One of springtime’s reminders that all is new are spring-blooming bulbs. Since our visitors cannot stroll through the Annuals Garden and Pavilion during this time when tulips and hyacinths are bursting, I’d like to share this virtual tour.</p> Begin your virtual tour at the main entrance to the Annuals Garden and Pavilion just south of the Oak Grove and Lainie’s Cutting Garden. To your right and left are a mix of Darwin hybrid tulips called Big Ups®. Darwin hybrids are the largest tulips available and are known for their huge blossoms.</li> Walk forward and find yourself under the large pavilion; to your left in the raised bed, notice the deep dark tulip. This Triumph tulip is called ‘Paul Scherer’. Gaze upon this blossom in the afternoon shadows and this darkest of purple tulips appears almost black. Interplanted among the tulips are Papaver nudicaule </em>‘Wonderland White’ (Icelandic poppies). Sorbet® Lilac Ice and Sorbet® XP Blackberry violas (Viola cornuta </em>‘PAS211805’ and ‘PAS867911’ respectively) add another lower carpeted layer of light and dark hues. Hyacinthus</em> orientalis</em> ‘Fondant’ and ‘Dark Dimension’ echoed this light and dark contrast when they peaked in mid-April.</li> Turning 180 degrees, notice the ‘Champagne Bubbles Pink’ Icelandic poppies (P. nudicaule)</em> popping their cheerful blossoms above the yellow pansies. You may be surprised to learn that the Icelandic poppies, pansies and violas planted in this garden were planted in the fall at the same time as the bulbs. These cool-season annuals provide color in the fall, overwinter, and re-emerge in springtime for an early blast of color.</li> Now walk to the south where three promenade beds greet you with a bold mix of orange and purple. Merry Go Round™ is a mix of three different tulip varieties: purple lily-flowered, purple double-flowering and orange double-flowering.</li> On the south side of the promenade beds is a long stretch of pale lilac-colored Triumph tulips called ‘Silver Cloud’. Named after the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud model, this luxurious tulip does not disappoint. The stately tulips are adorned by fragrant hyacinths called ‘Blue Jacket’. Sturdy-stemmed Triumph tulips are a cross of early blooming and late blooming tulips to make a mid-season bloomed variety. About 3,200 bulbs are planted in this stretch surrounding Amelanchier </em>× grandiflora </em>‘Robin Hill’ (Robin Hill serviceberries), Alnus incana </em>ssp. tenuifolia</em> (mountain alders), Hydrangea</em> quercifolia</em> ‘Pee Wee’ (Pee Wee oakleaf hydrangeas) and Laburnum </em>× watereri </em>‘Vossii’ (goldenchain trees).</li> Look to the north of the promenade beds and you will find a sea of large apricot-colored Darwin hybrid tulips called ‘Daydream’. This raised bed boasts butter-colored and coral-colored hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis </em>‘City of Haarlem’ and H. </em>‘Gipsy Queen’) planted in between the tulips.</li> </ul> The garden is beautiful but there is something missing—our visitors. Until we meet in the garden again remember, “Hope springs eternal.” </p>
You might think that there is nothing beautiful to see in the garden during the winter months, but if you slow down and take a closer look you may be surprised.</p> In the summer a tree’s bark is often overshadowed by its brilliant leaves, fragrant blooms and vibrant fruit, but it is a very important part of the tree. The bark serves as armor to ward off insects and drought; it is the life support of the tree, with inner layers carrying water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the tree, and sugars made during photosynthesis in the leaves traveling down in another interior layer, the phloem; and it is the face of the tree, giving it definition, character and beauty.</p> As a tree matures, the growth of the outer layer can’t keep up with the expanding of the wood growing underneath, and so the bark begins to form different shapes and textures as it grows and repairs itself.</p> Each tree species has its own unique bark pattern, and with some keen observation you will begin to see the hidden layers of beauty that trees hold.</p> As you start your tour walking down the allée of crabapple trees (Malus </em>spp. and cultivars) in Shady Lane you will notice that the trees to your left are much larger then the trees on the right. That’s because the trees on your left were planted in the late 1970s and the trees on the right were planted after 2010 when the new greenhouses were built. Now, look at the difference in the bark. You will discover that the tree’s bark changes with age. Young trees often have smooth, flawless bark; as the tree ages the bark begins to transform and weather, creating unique patterns specific to that tree species.</li> As you enter Oak Grove, notice the similarities of their bark patterns. The large bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa,</em> in the center of the grove has very furrowed bark patterns. Can you see any other furrowed bark in Oak Grove?</li> Exit Oak Grove at the west end and turn right, back toward Shady Lane. On your left you can’t miss the bald cypress, Taxodium distichum</em> ‘Pendens’, and its magnificent bark. The curling bark keeps outer bark thin, allowing sunlight to reach the photosynthetic cork skin, giving the tree an extra boost before its needles flush out in the spring. Yes, trees perform photosynthesis through their bark, although not as efficiently as through leaves; this helps sustain the tree during the winter months.</li> As you walk around the pond to the Hive Garden Bistro, the large hackberry trees, Celtis occidentalis,</em> tower over the patio with their unique bark structure. Examine this bark and compare the difference between the trunk and the newer branch bark. Hackberries are known for their warty bark texture and this is best displayed as you look up at the tree’s branches.</li> Make your way to the cutleaf European white birch trees, Betula pendula</em> ‘Gracilis’, next to the wooden bridge near Cheesman Gate. This unique bark is not only stunning in the garden, but this white color reflects sunlight and reduces potential for sun damage, especially during our winter months.</li> </ul> Take some time as you walk through the rest of the Gardens to slow down and observe the countless patterns and textures that tree bark displays. Realizing that bark is not only a vital part of a tree’s structure, but that it also defines the tree’s beauty will help you see trees during the winter months in a whole new way.</p>
If the short days of winter have you longing for colorful tropical blossoms, there is no better place to get your flower-fix than the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory. There are hundreds of plants to see and many are in bloom and ready to chase your winter doldrums away.</p> As you enter from the main lobby, you are immediately greeted by a clump of Dichorisandra </em> thyrsiflora</em> </em>or blue ginger. While the common name suggests this plant is in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae</em>) it is actually in the same family as Tradescantia</em> or wandering Jew (Commelinaceae</em>). This plant blooms sporadically throughout the year and warrants a close-up look.</li> While you are in the area, look in the pond and see if you can spot our new bird residents. The Denver Zoo has loaned us a pair of Hottentot teal (Spatula hottentota</em>) for our visitors to enjoy. These small ducks are native to eastern and southern Africa as wells as Madagascar where they hang out in shallow pools and marshy areas. Having an animal presence in the Boettcher Tropical Conservatory helps underline the importance of complete ecosystems – where plant and animal life both flourish.</li> Across from the pond and along the south pathway, you can see Clerodendrum </em>x speciosum</em> or glorybower putting on a big display. There are many colorful parts to this flower. The bright orange-red petals, the pink/lavender calyx and the metallic green sheen of the fruits. This colorful vine is native to tropical Africa.</li> Along the north wall next to the elevator is a beautiful clump of Seemannia sylvatica</em> or Bolivian gloxinia. This colorful member of the African violet family (Gesneriaceae</em>) is native to South America – mainly in Bolivia and Peru. Take a look inside the flower and enjoy all the detailed patterns.</li> At the west end of the Boettcher Tropical Conservatory near the exit, you will find a cute little ornamental pineapple – Ananas lucidus </em>‘Red Smoothie'. The species parents of this cultivated variety would be found growing naturally as a terrestrial bromeliad across much of South America. The brightly colored fruit is mainly ornamental and too "woody” to be worth eating.</li> Behind the pineapple is a large clump of Costus barbatus</em> or spiral ginger. Although these look like large flowers, the red segments are not part of the actual flower itself. The true flowers are the small yellow blossoms at the top which are pollinated by hummingbirds. This plant is native to Costa Rica.</li> </ul> There are many more flowers to discover as you explore the Boettcher Tropical Conservatory. We hope you’ve enjoyed your winter escape.</p>
With cooler weather and an overnight hail storm punctuating the early weeks of our growing season, the water gardens got off to a slightly slower start this year. Fortunately, our extensive collection of aquatic plants has made a triumphant comeback, and August is a great month to take a walk around the ponds to see them in their full glory. </p> Begin your stroll at the small pool in the Ellipse garden, home to the Chihuly sculpture, Colorado. A unique plant displayed in this pool is mosaic plant (Ludwigia sedioides</em>). This South American native thrives in warmer water, making this small pool the ideal spot for it to show off its intricate pattern of tiny floating leaves arranged in a mosaic pattern on the water’s surface. Hardy and tropical waterlilies (Nymphaea</em> hybrids), along with Colocasia </em>and Canna</em> hybrids, round out the display in this pond.</p> Head west to the Romantic Gardens’ pool, where you will find a display of Australian waterlily species and hybrids. These waterlilies are also a bit finicky, requiring consistently warm water and sunny weather to grow. Too many cloudy, cool days and they can quickly decide to go dormant. The Romantic Gardens’ pool is not connected to our recirculating waterway system and therefore the water temps stay an average of seven to 10 degrees warmer, making it the perfect summer home for these tropical day-blooming waterlilies. Flowers can reach up to 10 inches in diameter and are held high above the water, making for a show-stopping scene. In the center of this pool, two Santa Cruz water platters (Victoria cruziana</em>) surround a central recirculating fountain.</p> Continuing to the west, you will find the Four Towers Pool. This pond borders the south and west sides of the Science Pyramid and showcases a collection of hardy intersubgeneric waterlilies (crosses between hardy and tropical waterlilies that have proven to be winter hardy here in Denver) as well as gorgon plants (Euryale ferox</em>), hardy waterlilies, tropical waterlilies and an assortment of marginal plants (plants that typically grow in shallow water around the margins of a pond), including Canna</em> ‘Ermine’, C.</em> ‘Blueberry Sparkler’, Egyptian papyrus (Cyperus papyrus</em>), Mexican papyrus (C. giganteus</em>), swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus </em>‘Peppermint Flare’), and golden reed (Phragmites australis</em> ‘Aurea’).</p> As you follow the waterway heading west to the Steppe Garden, you will find bog bean (Menyanthes trifoliata</em>) flanked by islands planted with marginal plants including marsh marigold (Caltha palustris</em>), calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica</em> ‘White Giant’) and monkey flower (Erythranthe guttata</em>). Curators are currently experimenting with other steppe region species to see if they will also thrive in the boggy soil on these islands—stay tuned!</p> The next pool on our walking tour can be found at the west end of the Steppe Garden just as you enter the Annuals Garden. This pool is home to a collection of taro (Colocasia</em>) hybrids that showcase the range of foliage and stem colors that have been developed in this genus. Colocasia esculenta </em>is also displayed in this pond with an interpretive sign detailing its importance as a food crop in tropical regions. Hardy and tropical waterlilies accent the display along with the native mare’s tail (Hippuris vulgaris</em>).</p> As you walk through the Annuals Garden, you will come to the next ponds on our tour which are situated on either side of the walkway at the north end of this garden. These pools highlight the Rocky Mountain Legacy Collection—waterlilies that have been tested for performance at Denver Botanic Gardens over the years and which have historical significance. This collection includes the hardy waterlilies ‘Colorado’, ‘Denver’, ‘Denver’s Delight’, ‘Joey Tomocik’, ‘Bea Taplin’, ‘Attorney Elrod’ and ‘Cynthia Ann’. Tropical waterlilies in the collection include ‘Stan Skinger’, ‘William McLane’ and ‘Bob Hoffman’.</p> The Sacred Earth waterway to the south of The Hive Garden Bistro is next on our tour. This small pool is home to a collection of native aquatic plants including Rocky Mountain pond lily/spatterdock (Nuphar polysepala</em>), bog bean (Menyanthes trifoliata</em>) and broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia</em>).</p> Finally, the last stop on our walking tour is Monet Pool, our largest display pond situated just north of The Hive and stretching west to the border of the Japanese Garden. This water garden features the always popular Victoria</em> ‘Longwood Hybrid’ water platters as well as hundreds of hardy and tropical waterlilies, water-loving Canna</em> hybrids, aquatic Iris</em> and other marginal plants including pickerel plant (Pontederia cordata</em>), lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus</em>), powdery thalia (Thalia dealbata</em>) and common rush (Juncus effusus</em>). Be sure to find the display of miniature hardy waterlilies and star waterlilies in the area near Le Potager at the southwest end of the Monet Pool to end your tour.</p>
Summer has finally arrived and Denver Botanic Gardens is beaming with flowers, visitors and events! This is a peak time to visit and enjoy the wide variety of gardens and plants it has to offer. Climbing plants are a key part of the displays in virtually every garden as they provide vertical interest as well as serve an essential ecological role for wildlife by providing habitat and food for many birds and pollinators.</p> As soon as you arrive and begin your journey into the Gardens, you will be greeted by Lonicera sempervirens</em> ‘Blanche Sandman’ (trumpet honeysuckle) inside the parking structure growing along the north side of the entrance with bright red blooms with yellow centers. Showy red berries follow on this vine and provide food for songbirds.</p> As you make your way to the Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center, you will come across several additional varieties of climbing plants including Aristolochia macrophylla</em> (Dutchman’s pipe), Vitis vinifera</em> ‘Purpurea’ (purple-leaf grape), Humulus lupulus</em> (hops) and Parthenocissis tricuspidata</em> ‘Green Showers’ (Boston ivy). These fine specimens are located along the East side of York Street growing along the Parking Garage trellis.</p> As you then enter the Gardens through the Visitor Center, make your way to the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory where you will find Ipomoea carnea,</em> a species of morning glory with stunning pink flowers that weave through the arbor located on the second floor on the northeast side of the Tropical Conservatory.</p> Continue meandering through the Gardens until you reach the Romantic Gardens, where you will find Wisteria</em> frutescens</em> var. macrostachya</em> ‘Aunt Dee’. This cold hardy climber thrives in full sun, has lilac blue flower clusters and is an ideal vine for covering trellises and fences.</p> Just a short distance from the Romantic Gardens is the Herb Garden, which has a large trellis covered in several varieties of seedless grape vines, including Vitis</em> ‘Reliance’, V.</em> labrusca</em> ‘Concord’, V. labrusca</em> ‘Canadice’, and V</em>. ‘Suffolk Red’. These incredibly delicious grape varieties will inspire you to grow your own grapes in your home garden.</p> As you continue your adventure through the many gardens of Denver Botanic Gardens, you will find other amazing climbing plants. Take note of these wonderful plants and set forth to create your own vertical garden!</p>
