The fruit is strangely lurid. Medlar is a European tree in the Rose Family that somehow exudes an air of strangeness. I have read accounts of how terrible it is to taste fruit before hard frost: we went down to 28F or so last Saturday night...is it time yet to sample this fruit? Am I brave enough? The Medlar is much more popular in Europe--in fact its epithet (germanicus</em>) implies it is a central European native. it is naturalized throughout Europe, but is more likely native to the Balkans and eastern Mediterranean, but has been cultivated for centuries for its exotic fruit. Like the totally unrelated pawpaw of the USA or most species of Persimmon, this fruit must be frosted to be rid of the unpalatable qualities. The question is now--how long after frost? The books are strangely mute on the subject. Of course, even if one never ate the fruit it would be worth growing this wonderful small tree for its beautiful flowers and habit. Good luck finding sources, however (this is not for sale at your local box store, I daresay!). There are mail order sources, and I have a hunch our Propagation gang might get wind of the enormous commercial opportunities of growing this for our blockbuster plant sales (hint hint)... As a rather embarrassed postscript, I must add that although this tree appears to be well established--likely growing in this spot for some time--this was the first year I noticed it. I was thrilled to find it (naturally in our awesome Herb Garden). I wonder how many other Medlars there are in Denver? I think there is a place for one in my home garden. Another post post script: I pointed this tree out to Gary Lincoff--the eminent Mushroom authority from New York City (and all around great botanist/horticulturist and wild forager) on his visit here last spring. Gary was visibly envious of our Medlar: he said that Mespilus</em> does not grow well in New York City or the Eastern Seaboard--apparently succumbing during the protracted spells of night heat and humidity (two things we have in great moderation hereabouts!). Another reason to treasure our strange, wonderful little tree! Find it just inside and west of the east entrance to the Herb Garden...</p>
People ask me all the time "When is the best time to visit Denver Botanic Gardens?" I confess here and now, I find this question annoying. Denver Botanic Gardens is simply gorgeous every minute and every day, and although I have a special love for spring blooming bulbs and wildflowers, I took a stroll around today, nearly the middle of September, and was frankly blown away: my thirty third summer here, and I felt as though I had never been here before. The waterlilies and water gardens have never been so splendiferdelicious (they need new adjectives to describe them...) There are incredible container plantings everywhere, and annuals cunningly tucked among perennials, and combinations of colors that dazzle wherever you look... There are masses of colchicums here and there, and cyclamen are making quite a show in the Rock Alpine Garden...I love the late summer bulbs. We seem to have more and more every year! There is a spectacular planting of scarlet morning glory on the trellises of the Birds and Bees garden worth making the trip for in and of themselves...you may well see some hummingbirds visit these! The native gardens are especially beautiful right now: the fruits of the many cacti on Dryland Mesa are nearly as showy as the flowers in the early part of the season, and there are no end of yellow daisies everywhere (here Zinnia grandiflora</em>) Where but at Denver Botanic Gardens would you see a forest of giant yuccas from Big Bend growing alongside Sunset hyssop and the Oriental sedum ('Indian Chief'), all combined with such artistry--this one has Dan Johnson's fingerprints all over it (Assistant Director of Horticulture and designer extraordinaire)... I have not shown you the Michaelmas daisies blazing through the O'Fallon Perennial Walk, or the Desert Willows covered with flowers everywhere, nor the masses of colors along the promenade in front of the Orangery, nor the sweeps of Muhlenbergia reverchonii</em> sparkling through the Rock Alpine Garden meadow...nor a hundred (or thousand) other dazzling gems of flower, shrub or tree at their lustrous peak of beauty... When is the best time to visit Denver Botanic Gardens? Right now!</p>
Why yes we do, and we have for several decades. The last weekend in August, over fifteen citizen scientists and several mycologists braved the wee hours of the morning and one of the driest summers in Colorado to spend the weekend hunting, cataloging, photographing and identifying macro-fungi for the Rocky Mountain National Park bioblitz. Macro-fungi are those fungi that produce large, showy fruiting bodies, which are more commonly known as mushrooms, chanterelles, and truffles. Of course in the natural world, large is relative term. The team collected puffballs that were a foot across as well as mushrooms with caps less than one-tenth of an inch in diameter. Even in a dry summer, a diverse and colorful array of fungi can be found in Colorado. No doubt whether you have hiked the hills and mountains this summer or lounged in your backyard you have noticed at least a mushroom or two, and have possibly even wondered what these organisms do. Why are they living in your lawn or pushing up through two inches of pine duff? Join us on Wednesday, September 12 at noon in Gates Hall</strong> to have your questions answered at the next installment of Research & Conservation’s lecture series “Re-search the Gardens: Meet our Scientists.” Vera Evenson, curator of the Sam Mitchel Herbarium of Fungi, will present on the vital role of fungi in the life of plants as well as share stories and images of a few of Colorado’s beautiful and fascinating mushrooms. The bi-monthly series presented by our staff scientists and adjunct researchers takes you behind the scenes and out into the field to share the stories of the species with which we work and the amazing areas we visit as we conduct our research. Please join us for this informal seminar series as you’re always bound to learn something new. All talks are free with admission to the Gardens and are presented at noon. Feel free to bring your lunch. Read more about the series.</p>
</p> When members take the time to let us know about their feelings or experiences, those of us in Denver Botanic Gardens' Membership Department pay close attention. Member feedback is one of the most valuable resources we have; it lets us know what what members would like to see more of, what needs improvement, and what we're doing just right. It brightens our day when we receive member feedback full of kind words and positive energy, and it's wonderful to know when someone is getting the very most out their membership. A great example of such feedback was sent to us via email by long-time Gardens member Kate Lawrence. Kate writes:</p> Dear Friends,</blockquote> I'm writing to let you know how we are using our Gardens membership, and to say thanks for the services you provide.</blockquote> A few years ago, my husband and I wanted to convert our front lawn to xeric perennials, but didn't know how to begin. He took a Denver Botanic Gardens class in 2008 called The Waterwise Flower Garden, taught by Lauren Springer Ogden. The class not only provided extensive information but also enthusiasm--he went from looking at the yard project as a chore, to being excited about the possibilities!</blockquote> Fast forward to now: our front lawn is completely gone, replaced by gorgeous xeric flowers (plus we grow veggies in part of the space). We still take the plant list from that class with us whenever we go to garden stores; the list has been highly reliable. Having the xeric flowers not only reduces water use, but makes our yard so much more interesting and colorful. We sometimes see passersby stop on the front sidewalk for several minutes to look at our yard, as it is so unusual on the block.</blockquote> Our annual membership this year completely paid for itself in one day through reciprocal admission savings. Recently we visited Atlanta. Flashing our Gardens membership card got us free admission to the Atlanta History Center ($14.50 X 2 = $29 savings) and the Atlanta Botanical Garden ($18.95 X 2 = $37.90 savings). That total, $66.90, completely covers the Gardens $65 Individual Plus One membership. Also, we enjoy bringing our visiting friends and relatives to the Gardens using the free guest passes. Membership in Denver Botanic Gardens does more than just provide a beautiful place to visit; it educates and enriches us in ways that extend far beyond your garden gates.</blockquote> Sincerely,</blockquote> Kate Lawrence</blockquote> </p> Members who take advantage of the full range of their benefits often find that a membership to Denver Botanic Gardens pays for itself. Most know that they can visit the Gardens for free, but not all are aware that they receive reciprocal admissions benefits at botanic gardens, arboreta and conservatories throughout the nation, as well as discounts on concert tickets and most classes and special event registrations that we offer here. We encourage you to discover all the wonderful places your membership can take you.</p> We would like to express our gratitude to all members who, like Kate, take time out of their busy schedules to let us know how we're doing. Do you have something you would like to share? Please enlighten us, members! Your feedback is helping us grow!</p>
No, Virginia! Those are not flowers,but the seedheads on one of the most remarkable and beautiful shrubs (or is it a tree?) from China. Heptacodium miconioides</em> was discovered by E.H. Wilson in Hubei province in China in 1907, but only introduced to cultivation in 1980 when seed was grown at the Arnold Arboretum, which distributed plants a few years later to members. One of those original plants is featured at the end of this blog. Not only are the seedheads in late autumn spectacular, but the flowers are a lovely, pure white: it blooms much of August and September. If you come close you will smell an indescribable, sweet fragrance that is somehow tropical, rather like the exotic shape of the leaves with their long drip tips. The smell is strongest in the evening and at night--almost overpowering at times (but no one complains!). Here is a particularly floriferous plant I photographed ten years ago in Massachusetts. Here is the oldest specimen at Denver Botanic Gardens, planted in the late 1990's, already almost 20' tall. This is coming into full bloom right now, and should be spectacular much of the next month: do come sniff it! Here is the largest specimen in Colorado (that I know of): Solange Gignac, who worked 23 years at Denver Botanic Gardens, obtained one in 1983 the first year they were distributed--so this is now in its 30th year of growing. It is 30' tall and growing--a magnificent plant I would characterize as a tree. Not only are the flowers and seedheads beautiful, but the bark is appealing all times of year. A mature specimen develops a trunk rather like a Crepe Myrtle--mottled and glistening with time. This seems to have great cold hardiness and thrives in a variety of sites and soils. It needs average irrigation in Colorado (it is not a desert plant), but has such sterling qualities that Plant Select has promoted this as a recommended plant for Colorado Gardens. Solange Gignac passed away a week ago today: I know that every time I admire our wonderful specimens growing in several gardens around DBG (Rock Alpine Garden, Plantasia, Plant Select), I shall think of her, and her love of this plant. It's sweet fragrance will remind me of the years of sweet companionship and friendship, and her great contributions to our community and Helen Fowler Library.</p>
From the moment your lungs take in that first breath of warm, comforting and humid air you know you have entered the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory. The Tropical Conservatory is home to over 550 species of plants spanning 306 genera from 87 plant families from all over the world. You have probably seen many epiphytes on previous visits but maybe didn’t know what they were. Read on and I shall cast some light on these wonderful oddities!</p> Epiphytes are organisms that grow on the surface of host plants, often attaching themselves with strong roots. They obtain moisture from the air and nutrients from debris around them. A common example of this would be Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides</em>) growing off of a tree branch. Epiphytes differ from parasites in that they attach only for physical support, not for food or water. They are found in every major group of the plant kingdom, including some species of algae growing under water. The Tropical Conservatory is host to many epiphytes, and they come in many different forms.</p> As you enter the Tropical Conservatory from the east end, take a few steps in and look up to the right. In a planter pocket of the rock ledge grows an exciting epiphytic orchid, Grammatophyllum speciosum</em>. Native to Indonesia, it is also known as the sugar cane orchid, because of the appearance of the pseudobulbs. The largest plant was recorded as weighing more than a ton and each raceme can bear up to 80 scented flowers. It can remain in bloom for up to 2 months.</p> Continue down the path, past the duck pond and up the stairs to the main level. From the top of the stairs turn right and look at the wall. Here you will see Platycerium bifurcatum</em>, or staghorn fern, mounted here. It is native to Java, New Guinea and southeastern Australia. They require consistent moisture and shady locations. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. Its common name comes from the appearance of the dissected fronds.</p> The final plant on our epiphytic journey is an amazing silvery plant called Tillandsia tectorum</em>. It is found at the top of the treehouse, the highest point you can get to in the Tropical Conservatory. It has many thin, very silvery leaves and loves high light and heat. This plant is native to Peru and Ecuador. In late summer it gets a lovely light purple/pink bloom that can last for several months. This species is well suited to Colorado because of its love of low humidity and intense sunlight and makes a great plant for you to try at home.</p>
As a resident of the Denver area for most of my life, it was a true gift to experience my internship in Horticultural Therapy (HT) at Denver Botanic Gardens, a place that has always inspired magic in me. Working in the garden has always been a healing experience for me, and sharing that with others is my purpose.</p> Denver Botanic Gardens created an internship in HT that meets the requirements of the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) for professional Registered Horticultural Therapists (HTR). Denver Botanic Gardens focuses on Therapeutic Horticulture, which is defined by AHTA as:</p> “The participation in horticultural activities facilitated by a registered horticultural therapist as a therapeutic modality to support program goals. Therapeutic horticulture is the process through which participants enhance their well-being through active or passive involvement in plant and plant-related activities.”</p> Summer Sensory is a program where groups of different populations visit the Gardens for a tour of the Sensory Garden and to participate in a Therapeutic Horticulture activity such as planting a sensory plant container or arranging flowers. We invite participants to engage with the plants regardless of differing abilities, and each participant interacts in their own unique way. The SPARK program for Alzheimer’s meets once a month, alternating between the York Street and Chatfield Farms locations.</p> I personally enjoyed working with SPARK, as I was able to get to know the same people who came each month, and to observe how working with the plants was affecting them positively. Horticultural Therapy is especially effective for people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s, as invoking some senses, like the sense of smell, can trigger memories. I think its safe to say we may have all experienced this, as a certain scent of a flower can take us back to a special person, place or time!</p> Other Therapeutic Horticulture Programs at the Gardens I experienced were with the Rocky Mountain Cancer Society, which included Seasonal Meditative Walks facilitated by Angie Andrade, HTR and horticulturist at the Gardens, and “The Cancer Journey as Reflected through the Art of Bonsai,” a workshop led by the Gardens' Bonsai Specialist Larry Jackel and Horticultural Therapist Angie Andrade, both aided by social workers from the Rocky Mountain Cancer Society. This experience of therapeutic horticulture touched my heart, as metaphors of nature were employed to relate to the journey of not just cancer, but life.</p> I am also very excited to have been able to contribute a program to Denver Botanic Gardens and Craig Hospital inspired by another passion of mine: herbal medicine. I created a seasonal Horticultural Therapy curriculum that focuses on growing, preserving, and experiencing herbs.</p> We began in the spring, learning how to plant and care for herbs. As we shifted into summer, the herbs offered their abundance and participants harvested and made tea with fresh herbs. As summer waned, we began to think of ways to preserve the herbs. In late summer, participants preserved herbs in vinegar. In the fall, participants learned techniques for drying herbs for winter use. In winter, when little is green outside, participants are able to create their own unique winter tea blend with herbs they harvested in the fall. This program is designed to guide participants to relate to the seasons in the context of how herbs can be beneficial in their own lives. Along with this curriculum, I have also created an herb chart with information on herbs that are easy to grow on the Front Range, as well as ways that they can be used in culinary or medicine.</p> My internship at Denver Botanic Gardens has been a life-changing experience. This internship has expanded my knowledge and appreciation of the plant world, both cultivated and native plants. I am grateful that the Gardens created this internship to offer to students of Horticultural Therapy. I am thankful for the knowledgeable and passionate staff at the Gardens, especially my mentors, Angie Andrade and Lee McCoy. This internship has inspired and challenged me to step into my role as a guide for people to connect with nature.</p> This blog post was written by Gina Sferrazza. Gina first discovered her love of gardening by sowing seeds in a tiny backyard patio. She went on to develop her horticultural skills through working on vegetable and medicinal herb farms. She has volunteered with horticultural therapy programs at The Mental Health Center of Denver and Jeffco Transition Services before starting as the Horticultural Therapy Intern at Denver Botanic Gardens. Gina's personal mission is to use her knowledge to teach others how to cultivate plants, in order to create a world in harmony with nature. </em></p>
</p> My name is Jocelyn Schilling, and I have been a groundskeeper here at Denver Botanic Gardens for six months now. My main duties are using the leaf blower to clear the pathways as well as sweeping, raking and other things to keep the Gardens clean. I have Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of high-functioning autism, which makes social interaction harder for me than the typical person.</p> Before I worked here at the Gardens I was a shy individual who had dreams to live on my own, travel the world, and have career researching plants and animals. However, in my current situation I was starting to doubt that it was even going to happen. Just thinking about taking the steps to reach these goals was terrifying, and I did not want to deal with it. Thus I would hide in my room and play video games. This frustrated me because I was getting nowhere in life. I longed to have a purpose and be successful, but I didn’t know how.</p> When I graduated from Front Range Community College I wanted to get a Job. My job coach had told me about a position at Denver Botanic Gardens, and I thought that would be amazing, but would they really want to hire ME? All I had was an associates degree and a two-year Greenhouse Management Certificate.</p> From the moment I started here, everyone was so welcoming and happy to have me here and willing to show me how to do things. As time went on I got more used to the job and became familiar with the routine. I frequently got overwhelmed with praise from everyone on my work. I couldn’t believe it! I had never been given any feedback in my past work experiences let alone this much praise. This made me feel that I had an important role here and I was needed to make this an even more beautiful place.</p> There are so many amazing things I learned from working at the Gardens this season. One of my favorites was trimming Tamamono shrubs in the Japanese Garden, helping to manage the water gardens, and more recently learning how to properly plant bulbs.</p> I would like to thank my job coach and friend Natalie Wetzel for supporting me throughout this entire season and connecting me with the Gardens. I would also like to thank my supervisor Angie Andrade for taking a chance on hiring someone with Asperger’s when others would not have done so. Finally, I want to thank everyone who let me help in their garden, show me new things and make this a remarkable experience I won’t soon forget.</p> I am sad that my time at these beautiful gardens is coming to an end. This has been the best experience of my life thus far, and I am so blessed to have been able to work here. I leave here with valuable experiences, new relations and a newfound confidence that I can accomplish my dreams. Thanks again to all of the wonderful staff for everything. Hope to see you next year.</p>
In the 1860s, pioneers settled on the land next to Deer Creek in what is now Littleton. The stream provided the settlers with the only water around for miles. Frank Hildebrand bought a log cabin and a large piece of land where he and his family constructed barns and other structures for their ranching business. Being in the arid grasslands up against the foothills, the Hildebrands understood that they needed to find a working relationship between the environment and their family farm. Their house, garden and summer kitchen were built near the creek to take advantage of the steady flow of water.</p> But building their structures near Deer Creek was a double-edged sword for the Hildebrands. The convenience of having close access to a vital resource was offset by the possibility of flooding caused by high-flow events. Our experts speculate that to mitigate the risk of flooding, the Hildebrands worked to channelize Deer Creek. Deepening the ravine and steepening the banks would increase the capacity for flow volume so floods could move through the system efficiently, causing less damage to the upper terrace and the Hildebrands’ livelihoods.</p> Today, the property is split between an open space park in Jefferson County and Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. Hildebrand Ranch is on the National Register of Historic Places and many of the original buildings are still standing. Deer Creek is also an important wildlife corridor for bears, beavers, deer, coyotes, raccoons and many species of birds; however, channelized streams are not very productive for native species. Our conservation ecology team is developing a stream restoration plan that will find a balance between restoring the natural meanders of Deer Creek while also protecting the historical buildings on site.</p> This blog post was written by Margo Paces, M.S. student at University of Colorado Denver. Margo studies stream restoration along Deer Creek at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. She quantifies plant communities along the riparian corridor to gauge the effectiveness of restoration efforts.</em></p>
In part one of this series, we talked about carnivorous plants that use active traps to capture their prey. Next, we cover another trapping mechanism used by multiple species of predatory plants: passive traps.</p>While the active traps of Venus flytraps, waterwheel and bladderworts capture insects by either snapping shut on them or quickly sucking them in, passive traps do not use any motion to catch their prey.</p>These inactive traps can be further broken down into “pitfall,” “lobster pot,” and “pigeon” traps.</p>Pitfall Traps</strong></h3>Modified leaves are used as individual pitfall traps by many types of pitcher plants, including hardy, tropical, Australian and sun pitchers. Hardy pitcher plants (Sarracenia</em> spp.) can be found growing in nutrient poor bogs throughout the United States and into portions of Canada, while tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes</em> spp.) are natives of Madagascar, Australia and Southeast Asia. Sun pitchers (Heliamphora </em>spp.) are native to swampy areas on high plateaus in South America, specifically Venezuela, Guayana and northern Brazil. Australian pitcher plants (Cephalotus follicularis</em>) consist of a single species which can be found growing in swamps or alongside streams and creeks in southwestern Australia.</p>Pitfall traps often have a nectar producing portion near the entry of the trap and may also be brightly colored. Both features aid in luring insects. Downward-pointing hairs can often be found inside these traps, which make it easy for insects to crawl in but much more difficult for them to get out. Some of these pitfall traps have liquid in the base which contains digestive fluids produced by the plant. Others do not have a pool of water but exude digestive enzymes once the insects starve in the trap. Some large species of tropical pitcher plants have even been known to draw rodents into their traps!</p>Lobster Pot Traps</strong></h3>One hardy pitcher plant that uses a slightly different passive trapping mechanism is the parrot pitcher plant (Sarracenia psittacina</em>). The method of trapping used by this species is referred to as a “lobster pot” trap and encourages insects to crawl deep into a trap with the lure of nectar. Once inside, the bug is confused by the presence of glassy windows, known as areoles, which allow light into the trap. It cannot find its way out through the darker trap opening and is slowly digested by the plant.</p>California pitcher plants (Darlingtonia californica</em>), which are native to a small range in northern California and southern Oregon, also use these types of traps in combination with a pitfall trap. Insects are drawn to the mouth of the trap by the sweet scent of nectar. The pitcher is lined with areoles, which allow light into the trap, confusing the insects. It becomes easier for the bugs to find their way further into the trap then to find a way out through the darker opening, and they eventually reach a portion with slick, downward-pointing hairs—the pitfall portion of the trap. Unfortunately, it is all downhill from there for the insect—both figuratively and literally.</p>Pigeon Traps</strong></h3>The final type of passive trap used by carnivorous plants can be found in the multiple species belonging to the genus Genlisea</em>, commonly referred to as corkscrew plants. Native to Central and South America as well as Africa, these plants grow in aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats and feed mostly on protozoans. Researchers are still studying how prey are drawn into the plants’ traps, but once there, the trap uses a technique also used in pigeon traps. Prey push past inward-pointing hairs as they enter the trap, which prevent them from backing out.</p>At the Gardens, you can see examples of carnivorous plants with passive traps in the terrariums located at the east end of the Orangery. Sun pitchers live in two of these terrariums and hardy pitcher plants are often rotated into the displays during the summer months. A tropical pitcher plant (Nepenthes alata</em>) can be found in the largest terrarium, while other Nepenthes</em> species can be viewed through the glass panels which divide the Orangery from the easternmost greenhouse.</p>In the third and final part of this series</a>, we will examine carnivorous plants that use sticky “flypaper” type traps to capture their prey.</p>
</p> The trees are trimmed, the halls are decked: on Friday night, we open Blossoms of Light™</a>, and we couldn’t be more excited about this year’s display. With new features and more lights than ever before, we think even the most seasoned holiday visitor will walk away in amazement. As the event gains more and more popularity, we want to share some tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Blossoms of Light experience.</p> Buy Your Tickets in Advance – For Real!</strong></p> Tickets went on sale on October 1, and we’ve already sold quite a few! While this may have once been an event you could make a last decision about, it’s no longer that kind of event. Tickets are limited each night and are spread across four timed entry windows and we expect to sell out most nights. Plus, tickets increase in price by $5 at the door, so you really can’t go wrong by booking in advance.</p> Visit on Week Nights Early in the Season</strong></p> Last year, we sold out every single night of Blossoms of Light during the last two weeks of December, and we sold out almost every weekend night during the entire run. The slowest nights to attend are weeknights during the week after Thanksgiving and the first week of December.</p> Want Great Photography? Come Late!</strong></p> If you want pictures that feature the lights and not hundreds of strangers, buy tickets for the 8 p.m. time slot on your chosen date. The crowds definitely thin out after 8:30, and though entry stops at 9 p.m., visitors can remain in the Gardens until 9:30 p.m. </p> Want Really </em>Great Photography? Brave the Snow!</strong></p> Yes, it will be cold. But Blossoms of Light really comes to life under a blanket of fresh snow! Don’t let a little Colorado weather scare you away… your Instagram followers will thank you!</p> Ditch Your Car, Take a Lyft</strong></p> We’ve partnered with Lyft to help encourage our visitors to skip the hassle of city parking and arrive in style right at our front gate. New users can save $5 off their first three rides with code GARDENS18, and new or existing users can save 20% off one ride to or from the Gardens with code BOL2018. And don’t forget: the event is easily accessible by two RTD bus lines, has several Car2Go spots and has a B-Cycle station just outside the main entrance.</p> Bring Your Appetite</strong></p> This year, all food locations will be open until 9 p.m. every night of Blossoms of Light (including Christmas). Stop by the hot beverage bar, Offshoots Café, the roasted nut tent or The Hive garden bistro for treats, beverages or dinner.</p> Shop On Your Way Out</strong></p> Kill two birds with one stone and knock out some holiday shopping as you exit Blossoms of Light; The Shop at the Gardens will be open until 9 p.m. each night. Or, stop at our ticket counter in the Bonfils-Stanton Visitor Center to give the gift of a Gardens membership.</p> Blossoms of Light is open 5-9 p.m. every night from November 23 - January 1. Advance purchases are highly recommended to get the best price and to ensure admittance on your desired date. </strong>Get your tickets today!</strong></a></p>
