The amazingly diverse kingdom of Fungi has recently gained increased attention from the world of bioscience, nature lovers and citizen scientists. Because of brilliant new technologies developed in the last decades to differentiate, understand genetically and clarify the roles fungi play within the habitats in which they are found, we are becoming so much more aware of the absolutely essential role of fungi. </p> There is a mantra circulating among the citizen science world that helps us remember the importance of fungi: </p> No fungi? No plants. No plants? No animals. No animals? No us.</p> Yes, the entire planet as we know it is absolutely dependent upon fungi! Some fungi live in a mutually beneficial relationship with trees and other plants, sharing nutrients and protection. Forever adaptable, some fungi, on the other hand, are pathogens in our forests and other natural areas. Some are recyclers, breaking down woody debris, dead grasses and natural waste to be used as food for other organisms again and again. </p> And to think, a few decades ago, fungi were not even given their own kingdom – they were just included with plants. We have certainly learned a lot since then, most importantly that fungi are more closely related to us than they are to plants!</p> Around the same time that science began to differentiate fungi from plants, Dr. Sam Mitchel, a medical internist in Denver, became fascinated with the mushrooms that he and his family found in the mountains of Eagle County. Sam began a collection of mushrooms in order to understand what was growing in our natural regions. He eventually brought his pioneering fungal herbarium to Denver Botanic Gardens in the early 1960s. The rest is history! Today, we collect fungi throughout the seasons – recording, studying and preserving fungal specimens from the Rocky Mountain Region in the Sam Mitchel Herbarium of Fungi</a>, now housed in the Freyer – Newman Center for Science, Art and Education</a>. </p> Each mushroom collecting season is a different one, as anyone would attest watching the various kinds of weather, storms and spells of drought-like conditions we have experienced this year. Whatever the weather, we collect the fungal fruitings, generally known as mushrooms, in various habitats among their plant partners from high mountain areas down to the prairies in our beautiful diverse regions. Because of our dry season this year in Colorado, we found relatively few fungi, but in a few cases some unusual ones. A diverse sampling of those common or quite unusual fungi are pictured here. Each is currently being processed into the herbarium. </p>
There is something about breathing in the cool, crisp air of late September mornings, wearing light sweaters, sipping on warm, seasonal drinks and enjoying the gentle, warm colors of reds, yellows and oranges that make autumn my favorite time of year. Among the many wonderful perks of the season, it is also the perfect opportunity to make perennial additions to your garden.</p> If adding to your gardens in the fall before the first frost intimidates you, don’t let it – there are a surprising number of benefits to planting perennials this time of year.</p> </picture> </div> </article> Cooler Air Temperatures of Autumn Are Easy-Going for Both Gardener and Garden</strong></p> By the time autumn comes, the temperatures have dipped down from the oftentimes scalding heat of late spring/summer. This can be pleasant for you, the gardener, and the plants, as these mild temperatures will allow them adequate time to establish without high temperature stress. Not to mention you will likely bypass the nasty hailstorms of spring that can damage your young plants…and your determination. </p> Soil Temperatures Still Warm for Healthy Roots</strong></p> As we know in Colorado, the weather can be rather sporadic; we can be enjoying a pleasant 75-degrees one day, then get blasted with a snowstorm the next. It happens every year, but again, don’t let Colorado’s intense weather fluxes intimidate you. Despite our intermittent weather, often enough the soil is still warm from summer to allow roots to establish. Also, there is no need to worry too much about above-ground frost. Although the frost will stop the growth of the plant above ground, it will not necessarily kill the plant…roots will continue to grow and should be able to establish properly before the soil freezes solid, no matter what is happening with the air temperature. </p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> Planting in Fall Helps the Gardener Plan for the Next Growing Season</strong></p> At this point in the year, observations of the past season are still visible. Were there empty patches in your garden that can be filled next year? Is there a place that could use seasonal interest, or want to add a specific texture? You may be able to better visualize these types of considerable changes before you cut plants back and forget by the time spring comes.</p> These are only a few of numerous benefits to fall plantings. I like to plant woody plants (though they may need winter watering if we don't have consistent snow cover, especially evergreens, to keep needles/leaves from desiccating during establishment*) and good-sized herbaceous perennials in the fall, usually in bare root form (i.e. cleaning off all the soil from the roots before planting). Ornamental grasses, native perennials and bulbs</span></span> – pretty much anything you can currently find at your local garden center should be good for planting, and you might get a great deal as they don’t want to overwinter the plants in pots!* </span></span></p> Don’t forget that these plants have just finished a growing cycle, and although they may look a little bushed as you plant, they should come back looking great come spring. Giving them this extra time to establish will ensure larger, healthier plants next spring and summer. Whatever you decide to add this fall, I guarantee you will see sweet luscious success in the next growing season!</p> This blog post and photos first appeared as an article by Denver Botanic Gardens Horticulturist, Greenhouse Production, Brooke Palmer in Life on Capitol Hill, September 2020.</em></p> *Additional information provided by Associate Director of Horticulture Cindy Newlander.</em></p>
Have you met Digger the Marmot? As the mascot for Mordecai Children’s Garden at Denver Botanic Gardens, he’s always ready for adventure—and even though the Children’s Garden is currently closed, he’s ready to take you on the Diversity of Life Expedition</a> in the main Gardens, supported by Xcel Energy</a>. </p> But time is running out! The Expedition closes on October 31. </strong>Now’s the time to enjoy these beautiful autumn days at the Gardens and see if you and your little explorers can find all eight signs. </p> Co-created by Denver Botanic Gardens and Xcel Energy, two of Denver’s leading voices in sustainability, the Diversity of Life Expedition is a fun, interactive outdoor activity for all ages. </p> As you work your way through the Gardens on York Street, look for Digger’s signs to “crack the code” for taking care of our planet and saving money on energy bills.</p> Xcel Energy, a long-time partner of the Gardens and innovator in sustainability, has a big vision to provide carbon-free electricity by 2050. To do that, everyone in the community must come together to help. Activities like the Diversity of Life Expedition help build awareness about the steps to reduce energy use at home. That’s how – together – we’ll create a carbon-free future! </p> </picture> </div> </article>
After months of planning, scheduling and installing, the new art galleries in the Freyer – Newman Center are opening Saturday, Sept. 26 with four shows! Two are from local Colorado artists, one displays the talents of students and instructors from the School of Botanical Art & Illustration, and another showcases some staff-favorite oddities from the Gardens’ collections. </p> Art Galleries Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily, starting Sept. 26</strong> Included with Admission</p> Get Tickets and Member Reservations</a></p> </p> Ghost Forest</em></a> by Melanie Walker evokes the experience of wandering through an aspen forest. Her works on fabric stretch up to the ceiling like trees or drift across the walls like falling leaves, offering a space to reflect on the memories that connect us to wild places. </p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> Koko Bayer is a Denver-based artist whose work focuses mostly on outdoor installations of printed images. Pink Lemonade Hope</a></em> is part of Bayer’s “Project Spread Hope”—a series of installations created in response to the COVID-19 crisis as a reminder of the power of optimism. Bayer uses her distinctive “pink lemonade” palette of magenta and bright yellow to reinforce her message through an aesthetic that’s warm and uplifting. </p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> In honor of its 40th anniversary, Denver Botanic Gardens’ School of Botanical Art and Illustration highlights gardens as places of sanctuary and renewal through a special juried exhibition of works created by the school’s students and graduates. The Garden & Haven</em></a> exhibition celebrates the capacity of the natural world to remind us that even through times of sadness and fear, the cycle of renewal will always continue. </p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> From the Vault</em></a> presents some of the most interesting and unique objects in the Gardens’ collections, most exhibited for the first time. The exhibition includes paintings, rare books, dried fungi, tools from Hildebrand Ranch and a whole host of other objects of artistic, scientific and historical value. </p> </picture> </div> </div> </article> </p> The exhibits team is excited to welcome everyone to the first shows in our brand-new galleries. We can’t wait for you all to come enjoy, relax and marvel at another facet of our wonderful Gardens!</p>
There’s a saying in Colorado that if you dislike the weather, just wait five minutes—odds are, it will change. While Colorado’s climate is always exciting, it can make for difficult gardening situations and challenging planning. Since the Front Range receives most of its snow after spring-blooming bulbs have already blossomed, gardens featuring these plants can be particularly challenging.</p> With hundreds of varieties of those bulbs on sale at our upcoming Fall Plant & Bulb Sale, we reached out to Sonya Anderson, horticulture specialist - Plant Select® & Pollinator Gardens, for some advice and tips on growing an exceptional garden in the Front Range.</p> </picture> </div> </article> When we experience an extreme change in weather, such as the freeze earlier this September, should we expect to lose more plants in our gardens?</strong></p> Yes and no.</p> Yes, because gardening is an art as much as a science, and there are no guarantees in the first place. Some plants in our gardens are not suited for the Front Range, and an early freeze will often or always impact them; however, when extreme weather is thrown into the mix, even the most reliable plants can also suffer.</p> No, because we can often look for room for improvement in our plant choices. For example, we’ve seen some of the plants we love perform poorly in the Front Range even during expected weather conditions. If it’s challenged by our “normal” weather, its chances won’t improve when the weather gets extreme. </p> With Fall Plant & Bulb Sale approaching soon, what are some bulbs being offered that are especially suited for Front Range gardens?</strong></p> Species tulips, which are basically wild tulips. Many wild tulips originated in Central Asia in a climate like that in the Front Range: higher elevation, hot summers, cold winters and dry. In a nutshell, they are ideal for our gardens. Tulips such as Greigii tulips (Tulipa greigii</em>), Emperor tulips (Tulipa fosteriana</em>) and waterlily tulips (Tulipa kaufmanniana</em>) all hold up well and will come back year after year.</p> Darwin hybrid tulips, which are a cross between single late tulips and early emperor tulips. With their large colorful flowers and classic tulip shape, they hold up well in the spring weather. Just be sure to plant them in full sun with well-drained soil so they won’t be too wet in the summer.</p> Finally, this year we’re offering pre-made, themed bulb collections with some of our favorite and best-performing bulbs. Some of the themes include: Pollinators, North American Natives and Staff Favorites. These are sure to give your garden the lively pop of color for the spring season.</p> This year, Fall Plant & Bulb Sale has moved online. The online store will be open September 25-27 with in-person pickup taking place October 1-3. Be sure to place your order for your favorite bulbs before they all sell out, and get a head start on your spring garden!</p> </p>
