There are 26 native orchid species (family Orchidaceae) in Colorado. Native orchids often rely on specific pollinators or fungal partners, which can limit their ranges. But while many are uncommon and have specific partners, some species can be invasive and generalist. Recently, we’ve been documenting both an uncommon orchid and a potentially invasive orchid—both for conservation-related reasons. </p> Orchids often require a fungal partner for germination, but the coralroot orchids (genus Corallorhiza</em>) are fascinating because they take the relationship further and remain parasitic on the fungus throughout their life. Instead of photosynthesizing, they totally rely on their fungal partner for energy. Therefore, they don’t quite look like regular plants. They lack true leaves and green coloring. They spend much of the year underground, as rootlike structures, only appearing above-ground as a flowering stalk in the spring. </p> In summer of 2024, our team discovered a population of striped coralroot orchid (Corallorhiza striata</em>) at Chatfield Farms. The striped coralroot had only been collected once in Jefferson County in 1905. This past summer 2025, I discovered the second at Bear Creek Lake Park. This population is vulnerable because it is in a heavily trafficked area and there is the prospect of expanding the park’s reservoir. We worked with the park to document this population. Biodiversity documentation like this is essential for protecting vulnerable species and habitats. </p>
Why plant in the fall when we’ve always heard spring is the right time to plant? Fall is when the season is winding down and when we start putting the gardens to bed, not when we plant new plants, right? WRONG! Fall planting is the best time to plant and let me tell you why.</p> Energy</strong></p> When we put our precious plants in the ground, it’s a bit of a shock to them. They’ve been nice and cozy in their nursery pot with their sterile potting mix, then we come around and yank them out of their home, shake off that peat and perlite mix</a> and jam them into some real soil…often a much heavier clay or loam. In spring, the days are heating up and getting longer, and those little plants are itching to photosynthesize; they want that sun, and they want to push out leaves and flower and get big and strong! That sounds great, that’s what we want, too! There is a caveat though… days getting longer signals foliar growth meaning all the plant’s energy is going up, up, up to the above-ground parts. Remember, what’s most important isn’t on the outside, it’s on the inside. Or in the plant’s case, inside the soil.</p> At the root of it</strong></p> What I’m getting at is roots. Ah yes, the roots, the anchor of the plant that drinks up the water and nutrients they need to survive. It is vital the plant establishes a strong root system for long term success. This is where fall planting shines. After the summer solstice, the days get shorter, the nights get cooler, and the plants start winding down. They know what’s coming and they start prepping by switching up their priorities. No more wasting energy on leaves and flowers, it’s time to build roots. </p> When we plant in the fall, plants get two or more full months to establish strong roots without dividing their resources between above-ground growth and below-ground growth. This gives them a head start for next spring because they’ll have deeper, better-established roots that can find more water and nutrients, allowing them to really go to town on foliar growth when the time comes.</p> Temperature </strong></p> Planting in the spring means hot days around the corner, and depending on how quickly summer comes, you may be watering those babies several times a week to keep them from frying. While fall days may still be hot, nights start to cool off, preventing moisture in the soil from evaporating, meaning less frequent watering. The moisture also keeps the ground temps stable and warm, perfect for root growth. But check the forecast and try to avoid planting in the days before an early frost. </p> One last reason</strong></p> If you’re still not convinced to plant your perennials in fall, here’s one more reason you can’t argue with: Most plant nurseries close for the winter and try to sell their remaining inventory before they do. This means sales, discounts, savings! Plants aren’t cheap, so be smart and shop when the prices are reduced. </p> Get out there and plant in the perfect fall weather – you won’t be sorry!</p> </p>
Stop looking for love in all the wrong places! </h2> Visit the Shop at the Gardens to find that special gift for your Valentine. </h3> For Your Crush </h4> Let the cards express your feelings. Choose from Denver-based card company Idea Chic. These cards offer smooth designs with a pastel candy color palette to give to your sweetheart. The Shop also features Pagosa Springs watercolor artist June Jurcak whose artistry captures vibrant, passionate colors from a Colorado-inspired landscape – elegance in an envelope. Idea Chic</strong> $6 -$5 June Jurcak</strong> $5.50 </p> For Date Night </h4> Stay in for date night and draw a fizzy bath soak made from dead sea salts by Finchberry. Products are preservative free, vegan and handmade. Delight in scents like Darling, a tender fragrance of cherry blossoms, white lily, and violet petals; or bathe in Renegade Honey, a warm honey scent with flecks of gold swirled in a bouquet of amber and almonds. Check out our selection from Mixture, which specializes in small batch, handmade and environmentally friendly bath essentials. Scents like Lauren’s Lavender Garden or Salt and Sage are luxuriously relaxing and beautifully bottled like an aged wine. Light some candles to set the ambiance with Mixture’s 2 oz candles in scents like Blend de Noir – a complex mix of soft power, apple blossom, Anjou pear and lemon zest. Or go bold with Mixture’s black votive candle with notes of deep, woody amber kissed with lemon and lavender. Mixture also offers shave kits and beard groom kits to look and feel your handsomest when stepping out. Finchberry Fizzy Bath Soak</strong> $20 Mixture Bubble Bath</strong> $35 2 oz. votive</strong> $10.95 Mixture Shave Essentials</strong> $36 Beard Essentials</strong> $40 </p> Hello, Lover! </h4> Jewelry lover, that is! Explore our collection of jewelry with artists such as Jenny Walker, Left Hand Studios and Anabel Aram.</p> Anabel Aram’s collection of elegant gold-plated 18k brass jewelry has timeless beauty. Anabel Aram</strong> $65 - $345 Give a lasting reminder of the beautiful flowers at the Gardens. Walker uses vitreous enamel to create unique color variations found in nature. Jenny Walker</strong> $80 - $240 Longmont-based Left Hand Studios offers a variety of styles to fit your fancy, from cats in a widow to peacocks and the house plant parent. Left Hand Studio earrings</strong> $25 </p> Sweet Romance</h4> For your sweetheart with a sweet tooth. Delicious macarons look as pretty as a picture to present to your Valentine, with flavors like Lavender Lemonade, Red Velvet and Café Latte. And don’t forget, honey for your honey. The Shop carries Bee Squared and Highland Honey, both based in Colorado. With creamed honey to flavored honey, you’ll be sure to find a honey to top off tea for two. Finally, delight in Carbondale-based Pollinator Chocolate, whose bars come in delectable lavender or smooth dark cherry. Denver Macaron </strong>$9 (3 pack) - $18 (6 pack) Bee Squared</strong> $25 Honey Sticks </strong>Pack of 10 $5 Pollinator Chocolate</strong> $14</p> Gift Cards </h4> The Shop at the Gardens</a> has gift cards for your Valentine. Bring them to the Gardens for a romantic date where they can select what they love from the Shop, and then stroll the gardens, galleries and Orchid Showcase</a>.</p> Help support our core value of sustainability - bring your own tote or let us gift wrap your present with the purchase of a reusable bag. </p> Come celebrate Valentines Day with us! </strong>This gift guide was contributed by Melissa Silver</strong>, gift shop representative. Photos by Evan Wang</strong>, gift shop representative.</em></p>
