This time of year there is no end of vibrant, glorious color at Denver Botanic Gardens. May I remind you that green
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Podophyllum emodi
Anyone who grew up in the Midwest knows the modest, nodding May Apple (Podophyllum peltatum) ubiquitous in the woods there. I suspect that not one in twenty visitors
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Good things come to those who wait we are told. Helleborus vesicarius seedlings were set out in spring of 2006 after a supplier donated a pot full of 20 seedlings with the warning that it was a very tricky species to grow. He was in Virginia, not exactly a similar climate to southern Turkey and northern Syria where it is native. Denver is perhaps not an exact match either, but closer with summer drought broken only by sporadic thunderstorms.
Originating from montane elevations in alkaline clay soils, it has so far been hardier than predicated. ”Hellebores: a Comprehensive Guide” by C. Colston Burrel and Juduth Knot Tyler guessed zone 7. It has survived -10 degrees Fahrenheit with almost no snow cover
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Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)
Despite the balmy 54 degrees Fahrenheit it is as I write this, today is the official start of winter. The winter solstice not only marks the official start of winter but ironically the return to longer and eventually warmer days. Winter has already made several visits to Denver long before the winter solstice this year. 
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Autumn is imbued with intimations of mortality: dying leaves, dormancy, doom, gloom, Hallowe’en colors and ghosts and spooks: Boo! Gardeners know
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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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My xeriscape at home is a tragedy right now: masses of giant larkspur, horned poppies, mullein–all twice as big as they should be–all flopping and smothering any little gems below. Depressing. But in my back yard my rock work is garlanded and festooned, embellished and just plain SAVED by that herb of grace, Oregano. I’m not talking about culinary oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum),
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