In Colorado, 2020 was notable for being the most destructive wildfire season in the state's recent history. That year alone, more than 660,000 acres burned with multiple new records set for Colorado’s largest wildfires. The Calwood Fire, a mixed-severity fire that burned north of the City of Boulder, burned approximately 10,000 acres, primarily made of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests. </p> While low-elevation ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests are fire-adapted, they are adapted to frequent, low to moderate severity fire. In contrast to low severity fire that maintains open forests of mature trees and abundant understory communities (shrubs, wildflowers and grasses), high severity fire results in high tree mortality, post-fire erosion and flooding, and delayed or inhibited forest recovery. While the effects of high severity fire on trees are evident, long-term impacts on understory communities are not as apparent. Depending on the ecosystem or time since fire, moderate and/or high severity fire has been found to both increase or decrease the diversity of understory species. </p> To examine how fire severity influences understory plant communities, I have been collecting data this summer in the Calwood burn scar within Heil Valley Ranch</a> in Boulder County for my master's thesis. In addition to capturing data on what species are growing and how abundant those different species are, I am also collecting soil cores to examine what species are present in the soil seed bank. This upcoming fall I will be germinating my soil samples in the greenhouses at the Gardens’ York Street location. This experiment will contribute to our understanding of what species have dormant seeds resting in the soil seed bank and thus what species are likely to return following subsequent fire or disturbance events. </p> This field season has been humbling with many hot days, endless difficulty in identifying grasses, charcoal-stained clothes and expansive fields of downed logs. I am beyond grateful for all the amazing volunteers and friends who have joined me out in the field to collect some quality data!</p> </p> This article was contributed by Botany Assistant Meredith Prentice</strong>.</em> </p>
Did you know the Gardens offers an inspiring lineup of homeschool enrichment programs designed for curious minds and nature-loving families? These hands-on experiences invite children and their grownups to learn side by side, blending science, art and nature in unforgettable ways.</p> Kicking off the fall season is Homeschool Day: Amazing Adaptations</a> (Sept. 15), where families explore how plants survive in extreme environments—from deserts to rainforests—and even design their own imaginative plant species.</p> If your family loves to get creative, the Homeschool Make and Take series</strong> is perfect. Explore a serene Japanese stroll garden and build your own miniature Japanese garden</a> (Oct. 6), or dive into the tropics and craft a vibrant rainforest terrarium (Nov. 10).</p> For a more structured classroom-style experience, check out the Science Studio for Homeschoolers</strong>. This fall’s offerings include From Plants to Paper</a> (Aug. 25), where students learn to make their own botanical paper, and Cyanotypes</a> (Oct. 20), a unique introduction to sun-powered photography.</p> Families can also enjoy special evening and weekend workshops, like From Garden to Art: Pressing Plants</a> and Monarchs in Motion</a>, extending learning beyond typical school hours.</p> All programs are designed for children ages 6–12, with materials provided and opportunities to create lasting memories.</p> Ready to grow your homeschool journey? Check out the full schedule</a> and register. Financial assistance</a> is available to ensure every family can participate. </p>
Last year, I wrote a blog about my plan for field research on the Avery Peak Twinpod</a>. I was investigating what affects the reproduction within and between the populations of this rare, alpine species. Long story short, my field research during 2024 at three populations of this species did not find large differences in these populations’ reproduction, which was different than what we observed during 2023! But I wanted to highlight another aspect of the data we collected at six populations with the help of several volunteers: the animals that interacted with the Avery Peak Twinpod</a>.</p> The Avery Peak Twinpod was very popular with flower visitors</em> – a term used for potential pollinators, since we don’t know whether these animals are effectively pollinating the plants. There were several kinds of flies and bees detected sitting on the plants’ reproductive organs appearing to gather either pollen or nectar, an activity that often facilitates pollination. We also noted ants, beetles, moths and even one mite, among others. </p> In contrast to the diversity of potential pollinators, it appeared that there was one specific kind of beetle larvae that preferred eating the Avery Peak Twinpod’s flowers, and very occasionally their leaves. I posted photos of these larvae on iNaturalist</a>, and reached out to several entomologists to try to find out what the larvae could be. The entomologists guessed that the larvae were some kind of leaf beetle (family: Chrysomelidae). They discussed potential identifications and referred me to other scientists that could weigh in. With the help of Rob Westerduijn and Dr. Chris Reid, we concluded that the larvae are likely red turnip beetles (Entomoscelis americana</em>). Red turnip beetles are native to North America, are known to eat mustard species, and their larvae can eat farmed crops like kale and other cruciferous vegetables. Adult beetles mostly eat pollen and aren’t as voracious. This identification was further supported by the fact that red turnip beetles are the most commonly observed leaf beetle species in alpine areas on iNaturalist. </p> We also observed some tiny parasitic larvae</a> that caused the leaves of the Avery Peak Twinpod to swell up while they matured. Dr. Matt Bertone believes they are gall midges, a kind of parasitic fly (family: Cecidomyiidae). With the joint effort of several scientists, these observations reveal more about the role the Avery Peak Twinpod plays in its ecosystem. </p> This article was contributed by graduate student My-Lan Le</strong>.</em></p>
Discovering new ways to increase the success rate of ecological restoration efforts is paramount, and we in the Research & Conservation Department at Denver Botanic Gardens are excited about a new project that will contribute to this very area! </p> In partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), we are growing several native plant species in an agricultural setting. The goal of this project is to develop best-cultivation protocols for mass commercial seed growers as well as to produce seed stock for local projects aiming to restore ecosystems post-wildfire. The seeds we are working with have been collected via BLM’s Seeds of Success program, which aims to preserve and increase the availability of native plant materials for restoration projects around the country and to capture as much genetic diversity within each species as possible. The more we know about the genetic background of our seed stock, the better we can predict which populations will do best in which geographic locations, and this will greatly enhance the effectiveness of our projects. </p> We are currently working on four native plant species: Heterotheca villosa</em> (hairy false goldenaster), Phacelia crenulata</em> (scorpion notchweed), Sphaeralcea coccinea </em>(scarlet globemallow) and Stanleya pinnata</em> (desert prince’s plume). For the last few months, I have been working with Dr. Rebecca Hufft, our associate director of climate resilience, to develop a plan and design for growing out these species and experimenting with different cultivation practices along the way, from in-house stratification and germination methods to in-field planting and seed harvesting strategies. </p> At this stage in the game, we have successfully grown at least 150 individuals of each species (for some that number is far greater) and have out-planted them in our research plots at Chatfield Farms</a>. Plants are establishing now, being watered sparingly via our drip-line irrigation system, and some have even begun to flower and produce fruit. As this first season goes on, we will continue to collect data on the plants to track their progress as well as add to our protocol and observations anything from watering timetables to common pollinator species witnessed. We plan to work with these species for the next few seasons and are looking to put together a plan for a fall seeding event as well. </p> Though this is just the beginning, I am excited and confident that projects like this have the potential to greatly improve our native seed stock deficit and give us the power to be more prepared and achieve far more lasting successes in the realm of ecological restoration!</span> </span></p> </span></p>
The lavender collection at Chatfield Farms has been growing strong since 2015. Several of the cultivars from the original installation can still be found in the collection today! But while the lavender plants persist for anywhere from five to 15 years, there are new and noteworthy additions each season. Whether replacing an old row, or trying out a new cultivar, the number of lavender varieties at Chatfield Farms continue to grow. </p> Lavandula </em>‘Ana Luisa’ is a cross between English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia</em>) and woolly lavender (Lavandula lanata</em>). This variety’s blue-grey foliage and very long flower stalks can be found among the perennial borders, blooming for the first time this summer. ‘Ana Luisa’ is a new hybrid species to the collection and increases the total species count in the collection. </p> Also, among the borders is Lavandula angustifolia</em> ‘Maillette’. This French cultivar is often used in essential oil production due to its high-quality oils and is known to be one of the sweeter smelling lavender cultivars. Make sure to spy ‘Maillette’ on your next walk through the Lavender Garden</a>. </p> Making its debut in the Lavender Garden is Lavandula multifida</em> ‘Torch Minty Ice’ (fernleaf lavender). This species originates in the much warmer climates of North Africa and is also known as Egyptian lavender. While not suitable for Colorado winters, Lavandula multifida</em> can be grown as an annual herb. The scent of this species is very different than a typical lavender smell. Find Lavandula multifida </em>in the borders this summer give it a sniff for yourself!</p> In the east lavender fields, you may find a new name. Lavandula angustifolia</em> ‘Wyckoff’ is a cultivar originating from the Pacific Northwest of the United States. While it is difficult to get started, once established, this cultivar is an excellent choice for dried arrangements and culinary purposes. </p> Looking way across to the western lavender fields is Lavandula angustifolia</em> ‘New Zealand Blue’. This sweet-smelling cultivar comes all the way from…New Zealand! While many are familiar with lavender production in France and Mediterranean areas, modern lavender production has led to over 450 varieties cultivated all around the globe. New hybrids and varieties are regularly introduced into cultivation so there is always something new to see.</p> The lavender will be in full bloom for the month of July. Be sure to stop by and visit all the old and new lavender varieties at Chatfield Farms during Lavender Festival</a>, July 19 and 20</strong>. Tickets are still available – get yours today. </p>
Did you know that Chatfield Farms</a> has two herb gardens? For years we had a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) herb garden and a Denver Botanic Gardens Guild</a> production garden. After years of working their herb garden, the CSA relinquished its prime spot in front of the Hildebrand house in 2024. The horticulture team took over management of this space and the Guild took over maintenance. </p> In the fall of 2024, I started developing some concepts for a new herb garden. This new garden needed to serve multiple purposes, including producing herbs for the Guild, creating a learning space for our Education Department, and enriching the guest experience. We wanted it to retain a kitchen garden feel, befitting its location right outside the historical homestead.</p> I met with the Guild at the end of 2024, and they generously donated funds for this new project. Earlier this year, we finalized the design and got bids for construction. By April, we were demolishing the old, tired row herbs in favor of raised beds and accessible pathways. We partnered with a company called Earth Love Gardens</a> to install our new raised beds. They specialize in permaculture and edible gardens. </p> On May 28, members of the Guild, Aaron Michael (owner of Earth Love Gardens) and some of Denver Botanic Gardens’ staff came together to install all the plant material. We planted more than 1,500 plants! With another generous donation of planter pots and a beautiful bench from one of our volunteers, we were able to create a destination garden where anyone can browse our herbs, take a rest and enjoy Hildebrand Ranch gardens. </p>
