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>
Pollinators come in all shapes and sizes: bats, moths, bees, hummingbirds and even some rodents move pollen from one flower to another, sparking the cycle of life. Thanks to these incredible creatures, we live in a world full of beautiful blooming flowers and fresh fruits and vegetables. While some pollinator populations are in decline, there are plenty of ways humans can help these critters live their best lives.</p> Learn more about pollinators and what you can do to keep them happy and thriving by joining us for Pollinator Day</strong></a>, Friday, June 27, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. </strong></p> Stop by the Kathryn Kalmbach Herbaria of Vascular plants to discover the arthropod collection, featuring bugs found onsite and in the field by scientists.</span> </span></li> Join a guide and explore the gardens to learn more about pollinator relationships in action.</span> </span></li> Chat with community partners like the Audubon Society, Butterfly Pavilion and the Xerces Society about what you can do to protect pollinators.</span> </span></li> Make pollinator-inspired art with the School of Botanical Art & Illustration.</span> </span></li> And more!</span> </span></li> </ul> Life as we know it would not exist without pollinators. Whether you are a gardener, a bug enthusiast, or just a person who likes breathing clean air and eating fresh food, come celebrate these small but mighty creatures who help our planet bloom. </span> </span></p>
You may have noticed that the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory was closed to the public for several months during 2024. We know it was an inconvenience for visitors, but critical changes and improvements were made during the closure. Most of the changes are not visible to visitors – they involved a complete revamp of HVAC systems that are hidden behind the perimeter walls and repairs to the roof vents that had been completely inoperable for over a decade.</p> Many plants had to be removed to accommodate the demolition and subsequent construction, but cuttings or divisions were saved of almost every plant impacted. We also left a few large specimens in place and protected them from damage during the construction process. Since the HVAC systems were not working during the renovations, supplemental heat came from portable gas-powered unit heaters.</p> Now that the dust has settled, it is time to welcome visitors back in to enjoy the benefits of this lengthy process. While many of the newly planted specimens will take a bit of time to fill in, there are still plenty of old favorites to see.</p> Just inside the lobby doors and to the left is a large specimen of Brownea ariza</em> – a member of the Fabaceae or bean family. Native to tropical South America, this plant exhibits cauliflory – its flowers are born on woody stems or on the trunk. The bright red/orange flowers are short-lived so if you do not notice flowers, look for the glowing buds along the plant’s stems.</p> Speaking of cauliflory, a little further along this path is a nice specimen of Theobroma cacao</em>. Notice how the fruits are born along the tree’s trunk. Native to tropical Central and South America, this tree is the source of cocoa, cocoa butter and chocolate. It takes a bit of processing to make the fruit palatable. The Aztec name – Xocolatl – means “bitter water” but Linnaeus derived this tree’s scientific name from the words “theos” – meaning God, and “broma” – meaning food. Literally food of the gods.</p> Another cauliflorous tree can be found at the west end of the south path. The clown fig – Ficus aspera</em> – is a relative of Ficus benjamina</em>, the common houseplant known as weeping fig. You may notice fruits born along the contorted trunk of this tree which has been in our collections since 1965. Ficus aspera is native to the South Pacific region. </p> If you already miss your poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima</em>), you can see a specimen of a close relative in the northwest corner of the Tropical Conservatory. Euphorbia punicea</em> is native to Jamaica, Cuba and other Caribbean coastal areas. Like most members of the Euphorbiaceae family, the stems exude a milky sap that can be a skin irritant.</p> The Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory is a wonderful place to escape the cold thanks to the newly renovated heating and cooling systems. Enjoy your old favorite plants and come back often to watch the progress of the newer plantings! </p> </p> Gallery photos by Nick Snakenberg</em></p>
As cold settles in and plants go dormant, you may think there's not much going on at the Gardens in winter. It's an easy mistake to make! Inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens is hustling and bustling all year long. One of the best ways to learn about what we're up to is by joining a tour, led by knowledgeable volunteers and expert staff. What better way to warm up on a cold winter day than to take a tour of the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory? After many months of closure, the Tropical Conservatory is back in business and ready for visitors. On a Tropical Trails Tour</a>, learn about the more than 2,000 species in the Tropical Collection, representing plants from Central and South America, Australia and Africa. Take a break from Colorado's dry winter air and soak in the humidity of the Tropical Conservatory. Trust me, your skin will thank you later. Have you explored our art galleries? The Freyer – Newman Center is home to three galleries with exhibitions that celebrate the natural world. During an Art at the Gardens Tour</a>, learn about the artworks on display and the artists who made them. This year's exhibition lineup includes strange and delightful sculptures and paintings by Ash Eliza Williams, botanical artworks from the collection of seed company Botanical Interests LLC, lifelike drawings of fire and forests by local artist Anna Kaye and so much more. Exhibitions rotate regularly, offering fresh perspectives on the intersection of art and science. Curious to know more about what, exactly, all the plants are up to over the winter? Join a Seasonal Discoveries Tour</a> to explore the Gardens' ever-changing landscapes with a friendly guide. Discover the quiet beauty of frost covered gardens and learn how plants spend the winter months preparing for spring. Season to season and day to day, Denver Botanic Gardens is constantly changing, so there is always something new to see.Whether you've never been to the Gardens or you've been a member for decades, taking a tour is a great way to discover the plants, people, architecture and art that make Denver Botanic Gardens great, no matter what time of year. Register for a tour today! </p> Language Without Words</em> image credit: Language Without Words: Works by Ash Eliza Williams</em> (2024) at Denver Botanic Gardens. Photo by Scott Dressel-Martin</p>
It always starts out as such a good idea. A redesigned home is the fulfillment of dreams. That new raised bed vegetable garden is perfection. A few decades ago, the channelization of creeks and rivers seemed so smart to manage flood-prone areas. </p> Time marches along, and in no time at all we realize that something just isn’t quite right anymore. Old wisdom gives way to new ideas, different elements break down, and some decisions leave us wondering what on earth we were thinking.</p> Such is the way of the ongoing dance of best intentions and the irresistible force of nature. At the Gardens, we learn new lessons every year and are now increasingly focused on restoration – working with what still exists from days past to replenish a collection of life that truly belongs here. At Chatfield Farms, our teams have been restoring the riparian zone along Deer Creek and prairie areas on the south and central parts of the site. </p> After years of manipulation for either agricultural or aesthetic reasons, it is amazing to watch the transformation take place when invasive species are replaced with native and native-adapted plants. There are many small miracles. The new/old landscape is immediately beautiful, with life suddenly back in concert with the environment that nurtures it. With appropriate plants flourishing, there is little need for heavy maintenance and no irrigation required.</p> Metallically adorned native bees reappear, birds make a big comeback. Everything from butterflies to white-tailed deer frolic in spaces that are once again familiar to their origins.</p> The greatest miracle of all with such work is how quickly things shift. Within a year, the difference can be dramatic. My favorite realization about the process of restoration is that the symphony of air and water changes to something that grabs hold of your DNA and connects directly to those rare moments we have spent in truly wild spaces.</p> So, we march bravely into the future. As is mostly the case, our motivations are economic and societal. We must make better use of resources to protect quality of life and long-term sustainability. The good news is that we can do the work of restoration with the realization of abundance rather than scarcity. </p> It is happening right now. Visit any of our four sites to get a glimpse. Or learn about our Sustainable Landscape Services</a> to see how we are partnering with communities and organizations all around Colorado. </p> Better yet, become part of the movement in your own backyard.</p> The winter issue of Inside the Gardens</a> is out now. Read it today.</p> </p>
Looking for a holiday gift that goes beyond the ordinary? We have unique options that bring beauty, joy and inspiration long after the season ends.</p> Memberships: A Year of Wonder</strong>Give a gift that blooms all year! A membership</a> to Denver Botanic Gardens offers unlimited visits to explore the Gardens at York Street and Chatfield Farms. From the serenity of the Japanese Garden to the heady scents of lavender in full bloom, each visit offers something new. Members also receive discounts on classes, special events and purchases at the Shop at the Gardens and onsite restaurants.</p> Classes & Programs: Inspire Creativity</strong>For the lifelong learners and creative spirits in your life, consider gifting a class or program</a>. From floral arranging and botanical illustration to cooking workshops and yoga sessions, there’s something for every interest. These hands-on experiences are a thoughtful way to nurture hobbies or spark new passions.</p> Wintertime Visits: A Magical Escape</strong>The Gardens transform into a winter wonderland during the colder months. Treat your loved ones</a> to a day surrounded by the beauty of nature, even in winter. Highlights include the tropical warmth of the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory, orchids in Marnie’s Pavilion, art exhibitions</a> in the Freyer – Newman Center galleries, the Helen Fowler Library</a>, free film screenings</a> in the Sturm Family Auditorium, and the calming sights of snow-dusted evergreens. Warm up with a cup of coffee from Copper Door Coffee Roasters. </p> Shop at the Gardens: Unique Finds</strong>Skip the mall and discover thoughtful gifts at the Shop at the Gardens</a>. From handcrafted jewelry and botanical-inspired home goods to gardening tools and books, the shop features items you won’t find anywhere else. Proceeds support the Gardens’ mission, so every purchase gives back.</p> This holiday season, give the gift of nature, creativity and connection. Explore all the possibilities at Denver Botanic Gardens and make your gifts as memorable as they are meaningful. </p>
The ever-present nature of shrubs plays an important role in creating habitat for wildlife. Their multiple persistent trunks allow them to maintain a year-round presence, even when other plants have senesced, creating a structure and stature in the landscape and shelter utilized by a huge variety of creatures. Conveniently for hungry animals, because of these persistent states, shrubs are also unmatched at holding onto fruit and seeds well into the winter months.</p> As my colleague Michael Guidi highlighted in his 2023 October Walking Tour “Ornamental Fruit: Berries, Drupes and Pommes,”</strong></a> colorful fruiting shrubs are excellent aesthetic additions to the winter garden, in addition to their extensive benefits for wildlife. But there are also less conspicuous fruits and seeds to be found throughout the world of winter shrubs with just as important an ecological role to fill. </p> Although the plants listed below can all be found in the Laura Smith Porter Plains Garden</strong>, this isn’t so much a tour along a specific route but a call to notice. Wander the gardens with your mind open to flashes of fluff and texture held above tawny and darkened winter stems.</p> Amorpha fruticosa</strong></em> (false indigo bush)</strong>While the dark maroon flowers of false indigo bush stun throughout the summer, the abundant latte colored seedheads offer important forage for songbirds throughout winter.</li> Atriplex canescens</strong></em> (fourwing saltbush)</strong>The fourwing saltbush is dioecious, meaning that different individuals have different sexes. You’ll need a female plant to produce the seeds that are enjoyed by a large variety of wildlife, but fret not if your bush isn’t producing seeds. Studies have shown that these shrubs have fluid biologies that allow them to switch between sexes as needed.</li> Ericameria nauseosa</strong></em> (rubber rabbitbrush)</strong>Rubber rabbitbrush is one of the most common and important shrubs of the Front Range. Following their late-autumn ochre blooms, they set thousands of seeds, which they hold atop their waxy stems.</li> Krascheninnikovia lanata</strong></em> (winterfat)</strong>The seeds of winterfat are so named because of their high levels of protein and ability to sustain small and large mammals throughout the winter months. Their dense seedheads resemble furry candles.</li> </ul> If you’re interested in incorporating shrubs into your garden and exploring inspirational shrublands throughout the world, be sure to check out the book that Michael Guidi and I wrote, “Shrouded in Light: Naturalistic Planting Inspired by Wild Shrublands.”</strong></a> Available in the Shop at the Gardens</strong></a> and at a number of online retailers.</p> </p> Gallery photos by Kevin Philip Williams</em></p>
Natural history collections have served as libraries of our world’s biodiversity for centuries. These libraries—holding plants, fungi and insects—are known as herbaria. There are over 3,565 herbaria worldwide and each contain important collections from their respective regions of the world. For instance, Denver Botanic Gardens houses the largest collection of macrofungal specimens from the southern Rocky Mountain region in the entire world. Because of this regional emphasis, scientists from other places who are interested in species we hold request loans of our specimens. Sending a loan is like a library lending you a book for an entire year. Scientists peruse our available online data and request physical specimens to sample and study when the scientific questions require it.</p> To give you an example of a loan, a few weeks ago the Gardens sent willow specimens to Quebec, Canada for a student who is trying to understand evolutionary relationships among different species of willow trees (Figure 1). If previous scientists hadn’t invested the time to collect willow specimens, that student would have to figure out how to travel across the world to collect samples from plants in the wild. Similarly, several fungal specimens were sent to Spain to elucidate the nature of the pigments in earth tongues (Neolecta </em>sp.) (Figure 2). We also request loans from other institutions. One of our graduate students here at the Gardens has requested Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium </em>sp.) from over 10 other herbaria to study the volatile compounds produced by the plant. These are just a few examples of the more than 30 active loans our Natural History Collections</a> are facilitating (Figure 3).</p> Herbaria are constantly utilized for their regional collections and frequently send specimens off to curious researchers. Even in our digital age, where data is readily available online, some scientific questions can only be answered by sampling and studying the actual plant or mushroom specimen. Lending our specimens out is one of many ways the Gardens is contributing to science aimed at answering our burning questions about biodiversity on a global scale.</p> This article was contributed by Collection's Assistant Matthew Sheik</strong>.</em> </p>
