Denver Botanic Gardens: Four Years Later

Randee, Grace, and Kelly at the Denver Botanic Gardens

My first visit to the Denver Botanic Gardens was in 2010. I was so impressed by this gorgeous garden in the heart of the city!  My previous blog post about the Denver Botanic Gardens was full of photos of their stunning grass garden and the naturalistic plantings.  This past June, I was able to visit again for the American Public Gardens Association's annual conference.  All I have to say is WOW, they have really stepped up their display!

Dry stream bed at the entrance to the DBG

Mordecai Children's Garden

Mordecai Children's Garden

Formal design in the Herb Garden

Fence bordering the Herb Garden

The different textures of the foliage next to the arrangement of pebbles in the path create movement through the June's PlantAsia garden

We visited at the start of their Chihuly exhibit, which runs from June 14-November 30th, 2014.  Dale Chihuly is a glass artist who has exhibited at many gardens around the world.  Placed within the planting beds, many of his sculptures replicate plants in shape and color, while others are a stark contrast with bright colors, hard lines, and even polka dots.  I left the Gardens with so many great ideas about art in the garden, new uses of interesting plant material, and dreams of rock gardening in the south.

Wispy tiger-striped glass contrasts with pinks and yellows in the O'Fallon Perennial Walk

I love the way the bright blue glass in "Blue Fiddleheads" picks up the silvery blue of the blue spruce (Picea pungens 'Montgomery') in the O'Fallon Perennial Walk

Rock Alpine Garden with "Neodymium Reeds"

"Green Hornets and Gold Waterdrops" in the foreground and "Neodymium Reeds"in the background

Later in the week, we visited the Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.  This branch location of DBG is a working farm with nature trails, a butterfly house, a community supported agriculture (CSA) operation, and rental facilities.  It was a fun-filled evening complete with hayrides, swing dancing, and enjoying the tranquil beauty of the preserved site.  This piece of land really is a gem and it is so wonderful that DBG has saved it from being developed.

Green Farm Barn at DBG's Chatfield

Main building at DBG's Chatfield

 

 

Seasonal indoor butterfly exhibit DBG's Chatfield