Blog
Enjoy "Digging Into the Gardens" blog, written by Denver Botanic Gardens' staff. Learn about gardening, horticulture, research, conservation, special events, art, tours and much more.
Athletes, Survivalists and Opportunists in Your Garden
Understanding the plants we share our planet with is a key mission of botanic gardens worldwide. Denver Botanic Gardens delivers on this goal through collaborative research with universities and other
The importance of genetic diversity in plant conservation
When I talk about my work as a scientist in the Research and Conservation Department at Denver Botanic Gardens, I explain how I study the role of genetic diversity in conserving biodiversity. People
Collecting Data on Rare Plants to Address the Global Biodiversity Crisis
Our research scientists collect a lot of data every summer—and this work can be challenging. From our work in the field, we’ve learned to come prepared to clear one road that is invariably blocked by
Leading Through Uncertainty
Botanic gardens can change the world. Our former CEO Brian Vogt used to say this regularly as he spoke with people about the power of Gardens. There is no better time for botanic gardens to confirm
Penstemon Flowers and the Timing of Garden Beauty Under Water Stress
How might some of our favorite native garden plants respond to water stress as temperatures increase and precipitation events become harder to predict? This summer our team continued research started
Post-fire Understory Plant Communities: the Calwood Fire
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
Natural Friends and Foes of the Avery Peak Twinpod
Last year, I wrote a blog about my plan for field research on the Avery Peak Twinpod. I was investigating what affects the reproduction within and between the populations of this rare, alpine species
Native Seed for Restoration
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
Creating Buzz for Pollinators
It’s Pollinator Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the unsung heroes of our ecosystems: pollinators! From the tiniest bee to the most magnificent butterfly, these incredible creatures are vital to
Denver-Boulder City Nature Challenge Sets New Record in 2025
The City Nature Challenge is a yearly community science event for folks in cities all over the world to observe and document biodiversity in their own backyards, and 2025 was the 10-year anniversary
Can Green Spaces Survive with Less Water?
Over the past two years, I have been doing research to better understand the relationship between water limitation and plant growth. Most recently, I have been analyzing data that I collected last
Mosquitoes, Urban Wetlands and Colorado’s High Line Canal
Last summer, along with a team of dedicated volunteers and seasonal employees, I surveilled Colorado’s High Line Canal in search of urban wetland habitat and larval mosquitoes. We found plenty of both