Half way 'round Denver Botanic Gardens August 30, 2015

Caesalpinia gilliesii

 I've really not had a good walk around our York Street gardens for over two months (between traveling and recovering from traveling). Yesterday (after my budget meeting with the boss) I decided it was time to take a stroll. I got through little more than half of the Gardens (a lot less than that if you factor in the Children's garden, the Greenhouses and Conservatory--and let's not even talk about Chatfield and Mt. Goliath!)...I was charmed by the variety of plants and the wonderful design. I hope you will be too! Oh yes: the Bird of Paradise Shrub made it fine through the last two hideous winters!

Caesalpinia gilliesii

 A view of our largest specimen outside the Bistro.

The O'Fallon Border is exquisite right now...

The first Michaelmas asters are kicking in

The mix of yellow and pink reminds me of the Drakensberg--a common combo there.

Common, I know: but Rudbeckia triloba looks so good here!

Isn't THIS a cool combo of Pennisetum and Rhus?

Quite the transformation: the first year for the new El Pomar beds--I like the look...

Holloway doing his magic...

One of the many Deborah Buttefield horses on the grounds

 Our sculpture exhibit this year is polar opposite of Chihuly: subtle and understated: they seem to complement the garden rather than compete with it...I always want to touch these and see if they're really made of bronze. But I don't (being a good citizen!)...OK. Maybe once.

The Schlessman Plaza is always alluring...

This clematis has bloomed for months.

Fragrance garden vista.

I was delighted this Agapanthus came through our "Polar Vortex" winter so well.

I love the echo of the Chihuly in the dahlia in front.

Impatiens balfourii conquering the world (or a piece of the world)

Impatiens bicolor doing its imperialistic thing...

Impatiens bicolor

Melinis nerviglume  South African plaza

South African plaza

South African plaza

South African plaza crevice garden with annuals and ice plants.

South African plaza abutting Plains garden

Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)

Desert spoon (Dasylirion texanum) in Dryland Mesa

Plains garden

Liatris punctata not blooming very figorously: too dry the last two months?

Stipa in the Rock Alpine Garden

Origanum 'Kent Beauty'

Bevy of Pelargoniums around rock garden work area....

Lainie's cutting garden

Soon to be transformed rose garden

Lainie's cutting garden

Part of the Promenade (that's what I call the long pathway in front of the Orangery)

There has been a steady crowd of people in front of "Stinkie"--Amorphophallus titanum, here they are watching a video of the plant's transformations: it has attracted tens of thousands of additional visitors over the last month, and the interest has not yet been slaked.

The rain was coming down heavily, and my tour had to end...maybe if you ask I'll take another walk today and finish it?