Next weekend we spring ahead with Daylight Saving Time! That means soon we'll be waving winter goodbye and welcoming warmer weather. What better way to bring spring into your home than with some whimsical details that celebrate the season?</p> Check out our gallery for new spring arrivals at the Shop at the Gardens. And remember: You can shop online</a>, select curbside pick-up or stop by in person</a>. Members get 10 percent off their purchases.</p> Shop today!</p> </p>
You may be surprised to learn that many species of plants produce flowers in March, from bulbs to the lesser-known variety of perennials, shrubs and ornamental trees that offer fragrance and color in the garden. Let us explore the Gardens to learn about what’s in bloom despite the cool temperatures this time of year!</p> Cercocarpus intricatus</a></em></h3> Native to Colorado and the Intermountain West, the little leaf mountain mahogany is a drought tolerant, native evergreen that blooms late March through most of April. This shrubby, slow grower is in the family Rosaceae and is not a true mahogany (family Meliaceae). In a natural setting, wildlife will forage this plant, which can encourage new growth and a fuller habit. Look for it on the north side of the Roads Water-Smart Garden</strong>.</p> Tulipa humilis </em>‘Lilliput’</a></h3> When it comes to spring bulbs, tulip species (versus Dutch-bred hybrids) aren’t one of the "usual suspects" in the garden. Native to Turkey and the Caucasus, blooming at the end of March and into early April, this cultivar is hardy to zone 3. As you walk west along the Roads Water-Smart Garden</strong>, look for red blooms and foliage low to the ground on the south bed adjacent to the pathway planted among lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina</em>).</p> Galanthus nivalis</em> ‘Flore Pleno’</a></h3> (Double) snowdrop is one of the earliest bulbs to flower. Expect flowers to emerge as early as February and into March. The cultivar 'Flore Pleno' is called double snowdrops as it produces dainty, nodding double flowers. Snowdrops provide an important source of food for honeybees when few other plants are flowering. Galanthus</em> does well under trees and naturalize by producing offsets. It is a great drought and shade tolerant early bloomer that is cold hardy to zone 3. As you near the end of Shady Lane</strong> look south to see this bulb in bloom.</p> Arctostaphylos</em> × coloradensis </em>‘Panchito’</a></h3> Stop by the Darlene Radichel Plant Select® Garden</strong> and you will find a broadleaf evergreen commonly called manzanita. It produces lovely pink small heather-like flowers which hang in small clusters from the branches. Flowers last for up to six weeks and may produce tiny apple-like berries in the summer that songbirds and small mammals enjoy eating. This plant provides shelter and cover for wildlife while leaf litter provides habitat for insects and pollinators. ;</p> Chaenomeles japonica</em></a></h3> Flowering Japanese quince is a traditional garden plant which has long been enjoyed for its open, arching habit and spring flowering bright red, pink, orange or white blooms, depending on cultivar. Flowers emerge in late March and early April and are typically 1- 2 inches with bright yellow stamens. See if you can spot all seven specimens as you walk through the Japanese Garden</strong>.</p> Prunus tomentosa</a></em></h3> The cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. and throughout Japan are a worldwide known phenomenon. Did you know we have the same experience at Denver Botanic Gardens? A classic flowering ornamental, Nanking cherry has profuse fragrant pale pink blooms that you cannot miss. Note the habit and the form of the plant, which can be pruned to highlight arching habit. Enjoy several other Prunus</em> species in bloom as you stroll through the Japanese Garden</strong>. </p> Pulsatilla vulgaris</em></a></h3> Hairy flower stems emerge from the ground in spring and simultaneously purple flowers bloom as foliage begins to emerge and form. This plant, also known as Pasque flower, spreads by seed and will naturalize throughout the garden. There are many specimens to see as you stroll through the Rock Alpine Garden</strong>.</p>
The City Nature Challenge</a> 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. To participate, people make observations of any organism – plant, animal, insect and more – on iNaturalist</a> for a few days in late April to early May. This is followed by a short identification phase – where a community of naturalists work on identifying all species observed. The biodiversity data crowd-sourced through iNaturalist contributes important information to scientists and land managers. </p> In the Denver-Boulder metro area, more than 9,714 observations were submitted by 764 people of 1,260 species! We nearly doubled our number of observations and observers compared to 2024, and we broke our previous record in 2020 of ~7,000. This year, our most observed species was Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana</em>). Fun species observed included a silver fox</a>, long-eared owl</a>, Abert’s squirrel</a>, bobcat</a>, prairie violet</a>, beaver</a>, black-crowned night heron</a>, little brown bat</a>, American mink</a>, elk</a>, moose</a>, Northern Harrier</a> and black bear</a>. We even had 145 research-grade observations of 26 species</a> that are listed as rare, endangered, or threatened by NatureServe or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (over twice as many as last year). </p> For 2025’s global challenge, there were 3.3 million observations of almost 74,000 species made by 103,000 people from over 62 countries around the world. This brings the total number of observations made during the past 10 years to almost 13 million! The leading city for numbers of observations, species, and observers was La Paz, Bolivia. </p> Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s City Nature Challenge. We are looking forward to participating with you next year.</p> Shout out to the winners of the Denver-Boulder City Nature Challenge:</strong>Most observations: @Phyllisholst with 405 observations of 150 speciesMost identifications: @Andershastings with 2,265 observations </p>
Why water your garden in the winter?</h4> Colorado winters can vary dramatically when it comes to snowfall and precipitation totals. In the Mile High City and its surrounding suburban communities, any snow accumulation lasting longer than a few days is rare and drought conditions are the norm. Because of this, urban gardens can often suffer from winter drought conditions causing long term challenges especially for newly planted trees and shrubs. </p> Although many perennial plants shed their leaves and go into dormancy during winter months, they are still very much alive and their root systems, buds and stems continue to grow. When there is insufficient moisture, this stresses the plant and inhibits essential metabolic processes from occurring properly. Examples of this include winter kill in lawns and perennial plants not reemerging in spring as the ground thaws. Drought stress can also be seen in trees and shrubs for several years after the drought occurs since it can affect growth rate, leaf production and overall vigor. Drought stress can also make plants more susceptible to disease and insect damage. </p> Best methods for winter watering:</h4> Winter watering should be done 1-2 times per month from late fall into early spring and should be conducted on warm days when temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the soil is thawed. It should be done using a hose and watering wand or attachable sprinkler around midday allowing enough time for the water to infiltrate the soil before freezing. Placing several empty cups in the garden and watering until each cup has accumulated half an inch to one inch of moisture will ensure that you have adequately watered the soil around the roots of your plants. Using a deep root waterer is also a great way to water trees and shrubs. Once finished, hoses should be removed from the faucet spigot and stored to prevent freeze damage to water pipes, hoses and watering wand attachments. </p> What plants in the garden need to be watered in winter?</h4> Plants that should be watered through the winter months include deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs and groundcovers as well as perennial flowering plants. Newly planted trees and shrubs are the most crucial as this supplemental watering will allow them to establish more quickly and help them reach their maximum potential growth the following spring and summer. Evergreens are prone to winter desiccation, a process in which more water is lost through the foliage than is absorbed through the roots of the plant, resulting in yellowing or browning of the foliage. It is not necessary to water xeric plants such as cacti, succulents and many drought tolerant native plants as consistently throughout the winter as these plants are well suited for experiencing long periods of drought without detrimental long-term effects.</p>
Denver Botanic Gardens is more than just a place for peace, respite and beauty; it is a scientific institution. Between our Horticulture and Research & Conservation departments, we are home to more than two dozen women scientists. As we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science today, we want to acknowledge the passion, leadership and dedication of our scientists. </p> I asked my colleagues how they see themselves as women in science, what role they think they may play in training the next generation of scientists and where they received their own training. Our backgrounds and expertise are as varied as the plants in our gardens. There is not one way to describe a scientist. Some of us have been in our career for decades whereas others are still in training. Most of us followed a fairly traditional educational path involving an undergraduate degree followed by graduate school, but some of us arrived at the Gardens after careers in other industries or after discovering a love of plants through life experiences. </p> One thing we all have in common is a love of observation and asking questions. Inquiry and creativity are, after all, at the heart of all scientific endeavors. We wouldn’t have the knowledge to identify a plant on a hike or grow plants in the Gardens without constant inquiry and seeking out knowledge. Science is the process of trial and error and learning and growing from those experiences. </p> One thing that many of our scientists commented on is the support networks they have found within their fields and the intense desire to give back to future generations by serving as mentors and supporters of young women and girls with an interest in science. </p> We are lucky to work in an environment where we are supported and respected. Very few of us feel like we are in the minority as women scientists, but we know this is not the case for all women pursuing scientific careers. We take great pride in our role as mentors, teachers and champions of the next generation of women scientists. We can all name a mentor along the way who supported us and showed us that we could be a scientist. It is now our job to continue to provide opportunities for those interested in science, to show them all the different ways someone can be a scientist, and to continue to share our passion and love for plants, fungi and nature with those we are lucky enough to meet along their journey. </p>
The Victorian Era was a time rich in technological advances, steeped in following proper social graces and following many rules in which to act. Courtship was regimented, long and had many watchful eyes on young people at social gatherings where they would hope to find a match. Victorians may have been repressed when it came to dating but were the most romantic when trying to gain the affection of those who caught their eye.</p> Rules of courtship and what was acceptable as romance gave way to the popularity of using flowers as a secret language. Although flowers and herbs had been assigned meanings for centuries, it was Lady Mary Montague, the wife of the English ambassador to Turkey, who was responsible for popularizing the use of flowers as messages in Europe. Lady Mary Montague observed the Turks using flowers to communicate expressions of love and sometimes disdain. Enamored by this practice, she wrote letters to her friends in Great Britain describing this practice. Soon floriography dictionaries with lists of flowers and their meanings were all the rage in the United Kingdom and spread all over Western Europe. </p> Tussie Mussies were small, hand-tied bouquets given by suitors to let the apple of their eye know that they fancied them. The specific flowers and herbs used communicated a perfumed message of love and affection. If the recipient was happy to receive the message, she would hold it close to her heart. If this affection was unwanted, she would hold it down by her side and in some instances, gave a return tussie mussie with specific flowers that meant she was not interested. Even the placement of flowers within the bouquet had significant and intricate meanings. The act of flirting, exchanging desires, or rejecting a suitor could be communicated in a somewhat discrete way in a tussie mussie. After a while, tussie mussies began to gain popularity in Victorian culture as gifts and sentiments to mark special occasions like graduations, weddings or the birth of a new baby.</p> Why not break from the traditional bouquet of red roses? Send your special someone a personalized message of love, desire or admiration by using the floral language of the Victorians. Enlist your florist early to help track down the blossoms for a flirtatious bouquet. During the upcoming growing season, create your own tussie mussie from your home garden to mark celebrations or milestones for the special people in your life. There are many publications and floriography dictionaries available to help you create your floral messages.</p> Victorian Flower Meanings</h4> Anemone- Forsaken Bachelor Button- Single Blessedness Carnation Red- My heart aches for you Carnation Yellow- Rejection Daffodil- Unrequited love Dandelion- Faithfulness; happiness Iris- Your friendship means so much to me Ivy- Wedded love Marigold- Jealousy Pine- Hope Poppy Red- Pleasure Rose Pale Pink- Grace Rose Dark Pink-Thankfulness Spider Flower- Elope with me Zinnia White- Goodness </p> This blog post and photos first appeared as an article in Life on Capitol Hill, February 2021.</em></p>
With this halcyon* spring-like weather, it would be a shame not to let you know that the first of this year’s outdoor floral spectacles is quietly taking place under our noses, so to speak! </p> Not many people would believe you if you told them that thousands of delicate white flowers have been blooming cheerfully through January outside in Denver. There are not one, but three sizeable patches of snowdrops doing just that in the Rock Alpine Garden, two of which can be accessed by the public.</p> </picture> </div> </article> </p> The first patch was established in the 1990s from bulbs discarded from a display in Boettcher Memorial Center. They are a species of snowdrop from western Turkey (Galanthus elwesii</em>) that invariably blooms by the end of January if planted in the right spot—and the patch of woodland to the west and north of the succulent and cactus house in the Rock Alpine Garden is just such a spot.</p> Curator of Alpine Collections Mike Kintgen has divided and spread these into another sizeable patch easily visible along the west end of the path that leads to the Gates Montane, just north and slightly east of the same succulent and cactus house. This one is hard to miss even if you walk quickly through the garden on a circuit of the grounds.</p> Best to see these in the warmth of the afternoon when they open their perianth segments (i.e. sepals) widely. Do look inside the bells—the green markings are quite intriguing; the source of endless fascination among galanthophiles!</p> If you are sufficiently humble, you can lean down and smell the sweet scent of the nodding flowers, which attract quite a few bees and other pollinators that would otherwise have a hard time finding some nectar this time of year.</p> </picture> </div> </article> </p> Snowdrops are primarily found in Greece, Turkey and the Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia and Russia). I brought back seed of eight species on the expedition I was on that went to Georgia in 2018. There are several dozen species—quite a few of which are now in our collections, some starting to bloom in October and November—and most not coming out until February and March.</p> Quite a cult of enthusiastic gardeners pursues these plants, of which hundreds (maybe thousands) of variants have been selected. England and the Atlantic seaboard of the U.S. are the hotbeds of “Galanthophilia”—a real phenomenon, I kid you not. They have frequent gatherings and sales this time of year when weather permits. </p> Enjoy our halcyon moment! Now perhaps you, too, will become a galanthophile.</p> </picture> </div> </article> </p> *Halcyon is defined as “a mythical bird said by ancient Greek writers to breed in a nest floating at sea at the winter solstice, charming the wind and waves into calm.” Since I’ve become something of an Ancient Greek, it’s only appropriate for me to use this word, don’t you agree? I’m not the first to use it for these mild days in midwinter.</p>
