Scattered about the Gardens are winter displays that celebrate our passion for plants. Many are in homage to summer beds; others showcase the changing textures and colors of fall. All speak to our love of plants in all their stages – and test the limits of displaying dried plants outdoors.</p> In keeping with our mission to be sustainable, the displays are 99 percent compostable. We only use air-dried and fresh plant material, or cuttings soaked in vegetable glycerin. The wire used in wreaths is reused, as are the armatures and foraged pinecones.</p> We begin the tour before we cross York Street from the parking garage</strong>. By the crosswalk, garlands of Limonium binervosum</em> (rock sea lavender), Seseli gummiferum</em> (moon carrot) and Dipsacus laciniatus </em>(dyed with Aronia</em> berries) ring the insides of pots and seed heads of Allium schubertii </em>(ornamental onion) rise on bamboo poles.</li> Crossing the street to the left, a giant nest hovers above a container on bamboo stilts. The nest is woven from Salix matsudana</em> ‘Snake’ and trimmed with dried flowers. Inside, a family of bottle gourd birds nestles in a bed of Miscanthus sinensis</em> and Eupatorium capillifolium </em>‘Elegant Feather’.</li> Straight ahead at the Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center</strong> entrance, towers of maple branches are adorned with giant blooms built to resist the wettest snow. The petals are the fibrous pods of Asclepias speciosa</em> (showy milkweed) and the centers, Echinacea </em>(coneflower) seed heads. Encircling the towers are clouds of dried Limonium latifolium</em> (sea lavender).</li> Entering the Gardens, turn left into the Welcome Garden</strong> and upstairs to a bear made of alder twigs. The twigs are woven around a topiary and the eyes painted on slices of branch. In the left paw is a bamboo wand topped with an allium seed head.</li> Ahead at the gate to the Secret Passage </strong>hangs a wreath wired with dried flowers and pods – Tanacetum vulgare</em>, Dahlia</em> ‘Summit Festival’ and Nigella</em> ‘Albion Black Pod’ (love-in-a-mist) hint at the intensifying colors of the dogwoods and willows inside. </li> Take the winding path past willow cages and birch nests and enter the Romantic Gardens</strong> where grand bouquets of Sorghum bicolor </em>(broom corn), Hydrangea</em> and more fill out pots. Each year the Garden Club of Denver descends like a flock of birds and decorates a dozen containers.</li> Next head to Woodland Mosaic</strong> where dried plants are mixed with fresh. Taupe wands of Miscanthus</em> rise from pots and create the backdrop for fresh clusters of red roses, as dried flowers of Hydrangea</em> and Sedum</em> cascade below freshly cut Berberis aquifolium</em> (Oregon grape).</li> Then on to South African Plaza</strong> to see evergreens mixed with generous bunches of Salix geyeriana </em>(Geyer’s willow) and Salix monticola </em>(mountain willow), their tawny bark seeming to glow even on grey days. Foraged cones fill a pot between them and pansies bloom in the reflective warmth of a concrete wall.</li> Head north to the Victorian Secret Garden</strong>, where a spiraling Juniperus chinensis</em> ‘Spartan’ rises at the entry. Inside the gazebo, a fountain of Sorghum bicolor rises above a pot and palm fronds and Symphoricarpos </em>(snowberry) berries encircle a container of branches pierced with clear globes.</li> Then it’s on to the entrance of Marnie’s Pavilion</strong>, where a container display glows tan and rose. Stalks of Eremurus</em> (foxtail lily), Miscanthus</em> and more rise above shifting shades of Celosia argentea</em> var. cristata</em> ‘Tornado Red’. Creamy balls of Hydrangea arborescens</em> ‘Annabelle’ add pop and tresses of Amaranthus caudatus</em> tumble over the pot’s edge.</li> The last stop is past the Crossroads Garden </strong>along the benches. There, advent wreaths made of Cornus sericea</em> ‘Baileyi’ float on bamboo poles. Each wreath is adorned with willow “candle sticks” and Lunaria annua </em>(money plant) “flames.” Tucked into the wreaths are dried Nymphaea </em>(water lily) blooms, Nelumbo nucifera</em> (lotus) seed heads, and Bupleurum </em>flowers.</li> </ul>
We can grow together.</p> Denver Botanic Gardens is excited to announce Colorado Gives Day coming up on Tuesday, December 7.</p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> For 24 hours, Colorado comes together to raise funds for local nonprofits and we’re excited to be part of the day! On Colorado Gives Day, we’ll be celebrating. We’re celebrating you, because without our supporters, the Gardens would not have had the success we’ve had over the past year. </p> More than a collection of diverse flora from around the globe, the Gardens has over 80 community partners that offer support to the underserved. From providing fresh produce for those in food deserts</a>, to free passes to the Gardens for school groups, from hands-on training for veterans through our Chatfield Farms Veterans Program</a>, to consulting with municipalities to rethink public landscapes as a way to reduce water use</a>, the Gardens hasn’t been shy about extending our reach beyond our gates.</p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> Our work spreads far beyond our local community. We are building connections all over the world</a> to assist other countries with plant conservation and botanic gardens development. The Gardens has continued to provide a sense of sanctuary as we navigate an ever-changing landscape. And we have kept up our connections with our community partners.</p> We invite you to join us by helping us share the news about Colorado Gives Day and invite your family, friends and your personal network to participate. Every gift is tax-deductible and helps us complete our mission. Our efforts to connect people with plants is more vital now than ever before. This day of giving is one of the many ways you can make a real difference.</p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> Together, we can make the world a better place for our neighbors and our global community.</p> Donate Now</a> </p>
When you set foot in Blossoms of Light™, you immediately realize you’re in the presence of something extraordinary. More than a million lights glow and flicker in every imaginable way amidst diverse flora and naturalistic landscapes on nearly 23 acres. Not only has this dazzling display become a favorite tradition for Front Range families, but it has also garnered attention as one of the best holiday light displays in the nation.</p> Xcel Energy is a fitting sponsor of Blossoms of Light</a> because it’s a beautiful and traditional community event, as well as a showcase for LED lighting. 100% of the string lights, spotlights and unique features installed by the Gardens and their affiliates are LED lights – which are up to 90% more efficient</a> than traditional incandescent lights. </p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> This emphasis on greater energy efficiency aligns with the Gardens’ and Xcel Energy’s ongoing partnership and shared core value of sustainability. And it’s easy to bring that home. If you haven’t already done so, now is a great time to swap out those old bulbs for LEDs around your home. Energy Star LED lightbulbs save about $55 in electricity costs over their lifetime and last at least 12 years; you can save money while having a positive impact on the environment.</p> Energy Star LED</a> standard light bulbs come in several color options. These ranges are measured on the Kelvin scale, hence the K numbers below. </p> Soft, warm white - 2200K to 3000K - The standard color of most incandescent bulbs, this range provides a warm mood for dining areas and other gathering spaces.</li> Neutral cool white - 3500K to 4100K - This range is suitable for kitchens and workspaces.</li> Daylight - 5000K to 6500K - This type of light has a high-contrast quality – think of a blue sky at noon. Good for reading. </li> Home holiday LED lights offer a mix of display colors, offer up to 90% greater efficiency and run cooler – and therefore safer – than traditional incandescent lights. </li> </ul> You can find discounts</a> of up to $3 per LED bulb at participating Denver-area stores.</p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> Visit Blossoms of Light for inspiration! Get tickets</a> and more information. Advance online ticket purchase is required; capacity is limited, and some dates sell out weeks in advance.</p> Looking for a 100% LED holiday lights experience in Littleton, CO? Visit Trail of Lights at Chatfield Farms</a>.</p> Masks are required indoors for all visitors ages 3 and older.</p>
Launched in the mid-1980s as a way to increase visitation to the Gardens during the winter, Blossoms of Light™</a> has evolved into a blockbuster, sellout event celebrated as one of the top holiday light displays in the world</a>. The display has advanced considerably since its beginning: We have converted the lights from incandescent to LED, the majority of the lights are now installed by a professional tree care company instead of Gardens staff, and innovative special features are added frequently. Our special events team works hard to push the envelope each year, designing new color palettes and developing new elements, to ensure the display surprises and delights even the most seasoned Blossoms of Light visitor. </p> We had a great time digging through the archives to see how far we’ve come. While photos from the earliest years are scarce, the last 20 have been well documented. Enjoy this trip down memory lane with us as we compare Blossoms of Light today with displays of old! </p> O’Fallon Perennial Walk, 2005 and 2021</h4> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </p> Monet Pool, 2002 and 2021</h4> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </p> Crossroads, facing west, 2007 and 2021</h4> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </p> Shady Lane, 2005 and 2021</h4> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </p> Japanese Garden, 1985 and 2019</h4> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </p> UMB Bank Amphitheater, 2005 and 2021</h4> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </p> El Pomar Waterway, 2005 and 2020</h4> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </p> Romantic Gardens, 2002 and 2020</h4> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </p> Cottonwood Border, 2006 and 2021</h4> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </p> Gates Montane, 2016 and 2021</h4> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </h4> Welcome Sign, 2007 and 2020</h4> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </p> Blossoms of Light runs nightly through January 8, 2022 (closed November 25 and December 25) and is expected to sell out. Get your tickets early; advance purchase is required. Masks are required indoors for all visitors ages 3 and older.</p>
