When coming to the Gardens to enjoy springtime blooms, you may be surprised to learn that we also incorporate wildlife observations into some of our research projects.</p> One such research project uses a system of motion-sensing trap cameras strategically placed along Deer Creek at Chatfield Farms to monitor wildlife activity. Deer Creek cuts diagonally through the 700 acre property and serves as a hub for many types of wildlife including (but not limited to) deer, beaver, raccoons, waterfowl, coyotes, skunk and even the occasional bobcat. In collecting several years of data, we are now noticing clear patterns in seasons, time of day, creek flow, etc.</p> Under the supervision of Dr. Rebecca Hufft, associate director of applied conservation, I have been managing the trap camera program. Once a month, I make the trip down to Chatfield Farms to service these cameras. This involves swapping out eight batteries per camera (rechargeable, of course) as well as an SD card. With this fresh data in hand, I then make a visit once per week to the York Street location to audit the photos and footage from the previous month’s data. I look forward to these volunteer shifts all week and often reward myself with a walk around the Gardens after I have finished my audit for the day.</p> If you have land and are curious about which critters frequent your property, you can set up your very own trap camera. Many options are available online for under $100, and YouTube provides a number of tutorials on how to set these up and service them. You never know what you may find in your own backyard!</p> Please enjoy some of my favorite gems below.</p> This blog post was written by Christina Brandt, a volunteer in the Research & Conservation Department.</em></p> </iframe></p> Raccoon (Procyon lotor</em>) - Downstream camera - 4/15/2017, 5 a.m.</p> </iframe></p> Coyote (Canis latrans</em>) - Downstream Camera - 7/14/2017, 8 p.m.</p> </iframe></p> North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) - </em>Downstream camera - 6/3/2016, 2:23 a.m.</p>
Sneaky Spines and Careful Measurements</h3>Sweeping western slope views, slightly menacing rain clouds and beautiful, tough plants surrounded us. I listened for my field partner to shout out cactus dimensions and wrote each number into its proper cell on the data sheet while picking prickly pear spines out of my hand (more seasoned Coloradans seem to avoid this indignity). Spine-avoidance wasn’t the only thing I learned when I joined the annual Sclerocactus glaucus </em>monitoring expedition</a> last year, one of several long-term scientific research projects in which Gardens staff and volunteers check in on populations of rare plants. I’m grateful for all I learned about the species, its habitat, and the craft of field botany. Plus, now I know that young cacti are called "pups."</p>Alternately giddy with the thrills of being out in the wild with amazing scientists and naturalists, and uncomfortable from kneeling between plants over long days in all weathers, what kept me going was the fact that we were collecting important information to help manage this rare species. Now, finally, after compiling all the information over the winter, the results are in! You can see some of our findings and catch up on recent progress across the many, many research projects at the Gardens in the 2017 Science Year in Review</a>.</p>Sclerocactus glaucus</em>, endemic to western Colorado, is federally listed as threatened, under pressure from energy extraction, other human development and, occasionally, cactus poachers. By counting plants and characterizing their life history traits in the same locations annually, we can learn about the basic biology of this species and how it responds to long-term environmental variation. Each year, we locate every Sclerocactus glaucus </em>plant within the same defined plots and measure each plant’s height and diameter with calipers, recording any signs of flowering or damage from herbivores. With this information, we can answer questions like: How fast do individual cacti grow? Which bloom? How many new young plants do we see? This dataset also allows us to monitor the health of these populations, tracking local year-to-year growth and decline. Our results are critically useful to our collaborators at the Bureau of Land Management and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.</p>On the whole, the 2017 count totals show that our Sclerocactus</em> glaucus </em>populations are doing pretty well. There was a slight increase from 2016 numbers, with generally stable populations in recent years, and there are far more cacti than in 2008 when the study was initiated. In total, our team of 11 people counted and measured more than 1,000 individual cacti at 10 locations last year.</p>In the moment of performing most research tasks (like recording a cactus diameter), it’s easy to lose sight of the larger purpose. Fieldwork is great fun, but it is also deeply satisfying to look back on the results of our work in context.</p>This blog post was written by Jessie Berta-Thompson, Ph.D., adjunct researcher with the Research & Conservation Department at Denver Botanic Gardens.</em> </p>
When it comes to the Gardens’ commitment to water stewardship, thinking 'Inside the Box' can make a difference. Today we will stop selling bottled water at our two restaurants – the Hive and Offshoots. Instead, visitors will be able to purchase Just Water’s boxed water.</p> </p> This move accomplishes two goals: first, it reduces the waste generated by single-use plastic water bottles; second, it provides visitors with responsibly sourced packaged water. More than 80 percent of the packaging for Just Water comes from renewable sources – and the box’s manufacturing process produces 74 percent less carbon emissions than a similarly sized plastic bottle.</p> Bottled water has attracted a lot of negative attention in the last few years for its often irresponsible sourcing – stories of aquifers being depleted by over-pumping have been common. Just Water partners with a town in upstate New York to buy excess municipal water (at six times the local water rate). This premium helps fund infrastructure repairs for an aging system.</p> </p> In Denver, we are fortunate to have high-quality drinking water straight from the tap – a bottle refill station is located inside the Boettcher Memorial Building for those of you who BYOB (bottle!). But, together with concessionaire Catering by Design, we’re pleased to offer this alternative.</p>
</p>Whether you have a tiny apartment balcony, a weathered urban stoop, or a broad, wrap-around deck, container gardening is a great way to be creative and experiment with new plants and designs. The possibilities and combinations are endless, and each gardener has a unique style and vision.</p>At our annual Spring Plant Sale, our horticulturists in the Container Garden in a Bag division have assembled six stunning collections</a> of plants designed to create beautiful container gardens on your porch or balcony. Or, if you’d rather design one yourself, they’ve put together some guiding principles to guarantee a successful container garden.</p>Location, Location, Location</strong>The type of container you use, and the area where it will be placed, should be considered to make sure your container garden will thrive.</p>Choose a well-thought-out and hospitable location for your container.</li>Factor in the paint color and lighting on your patio or balcony.</li>Choose plants that complement or contrast with your container so the colors of both are highlighted.</li></ul>Choosing Plants: Thriller, Filler, Spiller</strong>A well-designed container usually includes three kinds of plants: thrillers, fillers and spillers.</p>Thrillers </strong>are showy, ornamental plants that act as the focal points of the container and usually have interesting flowers or foliage.</li>Fillers</strong> tend to grow bushy and fill in empty spaces in the container, typically with showy flowers or foliage, but not in a way that distracts from the thriller.</li>Spillers</strong> have hanging or trailing growth habits that can cascade out of the sides of the container, softening its appearance and making it look more natural.</li></ul>Plants That Live Together… Well, Live Together</strong>A good container showcases plants that have similar growth requirements.</p>Light, water, and fertilizer needs should match fairly closely for all the plants in your container.</li>Choose plants with heights appropriate for the container you are planting in.</li>Low maintenance plants will be your friends!</li></ul>Beyond the Plants</strong>Once you have the right spot, the right container, and the right plants, you need just a few more things for a successful container garden</p>A quality fertilizer, used regularly throughout the growing season. Organic fertilizers are ideal as they do not burn the roots of the plants as easily as chemical fertilizers.</li>Quality potting soil that allows oxygen to the roots and retains moisture well. Look for soil that contains perlite or slow-release fertilizer</li></ul>But most importantly? Be creative and express yourself! Experiment with new plant or color combinations to personalize your garden and make it unique from any other. Stop by the Container Garden in a Bag division in Oak Grove for more expert advice on creating a container garden you’ll enjoy all summer long.</p>Admission to Spring Plant Sale and the Gardens is free on Friday, May 11 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on Saturday, May 12 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. </strong>Get here early to get the best pick of the plants, and don’t forget to bring a wagon to haul them around! </em>Here is more information about Spring Plant Sale.</em></a></p>The Plant Sale Preview Party on May 10 is SOLD OUT.</em></p>
</p> Book your family or corporate summer picnic with us at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms! We are offering an early booking incentive</strong> if you book before May 31, 2018</strong>.</p> We will waive your Facility Prep Fee, include table and chair rentals based on availability, and no hourly rental minimum. This incentive offer is for picnic rentals only.</p> CHATFIELD FARMS</strong></a> 8500 W Deer Creek Canyon Road Littleton, CO 80128</p> Schedule a site visit today!</strong> 720-865-4339 | chatfieldrentals@botanicgardens.org</strong></a></p>
</p> In late 2017, the All-America Selections Garden (directly west of the Steppe Garden) was re-named the Annuals Garden and Pavilion. The garden remains a display garden with ever-changing displays of annuals that are winners of the All-America Selections (AAS) program.</p> The AAS program was started in 1932 by seedsman W. Ray Hastings. Prior to 1932, consumers had little to no information on what types of flowers and vegetables performed well in their part of the country. Hastings encouraged seed companies to set up trial grounds to test new varieties and rate which ones were superior in performance. Plants that performed well by generating abundant produce or showing extraordinary large or vibrant flowers were given the All-America Selections award. Consumers could see this stamp of approval and know that seeds they purchased would be winners in their gardens. The program continues today with AAS trial gardens and AAS display gardens all over North America and has expanded by trialing not only annual flowers and vegetable varieties, but also perennial plants.</p> There are so many wonderful All-America Selections plants to create amazing gardens at your home. Look for plants and seed packets with the AAS logo at your local nursery or seed catalog. For a full list of All-America Selection Winners from 1932 to present visit the All-America Selections website</a>. </p> Below are some of my AAS favorites to look out for in the Annuals Garden and Pavilion this summer.</p>
Denver Botanic Gardens recently installed four solar-powered atmospheric water harvesters – three at York Street and one at Chatfield Farms. Using the power of the sun, these SOURCE units accelerate the condensation process to convert water vapor into water.</p> All but one of the harvesters, which are made by Phoenix-based Zero Mass Water</a>, are helping irrigate plants. The other offers visitors to the York Street location the opportunity to take a taste! Each SOURCE will generate between five and seven liters each day (not quite two gallons), storing up to 30 liters (almost 8 gallons) each in a built-in tank.</p> This is one example of many partnerships the Gardens has with entrepreneurs as well as government and corporate entities to showcase and test water-efficient innovations. These are the first SOURCE units to be incorporated into irrigation. The Gardens is showcasing this technology as a potential solution to growing vegetables in areas without reliable fresh water supplies.</p> Here is more information on other Gardens water-efficient partnerships, programs and initiatives</a>.</p>
</p> Though we began booking events for this summer over a year ago, we’ve had a handful of excellent dates become available on the calendar, and we want to fill them with YOUR events! Celebrate with your friends and loved ones while the Gardens show their true colors during our peak blooming season. </p> On select dates June-August, you can save up to 25% off your facility rental fee when you book a new event.</strong> With daytime and evening availability at both indoor and outdoor rental sites, our venues can host intimate gatherings for small groups or large parties of up to 1,000 plus.</p> Give your guests a party to remember, surrounded by the horticultural delights of Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street, and we’ll provide you with memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. </p> To learn more and to set up a tour appointment, contact us at private.events@botanicgardens.org</a> or call 720-865-3551.</p> Offer applies to new bookings only. Some exclusions apply. Cannot be combined with any other discounts. </em></p>
Denver Botanic Gardens’ Center for Global Initiatives</a> and the One World One Water Center (OWOW)</a> are part of a binational effort to spur more collaborative management of the Colorado River for social, economic and environmental benefit on both sides of the border. The River Sisters Partnership will work to strengthen the protection and restoration of the Colorado River.</p> The Gardens is a signatory to a recent memorandum of understanding (MOU)</a>, signed March 22, 2018 between the City of Denver and the city of San Luis Río Colorado (Sonora, Mexico) that lays out several cross-border collaborations.</p> As part of the agreement, the Gardens will spearhead the development of a master plan for a botanic garden incorporating wastewater from the Mexican city’s wastewater plant. This work is part of the Gardens’ commitment to helping build and expand capacity for botanic gardens globally through the Center for Global Initiatives and to furthering water-wise landscape and agricultural practices through OWOW, a collaboration with Metropolitan State University of Denver.</p>
Mirroring the natural alpine and woodland habitats that the Rock Alpine Garden is inspired by, spring is a great time to walk through this garden. Both alpine and woodland plants bloom early in the year in response to the physical restraints of their native environments.</p> Alpines are programmed to bloom as soon as the snow melts in their native environments. Plants you might find on Loveland Pass or Trail Ridge Road blooming in late June or July bloom in Denver in April.</p> One of the best areas to see true alpines in the Rock Alpine Garden is the crevice garden on the south side of the main path — Draba</em>, Potentilla</em> and Erigeron</em> bloom in tight north facing crevices. Additional areas to see true alpines are in the various troughs scattered through the garden — Silene acaulis</em>, Polemonium viscosum</em>, and Hymenoxys grandiflora</em> should flower by the end of the month. The north side of the Cactus and Succulent house is another great place to focus on the early flowers of Draba</em> from Eurasia, and the mat and cushion forming plants that creep and crawl amongst the rocks.</p> One of my most favorite “secret areas” in the Rock Alpine Garden is the far southern path that takes visitors along the far southern edge of the garden along the perimeter fence. It passes through some of the best woodland areas in the rock garden. Take time to enjoy the full variety of plants in the densely-planted area. If one enters the path near the crevice garden at the east entrance near the South African Plaza and you continue on this path, it will take you into more woodland areas of the rock garden which rarely get the visitation they deserve. Passing down a slight slope take in the various Lenten roses (Helleborus</em>) and woodland sweet peas (Lathryus vernus</em>) along the path.</p> A spectacular show awaits visitors in the far southwest corner of the Rock Alpine Garden along the stucco wall at the boundary with the neighbors. Here a beautiful display of Helleborus</em>, Corydalis</em>, wind flowers (Anemone</em>), bloodroot (Sanguinaria</em>) and violets (Viola</em> odorata</em>) create a tapestry of color in April. Many woodland plants are programmed like alpines to bloom during a short season. Unlike plants high on top of a mountain which are delayed until warm temperatures melt the snow, woodland plants bloom in early spring before the trees above leaf out and block out the sun. This means the woodland areas are at their best in April as well.</p> I hope you can make it to the Rock Alpine Garden in the month of April. While you are at the Gardens make sure and check out the alpine section of the Mordecai Children’s Garden</a> — it should be in prime color as well.</p>
