The Denver Botanic Gardens

The altitude in the mile-high city isn't the only thing that will take your breath away – the 45 themed gardens of this fabulous public garden will do the same. Considered one of the nation's top five botanical gardens, this urban oasis among residential neighborhoods includes more than 17,000 plant species from around the globe. The mission of Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG) is to connect people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region, and similar regions around the world.

The Gardens began in 1951on 100 acres in City Park, but in 1958 moved to its current location on York Street, transforming an old cemetery into a stunning display of plants and landscape design in a unique high altitude climate and geography, showcasing drought-tolerant native and other plants that thrive in Western gardens. Here the time honored traditions of European horticulture merge with a dynamic diversity of plants (in 2,290 genera and 262 families) and design that represent the best in horticultural achievement. The 45 gardens contain collections of plants from more than 30 countries around the world with high altitude climates similar to Colorado's.

Not only is DBG an unforgettable garden experience for the whole family, it is also a living laboratory for education and plant conservation programs. Thousands of students students participate annually in educational programs. The Herbarium has the most complete and diverse collection of mushrooms housed anywhere in the Rocky Mountain region, with 20,680 specimens. The Research Department is currently working to identify and document every flowering plant in Rocky Mountain National Park. Staff will be reintroducing and establishing a population of a rare Prairie Gentian that once flourished in the Rocky Mountains.  DBG, Colorado State University and Colorado landscape and nursery professionals work together on PlantSelect®, a program designed to discover and distribute the very best plants for Rocky Mountain gardeners.

Covering 23 acres, both indoor and outdoor gardens display plants native to the desert, plains, mountain foothills, and alpine zones. Various gardens transport guests around the globe through horticulture. There's a traditional Japanese garden, herb garden, home-demonstration garden, water garden, fragrance garden, and a garden inspired by the art of Monet. Western Panoramas, Sacred Earth and the Heirloom Garden areas focus on regional themes. The Roads Water-Smart Garden, Dryland Mesa and the Laura Smith Porter Plains Garden provide drought-tolerant gardening models. The different types of gardens flow into each other via pathways and bridges; meandering streams connect many of these areas.

In alphabetical order, here are many of the different gardens that comprise the Denver Botanic Garden:

Amphitheater Borders

The three habitat borders surrounding the amphitheater are among the world's largest composed of Colorado native plants. Here at the heart of the DBG, the borders celebrate the diverse palette of wild species. The Ponderosa Border includes ponderosa pines and their accompanying flora that grow from the foothills to the lower montane region. In the Cottonwood Border, Colorado's largest native deciduous tree rises above a diverse habitat of grasses and wildflowers. The cottonwood leaf was chosen as a motif in the signs throughout the Gardens to represent the native landscape that provides inspiration for the garden's designs. Choice rock and perennials have been placed in the Bristlecone Border to simulate the alpine environment where the architectural evergreen known as the bristlecone pine naturally grows (elevation of about 10,000 ft.).

Birds and Bees Walk

A beautiful garden that showcases the world of pollinators and their importance to our environment, this garden is designed as a living storybook with interpretive panels placed throughout an interactive woodland path to immerse visitors in the exciting world of pollination. Each flower was meticulously chosen to attract different types of pollinators. While bees and butterflies are the main focus of this garden, the giant hyssop (Agastache rupestris) and creeping red penstemon (Penstemon pinnafolius) attracts hummingbirds and the night blooming Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) attracts hawkmoths. Pollinators with keen senses of smell pollinate the wonderfully fragrant flowers throughout the garden, including woodlily (Lilium philadephicum), Fritillaria and daffodils.

Children's Secret Path

Fun, challenging and educational, the Children's Secret Path, which features hidden pathways, pick-and-plant areas and an innovative new Musical Playscape, provides opportunities to interact with plants and the natural world. Children will encounter a maze through shrubs, a tepee, garden beds just their size for picking and planting, fallen logs to climb, a pizza garden, a giant sandbox and other made-to-order surprises. In the summer season, children delight in Story Time on the hidden path as they listen to a variety of tales and then engage in various activities that coincide with the stories in the shade of Russian olive trees (Elaeagnus angulstifolia). At the heart of the garden is a musical playscape, where you can experiment with musical sounds courtesy of an amandinda (African xylophone), a rain wheel and a friendly alligator drum. The Continuing Education Department also offers school programs for students to learn about plant science, study how worms take care of the soil, and even plant a garden of their own.

Cloud Forest Tree

This newest exhibit at the Gardens showcases thousands of beautiful, sweet-scented orchids and other rare plants that have never been seen by visitors before. Coined as a "living sculpture", the gigantic 20 by 40 foot tree is formed not of roots and wood, but steel, foam and plastic. Actual cork bark covers the entire tree, which supports hundreds of blooming orchids and other epiphytes (plants that grow on other plants, but are not parasites). Many of the nearly 800 species of orchids, in close to 200 genera, grow directly on the bark, as they would be found in nature. The term "cloud forest" refers to high, moist areas in Southeast Asia, Africa and Central and South America. Half-hidden by low hanging clouds, trees compete for space in the lush, tangled vegetation of the tropical cloud forest. Mossy, wet branches can be covered with an exotic array of plants and animals, including orchids. The Cloud Forest Tree includes cloud forest inhabitants, as well as plants from drier locations at lower altitudes and man-made hybrids.

Cutting Garden

Afraid to pick flowers from your pristine borders? Satisfy your flower-arranging needs by planting a garden of annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs and ornamental grasses that beg to be picked for fresh and dried flower arranging. Designed with the spectrum of the rainbow in mind, each plot offers a wide selection of tints, shades, textures and shapes of a particular color. Volunteers combine plants from the plots to create masterpieces that are frequently on display in our lobby.

Down Under

Plants of Australia and New Zealand are given free reign in Down Under. This summer attraction showcases exotic plants that enjoy our warm and sunny climate. Dramatic forms of foliage and interesting flowers fill containers on display from May through September.

Drop Dead Red Border

From the deep, dark tones of burgundy to blazing scarlet or screaming orange, the intrigue of monochromatic color design grabs the eye and dazzles. The Drop-Dead Red border celebrates red in a big way and borders the sidewalk along the main waterlily pond.

Dryland Mesa

The beauty of the low-growing rosette and thread leaf may be subtle to some, but the ingenuity of nature should not be missed by anyone. Most of the plants in this garden have silvery or hairy foliage, reduced leaf size and/or succulent leaves or spines. These are water-conserving adaptations commonly found on plants native to dry climates. The original name of this garden was the Xeriscape Garden. It was changed because too often people mishear the "xeri" as "zero" and think that either means zero plant material or zero water use. While no supplemental irrigation is provided to this garden, people need to understand that all plants need water to survive.

Flytrap Feast

The world of carnivorous plants is intriguing to both children and adults. Flytrap Feast displays these ingenious plants outdoors in a myriad of container plantings. This garden features Venus fly-trap and pitcher plants.

French Kitchen Garden

Artistic garden design and agriculture combine for a culinary masterpiece of vegetables, herbs and flowers in this beautiful edible garden. Edible flowers like pansies, pinks and nasturtiums intermingle with kale, chard and lettuce. Pots of topiary herbs, old-fashioned features of forcing jars, cloches, and watering cans and a vine covered trellis evoke the romance of Old World gardens of the French countryside.

Gates Montane Garden

The first outdoor garden planted at the York Street site (1961), the Gates Montane Garden is a testament to the initial commitment of Denver Botanic Gardens to showcase the native flora. The plants were chosen to reflect benefactor Charles C. Gates' summer property in Bear Creek Canyon near Golden, Colorado. S. R. DeBoer, famous for many of the elegant parks and boulevards in Denver, was the designer. Now at maturity, the garden evokes a walk through the montane regions of Colorado, the forested ecosystem found at altitudes from 8,000 to 10,000 feet.

Herb & Knot Gardens

This garden stems from the practice of European monks of the Middle Ages who cultivated culinary and medieval plants in segregated plots. Within their cloistered walls, they jealously guarded their knowledge as an activity for the elite. We continue the practice of growing herbs in this traditional manner in this garden. Herbs planted in rows that seem to intertwine in a knot patter were popular during the Elizabethan era in England, around 1550. The statue "The Boy and a Frog" was sculpted in 1898 by Elsie Ward Hering, and artist who grew up in Denver.

Heirloom Garden

This garden pays tribute to early plant pioneers and to the land where they lived. The garden design plays with the purple that characterizes the lilac collection and its complementary color, yellow. Two colors common in the native landscape – silver and white – complete the scheme. The use of textural plants such as artemisia and yucca darken the dramatic native landscape.

Japanese Garden

Shofu-en, meaning the Garden of Wind and Pines, evokes a sense of tranquility. In this 2-acre garden designed by Kawana Koichi and dedicated in August 1978, water, rock and plants combine in an artistic style that symbolizes our harmonious relationship with nature. A walking path meanders through the garden around a central pond with several points of interest interrupting the walk. Three small islands in the pond represent the usual crane (the largest), tortoise and treasure ship, symbols found in many gardens of this type. Ponderosa pines with twisted and weathered form appear throughout the garden. The pine, an important and symbolic tree in Japanese gardens, signifies longevity and happiness. The authentic teahouse, designed and constructed in Japan, was shipped across the Pacific and reassembled on its present site by skilled Japanese artisans. The garden is screened from the other parts of the botanic garden by scrims of bamboo fencing on the north, west and east sides. The garden has two entrances and the scenes unfold quite differently depending on which direction one takes.

June's PlantAsia

June's PlantAsia captures the fascination and exuberance of the astonishing and threatened flora of the Asian steppe region. This garden showcases over 8,000 exotic and fragrant plants from various Asian countries in a one-acre display. One-third of the garden consists of plants that grow in the semi-arid portions of Central Asia, referred to by geographers and climatologists as "steppe". Other parts of June's PlantAsia feature peonies, bamboos, wild tulips and herbs, as well as Japanese umbrella pines, wild plants collected from Pakistan and voodoo lilies. Experimental cultivars of plants such as jack-in-the-pulpits (Arisaema), lilies and various species of shrubs also grace the garden. A woodland area displays trees such as Himalayan and lacebark pines (Pinus wallichiana, Pinus bungeana) and over a dozen kinds of Asian maples. A stream and pond, a unique hand-made stone path, a wooden seating structure and two intricately designed moon gates add to the exotic ambiance.

Laura Smith Porter Plains Garden

Before parking lots, high-rises and SUV's, Denver resembled this Plains Garden. The grasses and wildflowers possess an inherent beauty that quietly speaks of humankind's duty to celebrate, preserve and recreate the uniqueness of the area.

May Bonfils-Stanton Memorial Rose Garden

The romance and charm of roses is eternal. Beneath the pergola, old-fashioned shrub roses mingle with other heirloom flowers, including foxglove, lamb's ears and lavender. The new breed of tough, dependable pink landscape roses bloom prolifically over an extended period; a treat for both the eyes and nose. Designer Italian pots display standard roses, providing a link to a timeless use of roses.

Mile High Border

This garden welcomes visitors to Denver Botanic Gardens. It is a tapestry of perennials that thrive in unamended soil with minimum irrigation. This garden also blooms throughout the seasons, including great winter interest as well.

Monet Garden

Claude Monet is most famous for his impressionistic paintings of waterlilies and other garden settings, painted in his own garden in Giverny, France. This breathtaking garden recreates the magic and beauty of his Giverny garden, using elements of design and the plants that have become signature motifs, such as the combinations of bulbs, annuals and perennials that reside beneath and around iron hoops draped with vines. The adjacent pool with its rich display of waterlilies, including the gigantic Victoria's, is reminiscent of Monet's beautiful paintings. Be sure to appreciate the reflection of the plants and the clouds in the water – just like Monet did when he created his masterpieces.

O'Fallon Perennial Walk

The best of heirloom and modern varieties of irises and daylilies intermingle with other perennials and bulbs to make this garden interesting throughout the seasons. Purples, blues, golds and oranges are complemented by silver foliage. The colors pink and white take on significant roles, softening the "brassy" look of all those oranges. intriguing textures and beautiful hues year-round, making this local favorite a garden for all seasons. In the west bed toward the north end of the walk is the tall, fringed flower spire of the Asian foxtail lily or desert candle (Eremurus himalaicus). Another tall plant in the west bed, with a broad umbrella-like cluster of pale flowers is NOT recommended for use in home gardens because touching cow parsnip or masterwort (Heracleum sphondylium) can cause photo dermatitis, a skin irritation that gets worse with sunlight.

Rock Alpine Garden

This world-renowned garden is internationally acclaimed as a premier example of the art of rock gardening with its plant breadth and diversity. With more than 500 tons of rock used in its construction, this garden provides habitats similar to more than a dozen different high altitude environments based on slope, soil type, moisture and exposure.

Spring bulbs begin the color display in March, with alpine plants taking the spotlight in May. Plants from monsoonal climates such as the Himalayas, southwestern United States, northern Mexico and the Karoo and Drakensberg of South Africa provide summer color.

The rocks and slopes in this garden provide hundreds of microclimates - different temperature range or sun exposure. A plant on the north side of a rock may survive because the snow doesn't melt, providing an insulating blanket on the coldest days. If planted on the south side, the same plant may perish because its insulation melts away. The opposite may also be true. A south facing plant may be shield from north winds and take advantage of heat stored in the rock. Successful results come from knowing the climate and terrain of a plant's native home, along with trial and error gardening here.

Romantic Gardens

This collection of gardens surrounded by stucco walls is a delightful adventure for the senses. The classic borders of the O'Fallon Perennial Walk lead to the El Pomar Waterway Garden complete with waterfall, pool and blue pots spaced sporadically in the waterway. The Schlessman Plaza showcases a lush profusion of annuals, perennials and overflowing containers in an intimate area with two sheltering pavilions. The Fragrance Garden features a myriad of fragrant and aromatic plants in lush sweeps and drifts, a row of flowering plum trees and a circular pond with waterlilies. The Hildreth Shade Garden emphasizes plants that perform well in shaded areas and dry soils.

Sacred Earth

Inspired by the heritage of American Indians from the Four Corners area, Sacred Earth demonstrates the importance of plants in the lives of American Indians. These plants serve as medicines, building materials, dyes and food in addition to playing significant roles in the spiritual and ceremonial life of American Indian communities. A rustic ramada provides a shady spot to learn about the plants, the people and the cultures of the Southwest.

Scripture Garden

Ancient scriptures of many religions contain references to plants. Many visitors come here just to relax and admire the wondrous plants and innocent sculpture. This secluded and peaceful garden features plants that have stories to tell and an enduring legacy. Many plants noted in literature of Judaic and Christian traditions are spread about, including pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelinii), apricot (Pruneus armeniaca), and fig (Ficus carica). These religions originated in the Fertile Crescent, located east of the Mediterranean in areas that now make up the Middle East. The region includes great topographic diversity (desert, mountian, river valley), which has resulted in an equally impressive botanic diversity. Frost-tender plants, like the date palm and fig, are kept in containers for display outdoors in summer and indoors in winter.

Shady Lane

The Shady Lane beneath the crabapples (Malus spp.)  and Austrian pines (Pinus nigra) on the main east-west walk offers inspiration to homeowners facing the challenge of selecting plants that grow well in shady conditions and flourish in spite of competitive tree roots. The first crabapple trees were planted here as a demonstration in 1976. Under the dappled shade of these venerable trees grow an enormous range of perennials and annuals that perform well in the Denver area. Shady Lane emphasizes plants that create beautiful effects with a diversity of flowers, foliage, form and texture throughout the year. The garden features plants that grow in a variety of shade conditions – from dense to dappled – grouped by similar growing requirements.

South African Plaza

Visitors are often surprised to note that some of their favorite plants that thrive well in Colorado actually come from South Africa (since many areas of southern Africa have a climate similar to Denver's). This garden is a trial garden for many plants from southern Africa: birds-of-paradise, calla lilies, agapanthus, asparagus fern and geraniums are featured in this garden's now famous cobalt blue pots. A beautiful pool and waterfall add to the enigmatic ambiance, and colorful flowers literally overflow the bright pots. The borders of the garden contain plants from South Africa – such as Cape fuchsia (Phygelius spp.), ice plant (Delosperma spp.), gazania, and  red hot poker (Kniphofia spp.) – that are hardy and otherwise grow well in Colorado. Tender plants include kalanchoe, lobelia and geranium (Pelargonium spp.)

Tropical Conservatory

The dome-shaped Tropical Conservatory houses a diverse and beautiful exhibit of plants common to tropical forests from throughout the world. Architects Hornbein and White designed the cast concrete structure and Plexiglass panels of the Boettcher Memorial Conservatory, dedicated in 1966. The functional and distinctive lattice design inspired DBG's logo and is also repeated in the outdoor light fixtures. The interior plantings were renovated in 1997 to feature plants from tropical and semi-tropical regions. Of special interest are bananas (Musa), chocolate (Theoborma cacao) and coffee (Coffea arabica). Colorful orchids and bromeliads share space with a collection of plants used for food, fibers, dyes, building materials, and medicines. A two-story model of a banyon tree includes a staircase that enables visitors to view the tropical forest from within and above the canopy. Thousands of exotic specimens can be observed from winding paths or viewing decks that offer a view into the upper canopy of the tropical forest, complete with tropical mist. The indoor tropical gardens are probably appreciated a bit more in the winter when there is snow on the ground; on my mid-summer visit, the steamy, humid environment wilted rather than inspired me!

Victorian Secret Garden

This garden pays homage to the golden age of plant exploration in the late 1800s in Europe. Exotic species were brought home to the glasshouses, and some made their way outdoors in summertime. The Victorian Secret Garden displays tropicals as they might have been arranged in the glasshouse, rather than outside of it...creating a secret garden. The featured structure is dripping with gorgeous plants of all colors.

Water Gardens

Though located in a semi-arid climate, the Gardens has become one of the world's leaders in aquatic gardening and display of aquatic plants. An extensive waterway system, which meanders throughout the Gardens has become home to an aquatic collection of more than 450 species and varieties. Nearly all of the water pools display water plants during the summer and early fall.

The El Pomar Foundation helped fund the El Pomar Waterway, with its transparent waterfall and stately walls and open paving, which echo the lines of the waterfall's underlying structure. The design refers to the dream-like work of Mexican architect Luis Barragon, who uses horizontal walls and water features to create stark, crisp line. In spring there is an abundance of blue Turkish veronica (Veronica liwanensis) and later in the year colorful ice plants (Delosperma spp.) flow from the containers.

Water-Smart Garden

This garden conveys a sense of regional pride in its selection of plants and design. Plants here come from the semi-arid climate of the West or other areas of the world that have a similar climate to Colorado's. Flower colors and plant textures are skillfully combined to yield a sophisticated informality that characterizes the West. This garden is truly "water-smart" in that plants with similar watering requirements are grouped together. The lower zone is slated for plants requiring the most water, while plants at the top require the least. This is a great educational tool on how to water your own gardens in a water-conserving fashion.

Wildflower Treasures

This garden is another example of a Colorado twist on a European gardening tradition. Trough gardening sprang from the British practice of planting miniature rock gardens in discarded stone sinks. Each of the troughs in the center of the open, sun-drenched plaza of flagstone represents a specific habitat of Colorado. The series of container troughs designed by renowned rock gardener Gwen Kelaidis include many rare and endangered species of the native flora of many Colorado counties. Collections of Penstemon, Eriogonum, Liatris and Gaillardia are among the many native plants displayed. The perimeter plantings are comprised of flora that is native within Colorado and beyond, arranged by cardinal direction.

Woodland Mosaic

This cool retreat, set beneath a canopy of mature birch, aspen, maple, oak and fir trees, offers a host of ideas for gardening in the shade. This garden is a collection of intimate spaces, exhibiting the sheltering effect that plants of the forest provide. Beautiful, low-maintenance shrubs and perennials complement a variety of design elements that include a dry streambed, wood deck, shade structure and containers that feature innovative and exciting combinations of plants.  Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) is a featured tree, as it is drought tolerant and a good choice for Denver.

Yuccarama

This garden borders the entrance to the main building and features yuccas and other members of the family Agavaceae. These woody relatives of lilies conserve water in their roots and stems, making them an excellent choice for water-smart landscaping. Yuccas are revered and used by Native Americans living in arid climates. They have deep taproots that access underground water. The water stored in the root can be drunk, the root itself can be roasted, and the fibers curling from the edge of each spiky leaf make a durable rope and cloth.

To the west of the garden, towering above the yuccas, a weeping Norway spruce (Picea abies) bears cones that remain in place for several years and become quite large. It too is well adapted to an arid or steppe climate, the primary climactic system in Colorado.

There is also a golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata), a native of China, which is one of 20 Colorado Champion Trees registered to the Gardens as the best and/or largest specimen of their kind in the state.

And More ...

And of course, there is also the gift shop that offers gifts, live plants, decorative items and horticultural books and catalogs. Helen Fowler Library contains over 27,000 books, 1,000 current and non-current periodical titles, 800 seed and nursery catalogs and 250 video tapes and CD Roms. There is also an auditorium, and special events are scheduled throughout the year, including a spring book-and-plant sale, Birdhaus Bash, garden concerts in summer, Goblins in the Gardens, and the holiday extravaganza Blossoms of Light.

To extend the experience of Denver Botanic Gardens beyond the boundaries of the capital city, there are two additional sites: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield and the M. Walter Pesman Trail on Mt. Goliath. At Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, a 750-acre native plant and wildlife refuge in Littleton, visitors can discover several distinct ecosystems, as well as two historic 19th century farms. On Mt. Goliath, located 55 miles west of Denver on the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway, DBG teams with the U.S. Forest Service and the Garden Club of Denver to maintain a high altitude trail and interpretive site featuring alpine wildflowers and a 1,500-year-old bristlecone pine forest. It is home to the highest rock alpine garden in the world.