Sunday, April 1, 2012

Highlights of Denver Botanic Gardens

Aside from the Water Saving Garden, I discovered so many other wonderful areas and plants in Denver Botanic Gardens that I thought I'd produce a predominantly photo post to share this fabulous place with you.

Firstly, the Oak Grove, a shady area of quercus planting and woodland paths. A welcome respite from the strong sun on the day we visited.


Some familiar plants were blooming beneath the tree canopy here, emerging from the leaf litter - crocus and white squill.







The potager – a french-style vegetable and flower garden – is under redevelopment and so many of the beds were empty but the shape and flow of the beds and paths really inspired me. And I loved the central gazebo and box topiary at the corners of the beds.




Raised beds around a decked seating area were filled with spring bedding plants in full flower, all straining their heads to the sun.





The beautifully ornate entrance to the Birds and Bees Walk - a section dedicated to flowering and fruiting plants that provide food for our feathered and winged friends.







A range of apricot trees in and around the Scripture Garden were in full blossom and contrasted wonderfully with the azure blue sky.








And on the way out, we headed one floor up above the Offshoots Cafe to see the Green Roof Garden. Developed as a visitor garden as well as an ongoing research garden, this will be studied to determine the effects of the various weather conditions of the area (hot dry summer, cold dry winter, intense radiation and parching winds).





6 comments:

  1. The apricot tree in full bloom look like painting! Such a lovely botanic garden!

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    1. The apricot blossom was just wonderful - and the perfectly blue sky provided just the right backdrop.

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  2. Some of those crocus flowers are just stunning. And the structure of the potager is great. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Crocuses make such good photographic subjects. I could have spent hours just on those.

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  3. The blossoms are stunning aren't they? I love botanic gardens - I find they tend to represent places fairly accurately. Lovely botanic gardens = lovely city - well usually anyway...

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  4. The botanic garden was incredibly well run - very tidy and well maintained with volunteer guides walking around to help out with any questions.

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