up to us to take notice.

Early this spring I was mesmerized by plants breaking through concrete and black top at a gas station. Unwanted? Maybe. A beautiful point of contrast? Definitely.

Urban Nature is on its Way

I saw works by a few of the artists contributing this summer’s Urban Nature exhibit here at Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street just recently. Their work is so striking! Unfortunately, the official announcement of the material is still under wraps so all I can say is “It’s gonna be great! Stay tuned!”

Fortunately, I can say that Rick Darke’s public appearance on April 1st is titled In Your Face: Ethics and Urban Ecology. Both prolific writer and speaker, he seems perfect to set the stage for a conversation here in Denver. The New York Times recently visited his home in Pennsylvania to learn about his world gardening philosophy. According to the article, Mr. Darke said, “A sensible palette takes a global ethic. You never want to do anything potentially damaging to any habitat. But if we are going to keep spaces green around the world, we can’t restrict the garden to plants that existed before anybody touched it.”

The frogs have started to call

We’ve had the poison dart frogs here in the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory since early November when they were still pretty young. Conservatory staff members have been raising fruit flies, dusting them with vitamins, and feeding them to the frogs every day since then, and we are amazed at how much the frogs have grown.

The calling is done by the male frogs, who are trying to impress potential mates with their beautiful trilling song.
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Escape to the Tropics

If you are looking for something amazing to do at the Gardens right now, visit our Cloud Forest Tree exhibit, at the west end of the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory. The Cloud Forest Tree and the Boettcher Tropical Conservatory always have something blooming, so even when it is cold and snowy in Denver, you can escape to the tropics at Denver Botanic Gardens.