DNA contains the information that can help create a plan for conserving populations of rare plants</a> in decline, inform strategies for restoring degraded ecosystems</a>, identify species</a>, describe new species</a> or decide that what were once considered multiple species should really only be one. Denver Botanic Gardens conducts genetic research</a> investigating all these topics, and to aid in doing so we have a plant tissue biobank. Formalized in 2016, our biobank currently contains over 12,000 samples. Each sample consists of a piece of leaf the size of a quarter or larger tucked into a coin envelope labeled with the taxon, collection date, location and collector.</p> The majority of these samples were collected contemporaneously with plant specimens that are bound for the herbarium</a>. Specimens in the herbarium are meant to be a representation of a plant at a particular place and time, and to be kept in good condition for a minimum of 300 years. Scientists can destructively sample herbarium specimens to obtain genetic material for analysis in the lab, but this must be done very carefully and sparingly. Having a separate tissue sample collected from the same individual negates this. Additionally, tissue samples are quickly dried at the time of collection using silica gel which better preserves DNA, allowing scientists to sequence the entire genome of a plant.</p> We also collect and keep tissue samples when studying the genetic variation within and among populations of rare plants in Colorado, such as Astragalus microcymbus</em>, the skiff milkvetch. Results from these studies guide conservation strategies and decisions, as well as contribute to our understanding of what makes species rare or susceptible to environmental changes.</p> To encourage botanical and ecological research, tissue samples are made available to the scientific community for use in their studies. This is achieved through the Global Genome Biodiversity Network</a>, a sort of marketplace where museums, gardens, and academic labs list their samples that can be requested and used by scientists and students across the globe. </p>
If I were to tell you to close your eyes and think of your favorite tree, what would it be? Maybe it’s the tree that you planted in memorial for a loved one, the tree you stand under at the bus stop or maybe just the tree you used to climb as a kid. Really, it’s the tree that if it were cut down, you would feel like a little piece of you was missing. Those trees are the inspiration for the new film “A Branch of Us.”</p> I set out on a mission to find four unique trees and the stories behind them, and the journey took me out of this world. This second film produced by Denver Botanic Films® features the story of the largest living organism on earth alongside a 400-year-old bonsai tree, the tale of an American legend and one of humankind’s greatest endeavors.</p> Other films may dig into the science behind protecting trees, examine the fact that they provide the air we breathe or present how they are some of the best means of carbon sequestration on the planet. This film, however, explores the human aspect, the emotional connection to trees, that sense of wonder they provide.</p> “A Branch of Us” will begin showing at Denver Botanic Gardens in the Sturm Family Auditorium on February 8. Entry is included with the price of admission to the Gardens and additional reservations do not need to be made. Learn more and view screening times</a>. </p> This article was contributed by Billy Kanaly</strong>, film director and producer, Denver Botanic Films. </em></p> </p>
Before having the chance to work with tropical plants, I never really thought of them as being seasonal, but like plants we grow outside at the Gardens, the tropical collection goes through its own set of seasonal peculiarities. Winter can be a perfect time to dive into the details of the many trails and gardens of the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory.</p> For almost eight years now, I’ve shared the responsibilities of caring for the plants in this garden. The first two hours of the workday in the Tropical Conservatory are spent pruning, watering and doing other general gardening. One morning while performing these tasks, I found myself thinking about what plants might get missed or overlooked by the average guest during a brief visit to the Tropical Conservatory. I spent a little time walking and coming up with a list of plants that were most likely lost in the beauty of the more than 600 different plants growing in this building.</p> The first plant you might have missed is Gongora fulva </strong></em>(061789)*</strong>. This epiphytic (plant that grows on another plant and derives moisture and nutrients from the air and rain) orchid with startlingly beautiful pendulous blooms is mounted on the cork bark epiphyte log on the south path</strong>. It blooms sporadically between January and March and is worth keeping an eye out for.</li> There’s another plant that can be easily overlooked, especially since it’s barely over 3 feet tall and has been in its location for 25 years now. It’s the incredibly slow-growing ruffled fan palm, </strong>Licuala grandis</strong></em> (972389)</strong>. It won’t make the cut for next year’s Christmas card but is worth stopping to check out next time you visit.</li> Lastly, I’d like to point out the vanilla orchid, </strong>Vanilla planifolia </strong></em>(671133)</strong>, which grows so well in this garden. Vanilla planifolia is the natural source for vanilla commonly used all over the world. Because this orchid is an epiphytic vine, it’s quite atypical to the look of an orchid. The thick green vine blooms high up when the plant has the chance to grow along other structures, and so the flowers are often missed altogether. Plants of vanilla grown here need to be hand-pollinated to make the precious vanilla bean pods. The best place to see this plant growing at the Gardens is on the south path closer to the top (west end) </strong>growing up the Tabebuia heterophylla</em> (982057), or pink trumpet tree.</li> </ul> With the use of our amazing Gardens Navigator</strong></a> the plants discussed here and in our other gardens can be looked at in more detail with additional pictures and map locations. I invite you to clear some time in your upcoming schedule and explore our gardens in more detail than before. And be sure to see the wonderful Orchid Showcase</strong></a> before it ends on February 19.</p> </p> * The number following the plant name is the plant’s accession number, which allows us to track when a plant entered the collection, along with data specific to its inclusion into our collections. The first two digits represent the last two digits of the year of accessioning, thus 671133 is a plant accessioned in 1967, just one year after the opening of the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory. </p> Gallery photos by Scott Preusser</em></p>
What does my perfect Sunday look like? Waking up a little late, grabbing a coffee and exploring art as local musicians play in the background sounds like a dream to me. As it turns out, dreams do come true: that's what our Sunday Strings program is all about. I invite you to join us on the first Sunday of the month, February – April from 1-2:30 p.m.</strong> as local musicians enliven the Freyer – Newman Center with tunes to complement our art exhibitions. Take a stroll through our galleries or listen to relaxing melodies. You might just discover your new favorite artist. Sunday Strings is included with general admission. Lineup:</p> February 4: Hao Yang, classical guitarist</li> March 3: Elbert Quartet, string quartet</li> April 7: Yudai Leonzon and Haotong Liu, guitar & violin duo</li> </ul>
“We admire it for its grotesqueness, its curious arrangement of parts, because it is unlike anything else—in short, because it is an Orchid.” -Lena Leslie, Vick's Illustrated Monthly Magazine, 1888</p> When you think of orchids, what comes to mind? I think of the sad purple plants waiting for forever homes at the grocery store. While many of us take orchids for granted as fussy houseplants, this freaky, fabulous family of flowers wasn’t always as commonplace as it is today. In fact, orchid hunters used to go to great lengths to find rare, delicate, never-before-seen specimens. You can learn all about this fascinating history and more at the Orchid Showcase, on view through February 19.Still can't get enough orchids? Join us for Orchid Day on Sunday, February 11!</strong> We'll celebrate all things orchids with hands-on activities for the whole family throughout the Gardens. </p> Enjoy live music from local musicians in the Freyer — Newman Center and browse watercolor paintings of orchids in The Tropical Paintings of Manabu Saito</em></a> exhibition. </li> Visit the Science Pyramid to experience a Science Chat (in English or Spanish!) all about orchids. Shop a pop-up orchid-themed used book sale presented by the Helen Fowler Library</a>, or drop in to the Kathryn Kalmbach Herbarium of Vascular Plants</a> to learn more about Colorado-native orchids. </li> Feeling inspired? Join a Japanese sumi-e painting art activity with the School of Botanical Art & Illustration</a> or make your own orchid origami.</li> </ul> Orchids have enchanted humans for centuries. Join us for Orchid Day and meet your new favorite plant!</p> All activities are included with general admission to the Gardens. Learn more and get your tickets</a>. </p>
The transition from one year to the next is often filled with celebrations and time for reflection. At the Gardens, we are all filled with gratitude and a keen determination to do everything we can to support the community, especially in light of the widespread stress and challenges that will likely continue in 2024.</p> We start by providing spaces that delight and enlighten. Walk in a celebration of nature, co-created with skilled horticulturists, and soon you will find yourself calmer, even revived. When wesurvey visitors the most common reason they give for coming to our locations is to find peace and connection. Each of our sites offers wonder and discovery at every turn.</p> Providing access is a high priority for us. Many people face barriers to engaging with the Gardens, and we work diligently to remove any obstacle. We begin by forging partnerships withdiverse community organizations —186 of them and counting. Only through listening can we create programs that address needs. We are fortunate to have support from countless donors,enabling us to provide everything from free admission to transportation and outreach.</p> </p>
Gather ‘round, green-thumb enthusiasts. It’s time to get the dirt on carbon sequestration and unearth how our gardens can be unsung heroes in battling climate change.</p> What is carbon sequestration? As one might remember from biology class, when plants photosynthesize, they absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This is carbon sequestration, one of nature’s ways of cycling nutrients. </p> Human-induced climate change was and is caused by excessive emissions, including CO2. Sequestering carbon mitigates the harmful effects of climate change, and even the humblest garden does it. For gardeners looking to steward the environment and future generations, consider employing techniques that enhance carbon absorption and storage. Gardeners can boost their garden’s carbon sequestering potential by implementing these practices:</p> Cultivate healthy soil.</strong> Healthy soil acts as a major carbon sink. Recovering and protecting soil has the potential to sequester 5.5 billion tons of CO2. Gardeners can protect and replenish soil by leaving perennials up during the winter, mulching, composting and minimizing tillage. These garden practices add organic matter to the soil, creating habitat for carbon-storing microbes.</p> Limit chemicals.</strong> Many fertilizers and pesticides depend on fossil fuels, be it during production, in the ingredient list, or both. These chemicals also end up polluting waterways, which causes a slew of environmental problems. For example, buildup of pollutants causes anaerobic conditions, i.e., "dead zones." With oxygen choked out of the ecosystem, so follows many other organisms. This limits opportunities for carbon-to-oxy exchange and emits even more carbon dioxide. Bonus: scale up. </strong>Climate change data and news often feel hopeless. One of my go-to strategies has been to examine what I have control over and where I can act. This truth also needs to be balanced with the reality that carbon sequestration must happen on larger scales as well. Consider how you can push for collective action through local government, neighborhood groups, nonprofits or other avenues. By actively engaging in practices that sequester carbon, gardeners can contribute positively to the environment while also nurturing their gardens. </p> Let us dirty our hands and watch our gardens champion over climate change. Every little green thing you grow gives back. So, I encourage you to keep planting, nurturing and growing a greener future.</p> This article was contributed by Horticulturist Abigail McLennan.</strong></em> </p>
