greenhouse complex

Funded by the citizens of Denver through the Better Denver Bond Campaign, the new Greenhouse Complex will serve as a ‘growing’ resource. This much needed complex will enhance existing programs and create opportunities for the development of new programs. Opens Sept. 4, 2010. Free admission to the Gardens for Denver residents on Monday, Sept. 6 as a thanks for voting for the Better Denver Bond Program, which made this project possible.
 

The 50,000 square-foot complex consists of 16,000 square feet of new state-of-the-art greenhouses with flexibility for 12 climate control areas, a renovated Marnie’s Pavilion, an Orangery, a public classroom and horticulture department offices.

The greenhouses will house our tropical, orchid & bromeliad, cactus & succulent, and aquatic collections. Production and propagation spaces will allow for in-house production and growing of plants for displays, research and education. Visible to the public, these greenhouses will provide visitors a better understanding of all the operations that happen behind the scenes in creating our beautiful and dynamic displays. The addition of a plant tissue culture lab will expand our propagation research and production.

As visitors exit the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory through the west end, they will be greeted by the sound of waterfalls and gushing water as they transition into the renovated Marnie’s Pavilion. A two story display housing orchids, bromeliads, ferns and aquatic plants in rock crevices with water meandering around will be the focal point. Educational programming throughout will provide information about tropical ecosystems, their diversity, functions and importance.

The Orangery will be a beautiful transitional space between the greenhouses and the outdoor gardens, reminiscent of traditional European Renaissance garden displays. With citrus trees and other seasonal colorful plants, this space consists of roll-up doors that will remain open during seasonable weather, spilling the plant displays outside into the terrace. The entire complex will be enhanced by aesthetic landscaping around the terrace and entry into the complex.