Documenting biodiversity is crucial for conservation and is a major aim of our research programs at the Gardens. To work toward this goal, we have been pairing up with the public through community science projects—which invite anyone, regardless of educational background, to be part of the scientific process by recording and sharing their observations of nature. </p> As an example of this, last summer we relaunched Insects Illuminated—a nighttime public event at Chatfield Farms designed to document nocturnal insect biodiversity. Using ultraviolet lights projected onto white bed sheets, we attracted moths, beetles, flies and other insects, documented them with iNaturalist</a> and collected 35 specimens to be deposited in our natural history collections</a>. Experts, staff and volunteers were able to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with those new to the joy of insect diversity. Highlights of the night include the grand elm sphinx moth and brilliant yellow geometer moth.</p> This year we doubled down, hosting the event twice, once at Chatfield Farms and once at York Street. And this year we were very excited to partner with our community engagement team to welcome Young People In Recovery</a> and Westwood Family Nature Club</a> to participate as community scientists at the events.</p> By combining the wonder of discovery with meaningful scientific contribution, events like Insects Illuminated demonstrate how community science can simultaneously advance conservation goals and foster deeper connections between people and the natural world around them. As we continue expanding these collaborations, we're not just documenting species; we're cultivating a growing community of citizen scientists who will carry this curiosity and conservation ethic far beyond our garden gates.</p> This article was contributed by Scientific Data Manager Rick Levy</strong> and Floristic and Outreach Coordinator Alissa Iverson</strong>. </span></em> </p>
Historically, Denver Botanic Gardens has hosted tours of private gardens in spring and early summer. That’s when most gardens boast the largest number of perennials in bloom, and late-flowering trees and shrubs can make a mighty impact.</p> But once the summer heat lets up, many gardens experience a “second spring” in late summer—when early autumn flowers combine with summer’s bounty to create striking sweeps of color at garden-savvy homes.This year, the Gardens has teamed up with the Garden Conservancy</a>, which hosts garden tours across the country, to showcase three outstanding—and very different—gardens close to home. The tour takes place Saturday, Sept. 13. Sign up so you don’t miss them</a>! What better way to spend a late-season weekend?</p> Bosler House</h2> This historical home has been brought to fresh life by owners Jan and Steve Davis, who have lovingly restored the striking Victorian-era house and surrounded it with lush gardens. Visitors will find lavish borders and a stunning potager.</p> Gatehouse Garden</h2> Tim Morgan and Laura Menzer have created a “secret garden”—and a pretty substantial one—in a quiet southeast Denver neighborhood. Morgan, a passionate lifelong gardener, propagates many of his plants in a greenhouse on the property.</p> A newly completed back patio frames a stunning view of the large island bed, which features multiple borders, rock gardens and arbors overflowing with treasures. The entire perimeter of the backyard is filled with plants, including a bog garden, more rock gardens and choice trees. This is truly a garden for all seasons.</p> Kelly Grummons’ Garden</h2> Kelly Grummons is one of the most highly regarded horticulturists in the Rocky Mountain region. His home garden is a showcase of a rich lifetime of gardening—including, of course, his beloved succulents (he is, after all, Mr. Cold Hardy Cactus).</p> Many stock plants can be found in and around several greenhouses on the property, but the real stars this time of year are the island beds south of his home, filled with late-summer annuals, flaming red Zauschneria and remarkable containers featuring succulents. Visitors will also discover gems like rhododendrons in the shady garden. The more you explore, the more you’ll marvel. </p> Denver Botanic Gardens and the Garden Conservancy have partnered for three years to showcase the finest gardens of the Front Range. This is the final weekend of this year’s program—but expect a dozen or more gardens on tour in 2026.</p> </p>
As a gardener in the urban Front Range, each season brings new challenges, or the same challenges just in a different order. Rabbits, salt, cold and hot temperatures, drought, foot traffic – sometimes the list seems endless! However, an almost foolproof way to ensure the success in the home garden is to look to our native plants for inspiration. </p> I spoke with some of my colleagues here at the Gardens and we came up with three of our favorites to tackle tough conditions while delivering on flower power. These plants are all native to Colorado and provide significant ecological benefits to our pollinators. They are all adaptable to our urban soils and should only require supplemental water during the first year of establishment. </p> Chocolate Flower (Berlandiera lyrata</em>).</strong> This extra cold-hardy member of the daisy family is a garden powerhouse. The bright yellow flowers float atop gray-green mounding foliage and last from early spring to frost. The golden pinwheels surround dark red centers that are full of nectar – attracting both butterflies and occasional hummingbirds. As a bonus, the foliage is said to have the aroma of chocolate! When things wind down in the fall, leave the last crop of flower stalks to enjoy the intricate cup-shaped seed heads, which are both beautiful and a functional food source for birds. </li> Ten-petal blazingstar (Mentzelia decapetala</em>).</strong> A native, night-blooming, fragrant, drought-tolerant, pollinator magnet? Say no more! Ten-petal blazingstar is a staff favorite around here – and for good reason. Although it is a biennial or short-lived perennial, once this plant is established in the garden it will persist from seed for years to come. Sow seed directly into the garden and keep moist. It also germinates readily in pots – but transplant it into the garden early as it does develop a taproot. Mentzelia will quickly become a favorite as the striking white flowers open each night, smelling sweetly of honey, only to close again before morning. </li> KANNAH CREEK® Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum var. aureum</em>).</strong> We love this little groundcover. Best suited for well-drained sites with little to no irrigation, sulphur flower buckwheat is incredibly durable, long-lived and great for weed suppression. In early spring, the lush mat of green foliage is topped with chartreuse pom poms that mature to deep orange. Flower stalks can be sheared after flower for a tidier appearance or left through winter and sheared in March. In fall, the foliage ages to a deep burgundy and persists through the winter season. </li> </ul> Not sure how to add these to the landscape? Try pairing them with some of our native grasses like blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis</em>) and little bluestem (Schizachryum scoparium</em>). Using groundcovers and grasses reduces the need for maintenance like weeding and mulching each season.</p> This article was contributed by Horticulturist Laura Swain</strong> and first appeared in the June issue of Life on Capitol Hill.</em> </p>
Farmers do everything; they are mechanics, botanists, naturalists, athletes and some even believe themselves to be meteorologists. In the age of the regenerative agriculture movement, farmers need to become biologists, or more specifically soil ecologists. </p> Soil ecology is the study of the seemingly limitless universe beneath our feet. In just a teaspoon of healthy soil, there are over 1 billion bacterial individuals and more than six miles of fungal mycelium. It would take seven years to recite the names of all the bacterial species in a compost pile. </p> A broad understanding of the soil ecosystem can change a farmer’s mindset. The most productive soil in the world from an old-growth forest actually contains far less plant-available nutrients than are recommended for agricultural soil. So how can “nutrient-deficient” soil – teeming with soil microbes – produce the largest plants on the planet? </p> Nutrients are released when microscopic predators consume bacteria. Nematodes, protozoa and microscopic insects “poop” out nutrients. Plant roots absorb those nutrients through a web of fungi. Fungal networks expand the reach of roots and create highways inside root hairs. As satisfied plants then release exudates (carbon-rich plant chemicals), which attract more bacteria and fungi, the cycle continues. Without these characters to play their parts, soil turns into lifeless dirt. Conventional soil management has disrupted the soil ecosystem. Without microscopic predators, bacteria or fungi to assist plant roots, farmers are forced to overfeed plants with fertilizers. The excess nutrients that aren’t washed away are consumed by a monoculture of bacteria, reproducing rapidly and unchecked by predators. Without predators to consume bacteria, the soil ecosystem becomes unbalanced. The resulting population of disease-causing bacteria release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. </p> Realistically, not all farmers have the time to study microscopy. Through the eyes of a microscope, a farmer can witness the soil ecosystem in action, but studying soil ecology doesn’t require a microscope. Diversity in critters — worms, ladybugs, roly-polies, etc. — is an indication of a balanced biology. </p> Understanding what healthy soil looks, feels and smells like can inform better practices. Undisturbed soil will evolve with its plant inhabitants. Rich brown, textured soil that smells like a forest will feed a vegetable plant on its own, without nutrient additives. A calculated “less is more” soil management approach gives our soil a chance to breathe. </p> Regenerative agriculture redefines the farmers’ relationship with nature. Humans’ senses have evolved with plants; for example, the smell of healthy soil triggers serotonin production in the human brain. Alternatively, our negative reaction to the putrid smell of greenhouse gases produced by harmful bacteria warns us of toxicity. These fine-tuned deep intuitions can become a regenerative farmer's almanac. </p> By working in tandem with natural soil ecosystems, farmers can reduce the labor and expenses of disruptive soil tillage and chemical fertilizer application. Soil naturally wants to grow plants. By accepting help from nature, farmers can grow healthier plants more efficiently. This article first appeared in the May issue of Life on Capitol Hill. All photos: Rutger Myers</em></p>
For the last two summers, Denver Botanic Gardens has been conducting a floristic inventory of Denver Mountain Park’s newest property, Axton Ranch Mountain Park. Just what is a floristic inventory? Well, it is simply a list of all the plant species in a given place at a specific point in time. Although simple in design, these inventories provide a baseline of biodiversity, and are important resources for land managers to inform best conservation practices.</p> We discovered that Axton Ranch was home to a diverse array of plant communities – lodgepole pine/spruce forests, aspen groves surrounding wet meadows, rocky outcroppings, lakes and small streams within forests. Ultimately, through surveying all these different plant communities, our inventory of Axton Ranch resulted in the identification of 319 unique plant species. In other words, approximately one in every 10 plant species present in Colorado was found within this 450-acre property! We even found two plants listed as rare and tracked by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program</a> – Asplenium septentrionale</em> and Senecio rapifolius</em>. All specimens collected for this floristic inventory are now part of the Kathryn Kalmbach Herbarium of Vascular Plants</a>, and all plant observations are available on iNaturalist</a>.</p> Overall, we found that Axton Ranch consisted mostly of intact ecosystems that have not been (or minimally so) degraded or altered by human stressors. Nearly 90% the plant species found were native to Colorado, with only seven noxious weeds located on the property. One of the most unique plant communities at Axton Ranch were the two wet meadows which supported approximately 10% of the plant species overall, including numerous sedges, buttercups, willows and even marsh arrowgrass (Triglochin palustris</em>). We also noted a remarkable number of orchid species at Axton Ranch – eight different species in all, and one of which (Corallorhiza wisteriana</em>) that is uncommon in Colorado.</p> Although we were there for the plants, we also documented several animals at Axton Ranch as well. Moose made common appearances in the meadows. Hummingbirds flew through the meadows, stopping at the red paintbrushes for food. And one of our favorite discoveries was that of a lake dominated by western tiger salamanders in their larval form. </p> Axton Ranch Mountain Park is an incredible property with a diverse array of plant species and communities, intact ecosystems and evidence of good land stewardship by the Axton family. The benefits of this inventory extend far beyond just an inventory of the property. Through this project, we were also able to provide immersive research opportunities for six high school students. None of this would have been possible without the generous support from the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation, Denver Mountain Parks for their assistance, the Axton family and everyone who helped collect and process plant specimens. We look forward to our next floristic inventory project, who knows what treasures we will find! </p>
The historical Hildebrand Ranch</a> area at Chatfield Farms</a> includes an orchard and various heirloom gardens. Most of these areas are dedicated celebration spaces to honor loved ones and are an excellent reminder of the stages of life. The Mary Washburne Orchard</a> was established in 2011. Washburne was a longtime supporter of Chatfield Farms. Within the orchard is a vast array of fruit trees and trellises planted with Vitis</em> x ‘St. Theresa Seedless' grapes. These areas of fruit production are adjacent to an acre of vegetable production fields. </p> The Celebration Garden on the east side of the ranch is dedicated in memory of Matt Jones with plantings of colorful perennials and annuals.</p> The front of the Hildebrand house is a mixture of ornamental vegetables and flowers dedicated in the memory of Liz Ann Dierksmeier. Her family helps to plant and maintain this seasonal garden each year. This allows them to foster beauty in remembrance of their loved one.</p> The woodshed garden behind the Hildebrand Ranch house is very personal to the staff at Chatfield Farms. It is dedicated to Colton Sell, whom many had the pleasure of working with at the farm. His family has maintained this garden for six years along our Chatfield Farms staff in tribute to him. This garden is set beside shaded Deer Creek with seating for reflection and healing for all visitors. </p> Each year immense planning goes into the designs of these Celebration Gardens at Hildebrand Ranch at Chatfield Farms. This year some of the fruit trees were replaced due to disease. The Chatfield Farms horticulture staff works tirelessly to provide quiet, beautiful spaces to remember our loved ones. </p>
Plant Select is a unique program that brings plants to the consumer market that are good for the Colorado Front Range steppe environment. Plants from the Plant Select® program are integrated into many of the gardens and can be found throughout Denver Botanic Gardens.</p> As you enter the Gardens and make your way to the Crossroads Garden</strong> you will see some classics from Plant Select. In the beds leading to the main building you can see Delosperma </em>spp., commonly known as ice plants. Ice plants are a hardy groundcover from southern Africa and grow well in Colorado. Over the years Plant Select has introduced and recommended more than a dozen selections and species of Delosperma</em>. Also in the Crossroads is Epilobium canum</em> ssp. garrettii </em>‘PWWG01S’, commonly known as ORANGE CARPET® California fuchsia. This plant stands a little taller than the ice plants but is still considered a ground cover. These plants are very sought after by hummingbirds. You can often find these energetic birds fighting over these plants and all the nectar they produce. </li> Continue to the west down the main path and in the planters on the top of the ramp on each side you will see lovely specimens of Picea glauca </em>‘Pendula’. At the base is Oenothera macrocarpa </em>ssp. incana </em>SILVER BLADE®. This low water combination shows off the beauty of silver foliage and the Oenothera</em> is a very prolific blooming plant. Flowers are a soft yellow and open in the late afternoon to evening. This feature is where it gets the common name silver evening primrose. Silver foliage on plants is often a protective feature some plants develop to survive in very high light conditions as well as a way to preserve water in the plant. </li> Now continue on west through Roads Water-Smart Garden and keep going into Shady Lane</strong>. Planted along the Shady Lane in the southern beds are examples of Daphne </em>× burkwoodii</em> ‘Carol Mackie’. This variegated shrub looks great all year long and in protected locations like Shady Lane the plant will be evergreen. About this time of year, the plant will be covered with intensely fragrant white flowers. Plants that thrive in dry shade can be a challenge to find but this is one of the very best of them. </li> Once you have taken in the fragrant blooms of Daphne</em>, continue west to arrive at the Darlene Radichel Plant Select Garden</strong>. This garden is designed as a showcase for the Plant Select program. Here you will find almost every plant that Plant Select has introduced and recommended. There are plants from the very first year of introduction to plants that won’t be available to the public until the following growing season. This garden showcases the different ways you can use and display plants from this program.</li> </ul> Plant Select has brought to the market more than 175 unique plants and many of them are Colorado and regionally native plants. With long seasons of interest and the ability to thrive in Colorado’s steppe climate, these are the plants that can help you transform your landscape into a beautiful, diverse, pollinator-friendly oasis.</p> Please visit plantselect.org</a> for more information on this program and where you can find the plants to purchase.</p>
Mushrooms can be poisonous. That is one of the first things we are taught as kids. Even though plants produce more detrimental toxins than mushrooms, society, rightly or wrongly, tends to teach the latter as being more dangerous. While attitudes toward mushrooms have been changing, the history around mushroom poisoning shows growth in understanding all the ways eating them can make people sick. </p> At Denver Botanic Gardens, Dr. Sam Mitchel</a> was perhaps the most central figure to expand mycology and knowledge of mushrooms of the Southern Rockies. He is not as well known for his role as a medical doctor and as a trained diagnostician. However, this dual perspective gave Dr. Mitchel the ability to merge his passion for mushrooms and medicine to produce an understanding of how they might poison people. </p> Along with other Denver-based doctors Drs. Barry Rumack and Manny Salzman, Dr. Mitchel coordinated efforts to understand and educate medical professionals about mushroom poisons in the 1970s. These efforts primarily took place in Colorado around the mid-70s when the Aspen Mushroom Conference became one of the first to train doctors from across the country. This conference gave doctors skills to ID mushrooms and diagnose mushroom poisonings, and included training on the variety of toxins that mushrooms can produce, how they affect the people who consumed them, and how doctors can treat their patients. </p> In general, there are seven poisoning “groups” that mushroom toxins can fall into: Cyclopeptide poisoning, Monomethyldrazine poisoning, Coprine poisoning, Muscarine poisoning, Ibotenic acid – Muscimol poisoning, Psiocybin-Psilocin poisoning and Gastrointestinal irritants. In 1977, Dr. Mitchel teamed up with the late celebrated mycologist Gary Lincoff to write “Toxic and Hallucinogenic Mushroom Poisoning: A Handbook for Physicians and Mushroom Hunters,” which details each of these poisonings and how to treat them.</p> Today these efforts to understand mushroom toxicology continue in Colorado. Dr. Rumack, with the assistance of Gardens volunteers Ed and Ikuko Lubow, continues to train doctors on identifying mushrooms and the poisons they produce. Nationally, the North American Mycological Association (NAMA) has an active Toxicology Committee that continues to offer aid and assistance in identifying toxic mushrooms and advising doctors and poison centers on how to diagnose poisonings.</p> Internationally, Dr. Mitchel’s work has reached across the Pacific to Borneo where medical professionals in Malaysia came together for a Mushroom Toxicology workshop in 2019. There the doctors learned about the mushroom poisonings above, as documented through the work done here in Colorado. </p>
Everyone’s life is marked with memories that stay with us forever. Some of my most cherished plant memories come from discovering the stunning world of cacti and succulent plants that are housed in the Cactus and Succulent House located in the Rock Alpine Garden. </p> I had the privilege of taking over this collection and replanting the display house during the summer of 2021. Now, after three years of care, the plants have really filled in and grown fantastically. I invite you to see what’s growing and blooming inside the Cactus and Succulent House during the height and blight of winter. One reason these plants are so popular and sought after is because the leaf forms are often so pretty that the flowers simply become a bonus or means to produce seed. In their natural habitat most of the succulents from the Southern Hemisphere do their growing and blooming during the winter months. Some of my favorites this year are: </p> Ceropegia cimiciodora </em>– A creeping, leafless stem succulent with super-cool flowers that blooms almost all year-round. You would be hard pressed to find a cooler flower.</li> Stapelia schinzii </em>var. angolensis </em>– Fuzzy maroon flowers that smell like rotting flesh! What could be better?</li> Haworthia emelyae</em> var. comptoniana</em> – A solitary species with a very small natural range in the Cape Province of South Africa. It is prized and known for its beautiful white markings on the leaf surfaces, slow growth and difficult propagation.</li> Haworthia arachnoidea</em> var. setata </em>– In its native South Africa, it is known as papierrosie</em> (paper-rose) or spinnekopnes</em> (spider’s nest). Sign me up!</li> Haworthia </em>hybrid – </em>A special blend of species created by me, formulated for your enjoyment!</li> Albuca spiralis –</em> A bulbous curly leaf plant. Give your curly leaf bulbs as much light as you can during the growing season.</li> Albuca hallii</em> – Another curly-leaf plant, the spring leaf plant has a pair of cork-screwed shaped leaves.</li> Trichodiadema </em>sp. – A beautiful plant that gets covered in purple blooms, reminiscent of summer-blooming iceplant (Delosperma</em>), during the winter months. </li> </ol> I have been collecting these plants for 21 years and I am still finding the next amazing thing I have to have. If you need some plant inspiration while your own garden is sleeping this winter, come visit our collection of unique cacti and succulents in their full glory. </p> Gallery photos by Scott Preusser </em></p>
