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 project that will contribute to this very area! </p> In partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), we are growing several native plant species in an agricultural setting. The goal of this project is to develop best-cultivation protocols for mass commercial seed growers as well as to produce seed stock for local projects aiming to restore ecosystems post-wildfire. The seeds we are working with have been collected via BLM’s Seeds of Success program, which aims to preserve and increase the availability of native plant materials for restoration projects around the country and to capture as much genetic diversity within each species as possible. The more we know about the genetic background of our seed stock, the better we can predict which populations will do best in which geographic locations, and this will greatly enhance the effectiveness of our projects. </p> We are currently working on four native plant species: Heterotheca villosa</em> (hairy false goldenaster), Phacelia crenulata</em> (scorpion notchweed), Sphaeralcea coccinea </em>(scarlet globemallow) and Stanleya pinnata</em> (desert prince’s plume). For the last few months, I have been working with Dr. Rebecca Hufft, our associate director of climate resilience, to develop a plan and design for growing out these species and experimenting with different cultivation practices along the way, from in-house stratification and germination methods to in-field planting and seed harvesting strategies. </p> At this stage in the game, we have successfully grown at least 150 individuals of each species (for some that number is far greater) and have out-planted them in our research plots at Chatfield Farms</a>. Plants are establishing now, being watered sparingly via our drip-line irrigation system, and some have even begun to flower and produce fruit. As this first season goes on, we will continue to collect data on the plants to track their progress as well as add to our protocol and observations anything from watering timetables to common pollinator species witnessed. We plan to work with these species for the next few seasons and are looking to put together a plan for a fall seeding event as well. </p> Though this is just the beginning, I am excited and confident that projects like this have the potential to greatly improve our native seed stock deficit and give us the power to be more prepared and achieve far more lasting successes in the realm of ecological restoration!</span> </span></p> </span></p>
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>
Architectural plants provide a visual structure and framework as well as a year-round presence in the garden. Plants don’t have to be woody to lend structure to the garden; perennials, grasses, evergreens and shrubs offer not only visually engaging elements but also provide habitat for pollinators and animals in all seasons. Let us explore the Gardens to see examples of architectural plants. </p> </p> Yucca rostrata</strong></em> </a></h3> As you approach the Crossroads Garden</strong>, you cannot miss this specimen. A striking plant that gives a strong sense of place, Yucca rostrata</em>, or beaked yucca, provides a structural integrity that remains throughout the season and only becomes more outstanding over time. It takes years to establish a “trunk” but is well worth the wait. Yuccas grow in many parts of the U.S. but are often identified as a “western” plant seen in drylands and deserts. Almost all yuccas bloom prolifically in spring offering the bonus of showy flowers held high above their foliage. Yuccas require well-drained soil and full sun. </p> Picea glauca</em> ‘Pendula’</strong></a></h3> Flanking either side of the Roads Water-Smart Garden </strong>entrance in the raised planters, Picea glauca</em> ‘Pendula’, weeping white spruce, immediately communicates elegance and grace. Narrow and upright, this is a great choice for small spaces or as a specimen plant in the garden. Provide plenty of sun and moderate water. Available through Plant Select®</a>. </p> Juniperus scopulorum</em> ‘Woodward’</strong></a></h3> Columnar Woodward juniper creates a distinctive framework along the walk next to the UMB Bank Amphitheater</strong> and Roads Water-Smart Garden</strong>. This plant resembles the columnar Italian cypress, making it an elegant choice for entrances and corridors. Junipers are tough plants that withstand just about any growing conditions. Best in full sun and once established require little to no maintenance. Woodward juniper is a Plant Select specimen that works great as a screen in tight spaces. </p> Agave parryi</strong></em></a></h3> Another “western” plant which provides character and structure is Parry’s agave. This coarse-textured evergreen is incredibly tough, requiring full sun and very little water. These are slow growers, but they live up to 30 years. They bloom at the end of their life cycle – a sight which cannot be missed. The flower stalk can be up to 12 feet high above the rosette. But don’t worry, before they flower, agaves produce vegetative offshoots, also known as “pups,” which can be easily transplanted and propagated to become mature plants. </p> Ornamental Grasses: Schizachyrium scoparium</em></a>, Sorghastrum nutans</em></a> and Calamagrostis brachytricha</em></a></strong></h3> Many ornamental grasses perform extremely well in our steppe climate. The Ornamental Grasses Garden </em>showcases these versatile, low-maintenance plants. When left up in the winter, not only do grasses provide structure but also movement and color. There are many to choose from, including little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium</em>, which turns bronze to burgundy in fall. If you want a unique grass in your garden, try Sorghastrum nutans</em>, Indian grass. Its similar size and upright habit make it a great alternative to feather reed grass (Calamagrostis</em> × acutiflora</em> 'Karl Foerster'). Even shady gardens can utilize ornamental grasses. Korean feather reed grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha</em>) is a Plant Select selection that is drought and (part) shade tolerant! </p> Perennials: Stonecrop (Sedum spectabile</em>)</a>, yarrow (Achillea)</a>, Jerusalem sage (Phlomis russeliana</em>)</a>, globe thistle (Echinops ritro</em>)</a></strong></h3> Flowers and seed heads, though their color has faded, create texture, winter interest and habitat for plants and pollinators! A walk through the Romantic Gardens </strong>offers several examples of perennial winter interest. Around the circular water feature, look for sedum and yarrow, classic winter perennials in the garden. Caryopteris</em> × clandonensis</em> 'Worcester Gold', also known as bluebeard, is only half hardy in our climate but it must be mentioned as it provides great winter interest and is an incredibly tough and beautiful flowering plant. </p> Enter the Fragrance Garden</strong> and along the curved walkway, look for dried flowers stacked vertically on stems. These are Jerusalem sage, or Phlomis russeliana</em>, and holds blooms and stalks well throughout the winter. Turning left at the gazebo next to the benches in El Pomar</strong>, look for rounded seed heads on globe thistle (Echinops ritro</em>). All have unique flower heads that stand tall and remind one of what is to come in spring.</p>
The next several months will be the start of something big; actually, several big somethings. The first comes in April when the beloved O’Fallon Perennial Walk is planted anew. Under the guidance of horticultural wizard Bridget Blomquist, a better story will be told about these perseverant plants that captivate visitors, revealed in waving tableaus that promise nine months of color. </p> Then, this summer we tackle two major sustainability projects at York Street. First, every flat roof on our buildings will sport solar panels. These, combined with all-renewable electricity, will create a campus that is net zero except for natural gas-fueled boilers to heat critical buildings, such as the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory. The second project is the next phase in saving water. The Japanese Garden stream will be relined, and in coming years, we will reseal waterways and ponds throughout the Gardens. </p>
Denver Botanic Gardens’ scientists embarked on their third season of research this summer in partnership with the High Line Canal Conservancy to survey plant communities along the 71-mile trail. I was fortunate to take part in this project through a “near-peer” mentoring program. This program pairs graduate students, like myself, with undergraduates interested in furthering their STEM skillsets. Near-peer mentoring is a type of mentoring that allows mentors to connect with mentees that are of similar professional or social status or age. Graduate student Alissa Iverson and I mentored a fieldwork team of three undergraduates. </p> Our near-peer mentoring project began by getting to know the undergraduates and their career goals. We asked the undergraduates what skills they were hoping to obtain from this experience and how they thought we could best help them. Alissa and I also took this time to introduce ourselves, discuss our backgrounds and career goals. Gardens scientists and CU Denver faculty were brought in to share their stories as well. This type of collaborative discussion was not only a great icebreaker, but an excellent way to show undergraduates that STEM professions don’t always follow a linear path. </p> Our fieldwork started with a training day. Alissa and I led the undergraduates around the Gardens and Cheesman Park to practice identifying some of the tree species found along the canal. Undergraduates were introduced to taking measurements of tree size, tree health and distance to trail and the Canal. We also took this time to designate workflow and how we would perform duties on rotation to maximize learning and hands-on experience. </p> Once on the Canal, micro-decisions had to be made about how to handle deviations from practice expectations. Measurements could not always be completed due to steep drop-offs or vegetative overgrowth. Some trees once planted on banks were now rooted in water. We found that we needed to clarify some of the descriptive observations being recorded such as, “on or above slope.” These are important variables, and properly addressing them was of top priority to ensure data integrity. Although many of our workdays were completed in temperatures higher than 90 degrees, our team consistently recorded data for more than 20 trees per day. </p> Alissa and I met with the fieldwork team again at the end of the summer to review what the team learned and what they felt like was most beneficial from the experience. Going through the motions in the field and rotating duties helped to keep everyone actively learning throughout the process. Making micro-decisions in the field led to training in leadership and quick decision making. These types of experiences are crucial to advancing knowledge in a field that you may have been introduced to, but have not had formal training in. Near-peer was a great opportunity for graduate students and Gardens scientists to convey their love of botany and the preservation of the natural world to future generations. </p> </p> This article was contributed by Tiffany Gentry, graduate student at the Gardens.</em> </p>
I am immensely proud that Denver Botanic Gardens is hosting the 2022 Colorado Pollinator Summit on Wednesday, November 9. Open to the public, the theme is “Scaling Pollinator Conservation for a New Era: Growing, Progressing, Transforming.” And this year it is in person!</p> The Summit features keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Buchmann, co-author of the seminal book “The Forgotten Pollinators.”</a> Dr. Buchmann is a pollination ecologist specializing in bees, and an adjunct professor with the departments of entomology and of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona. He will speak about the diversity, natural history and importance of native bees.</p> Other speakers, special guests and panel discussions cover topics from balancing honeybee keeping with conserving native species, enacting policies for change, health impacts of native-plants policy and how to grow conservation work through a Pollinator Action Plan. </p> The Summit is in its seventh year and presented by the Colorado Pollinator Network (CPN). CPN consists of Colorado entities that, caring deeply about pollinators, are working together to conserve them. This includes Butterfly Pavilion, City of Boulder, CSU State Extension, CU Museum of Natural History, Denver Audubon, Denver Botanic Gardens and People and Pollinators Action Network. Its focus is to share information about best practices, resources and knowledge to support education initiatives, conservation, restoration and creation of habitats and research on pollinators in the state. The Summit is one vehicle to achieve this.</p> Please join us for this inspiring, educational and thought-provoking event. </p>
The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) team has had a great growing season at Chatfield Farms. As the season winds down, our focus shifts from planting and harvesting vegetables and flowers to field clean up and winter prep. Here are three tips for welcoming late fall and winter to your garden:</p> 1. Clean up!</strong> Remove any irrigation that may freeze and crack over the winter, as well as any plastic or metal you may have used for trellising or covering plants. You don’t want undesirable items disintegrating into your soil and any reusable materials may degrade quickly if left out. </p>
Exposure to nature has a positive impact on overall health, with benefits such as stress reduction, lowering blood pressure, better mood and improved attention. More companies are beginning to incorporate nature into their wellness programs for these benefits. </p> At Denver Botanic Gardens, of course, our mission is to connect people with plants. Why not use some of our offerings to support overall better health with your staff? Host an employee wellness day in one of our venues at Chatfield Farms</a>, just 20 minutes outside of the city. We invite you and your company, or a business you work with, out for a mindful morning, forest bathing or simply an afternoon to reset in the fresh air year-round. You never know what a monthly dose of nature will do for your employees. </p>
As the days shorten and we head into autumn, we start seeing pumpkins everywhere – they are used as decorations on stoops and inside houses; they flavor various culinary specialties from pies and soups to lattes and beer; and let us not forget their importance in the competitive sport of punkin’ chuckin’. But what exactly is a pumpkin? Is it a vegetable? Is it a fruit? Or is it simply a decoration for Halloween?</p> Botanically speaking, a pumpkin is a fruit. And even more specifically, a pumpkin is a type of botanical berry called a pepo. This specialized term is used to describe fruits of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae</em>), which are modified to have a hard outer rind and lots of seeds, such as squashes, cucumber and watermelon. Pepo </em>derives from the Ancient Greek word, pepon</em>, meaning “large melon.” After many derivatives came the word we use today, pumpkin</em>. However, the term pumpkin </em>has no real botanical or scientific meaning, as all pumpkins are technically squash. </p>
