There are 26 native orchid species (family Orchidaceae) in Colorado. Native orchids often rely on specific pollinators or fungal partners, which can limit their ranges. But while many are uncommon and have specific partners, some species can be invasive and generalist. Recently, we’ve been documenting both an uncommon orchid and a potentially invasive orchid—both for conservation-related reasons. </p> Orchids often require a fungal partner for germination, but the coralroot orchids (genus Corallorhiza</em>) are fascinating because they take the relationship further and remain parasitic on the fungus throughout their life. Instead of photosynthesizing, they totally rely on their fungal partner for energy. Therefore, they don’t quite look like regular plants. They lack true leaves and green coloring. They spend much of the year underground, as rootlike structures, only appearing above-ground as a flowering stalk in the spring. </p> In summer of 2024, our team discovered a population of striped coralroot orchid (Corallorhiza striata</em>) at Chatfield Farms. The striped coralroot had only been collected once in Jefferson County in 1905. This past summer 2025, I discovered the second at Bear Creek Lake Park. This population is vulnerable because it is in a heavily trafficked area and there is the prospect of expanding the park’s reservoir. We worked with the park to document this population. Biodiversity documentation like this is essential for protecting vulnerable species and habitats. </p>
Chances are you visited the Gardens to see and learn about beautiful and diverse plants. You’ve come to the right place! A query of our living collections database, BG-BASE, provides a snapshot: Denver Botanic Gardens has 11,154 plant species representing 2,286 genera and 247 families from across the globe. Perhaps you’ve already made the connection that a diverse collection of plants provides habitat, shelter and food for urban wildlife, including birds. The Gardens’ many water features provide a fourth requisite—water. </p> These abundant resources have contributed to the Gardens becoming a hotspot for birds. According to the Cornell University's worldwide </span>eBird citizen science website</strong></a>, the community science tool for reporting birds, the combined location of Denver Botanic Gardens and Cheesman Park is the 20th best place to see birds in all of Denver County in terms of numbers of species. In fact, 153 species have been reported at this location—the first report to be documented on eBird was a golden eagle in 1981! While it is unlikely you will encounter a golden eagle during your visit, a host of other birds can be seen and heard daily, and a beautiful fall day at the Gardens is no exception. This walking tour invites you to look and listen for birds while you also enjoy the plants and their fall colors. </p> Begin your tour at Shady Lane </strong>and scan the row of crabapple trees (Malus</em> spp.) on the south side of the sidewalk. Known for showy flowers in spring, these trees provide a fall feast for frugivorous birds (birds who specialize in eating fruit) including American robins and cedar waxwings. The latter is a treat to see—overall buff brown and gray, this species sports a head crest, black facemask, scarlet accents on wing feathers and tail feathers dipped in brilliant yellow. Fun fact: Cedar waxwings can become intoxicated on fermenting fruit after an intense feeding frenzy, so watch for tipsy birds. </li> Stroll down Shady Lane</strong> and look up at the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa</em>) trees behind the crabapples. Black-capped chickadees, which Cornell’s All About Birds refers to as universally cute, are easily spotted in this area. Their presence is often given away by their onomatopoeic call “chick-a-dee-dee” or another call, which to me sounds like “here kitty.” Chickadees are often found in mixed-feeding flocks feasting on insects, berries and pine seeds. Thus, if you spot a chickadee, look for other species including brown creepers, red- and white-breasted nuthatches, and even woodpeckers.</li> Continue down the sidewalk toward the Hive Garden Bistro</strong> and listen for a call that resembles a rusty flute playing a single note at a largo tempo—the song of the Townsend’s solitaire. When you arrive at the Hive </strong>and Monet Pool</strong>, scan for a solitary gray bird with white eye rings perched at the tops of trees, defending their territory. This bird, whose diet includes juniper berries, sings throughout the winter, bringing good cheer to western montane forests and urban neighborhoods alike.</li> Continue to the shrub communities of Dryland Mesa</strong> and Sacred Earth</strong>. Listen for soft twittering calls (helpful hint: Cornell Lab’s Merlin app</strong></a> will help you identify birds by song) and look for flocks of inconspicuous small gray birds. Bushtits often fly single file from one tree or shrub to another, so focus your attention on the junipers (Juniperus</em> spp.), pinyon pines (Pinus edulis</em>) and mountain mahoganies (Cercocarpus</em> spp.) scattered throughout. Social butterflies and perpetually on the move, bushtits can be seen at the Gardens year-round. Due to the multi-layered landscape of native plants in these two gardens, which provide both shelter and an array of food for birds, this is an excellent area to bird. So, linger for a while and listen for the buzzy and whiny calls of spotted towhees and watch for their orange, black and white feathers. Towhees forage for insects in leaf litter (in Colorado often Gambel oak, Quercus gambelii</em>) using a “double-scratching” technique. This maneuver involves hopping backward with two feet, which disturbs the leaf litter and the invertebrates that lie within, bringing them to the surface.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> Hopefully this tour enriched your experience by opening your eyes and ears to some of the many bird species found at the Gardens. Next time you visit, consider downloading the eBird Mobile app</strong></a> and reporting your findings to community science!</p> </p> Photos by Jen Toews</em></p>
Stop looking for love in all the wrong places! </h2> Visit the Shop at the Gardens to find that special gift for your Valentine. </h3> For Your Crush </h4> Let the cards express your feelings. Choose from Denver-based card company Idea Chic. These cards offer smooth designs with a pastel candy color palette to give to your sweetheart. The Shop also features Pagosa Springs watercolor artist June Jurcak whose artistry captures vibrant, passionate colors from a Colorado-inspired landscape – elegance in an envelope. Idea Chic</strong> $6 -$5 June Jurcak</strong> $5.50 </p> For Date Night </h4> Stay in for date night and draw a fizzy bath soak made from dead sea salts by Finchberry. Products are preservative free, vegan and handmade. Delight in scents like Darling, a tender fragrance of cherry blossoms, white lily, and violet petals; or bathe in Renegade Honey, a warm honey scent with flecks of gold swirled in a bouquet of amber and almonds. Check out our selection from Mixture, which specializes in small batch, handmade and environmentally friendly bath essentials. Scents like Lauren’s Lavender Garden or Salt and Sage are luxuriously relaxing and beautifully bottled like an aged wine. Light some candles to set the ambiance with Mixture’s 2 oz candles in scents like Blend de Noir – a complex mix of soft power, apple blossom, Anjou pear and lemon zest. Or go bold with Mixture’s black votive candle with notes of deep, woody amber kissed with lemon and lavender. Mixture also offers shave kits and beard groom kits to look and feel your handsomest when stepping out. Finchberry Fizzy Bath Soak</strong> $20 Mixture Bubble Bath</strong> $35 2 oz. votive</strong> $10.95 Mixture Shave Essentials</strong> $36 Beard Essentials</strong> $40 </p> Hello, Lover! </h4> Jewelry lover, that is! Explore our collection of jewelry with artists such as Jenny Walker, Left Hand Studios and Anabel Aram.</p> Anabel Aram’s collection of elegant gold-plated 18k brass jewelry has timeless beauty. Anabel Aram</strong> $65 - $345 Give a lasting reminder of the beautiful flowers at the Gardens. Walker uses vitreous enamel to create unique color variations found in nature. Jenny Walker</strong> $80 - $240 Longmont-based Left Hand Studios offers a variety of styles to fit your fancy, from cats in a widow to peacocks and the house plant parent. Left Hand Studio earrings</strong> $25 </p> Sweet Romance</h4> For your sweetheart with a sweet tooth. Delicious macarons look as pretty as a picture to present to your Valentine, with flavors like Lavender Lemonade, Red Velvet and Café Latte. And don’t forget, honey for your honey. The Shop carries Bee Squared and Highland Honey, both based in Colorado. With creamed honey to flavored honey, you’ll be sure to find a honey to top off tea for two. Finally, delight in Carbondale-based Pollinator Chocolate, whose bars come in delectable lavender or smooth dark cherry. Denver Macaron </strong>$9 (3 pack) - $18 (6 pack) Bee Squared</strong> $25 Honey Sticks </strong>Pack of 10 $5 Pollinator Chocolate</strong> $14</p> Gift Cards </h4> The Shop at the Gardens</a> has gift cards for your Valentine. Bring them to the Gardens for a romantic date where they can select what they love from the Shop, and then stroll the gardens, galleries and Orchid Showcase</a>.</p> Help support our core value of sustainability - bring your own tote or let us gift wrap your present with the purchase of a reusable bag. </p> Come celebrate Valentines Day with us! </strong>This gift guide was contributed by Melissa Silver</strong>, gift shop representative. Photos by Evan Wang</strong>, gift shop representative.</em></p>
