Denver Botanic Gardens

Xeriscaping Plants in the Right Place

In the main garden located in an old cemetery on York Street between east 9th and 11th avenues an oasis of natural wonders surrounds over 45 stunning gardens.

A mile high, Denver Botanic Gardens has been a favorite Denver destination for more than 55 years and is recognized as one of the top ten gardens in the Western United States.

Denver Botanic Gardens is also renowned for its cutting-edge research and conservation efforts. In light of continuing drought issues throughout Colorado and the nation, the Gardens has emerged as a resource on Water-Smart Gardening and tips on drought tolerant horticulture. Among other things, these particular gardens offer some unique attractions – especially for those gardeners interested in xeriscaping, drought tolerant plants, and xeric garden wildlife:

Anna’s Overlook is a contemplative place to view the landscape in several directions. Its gently sloping sides create a visual contrast with the sunken space of the Amphitheater nearby.

The pyramid's slopes feature buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), native grasses that thrive on less water than traditional Kentucky bluegrass.

On the east side are additional water-wise plants, including ice plant (Delosperma), a colorful and popular succulent ground cover.

Birds and Bees Walk

Organized as a living storybook, the Birds and Bees Walk is a secluded woodland path with interpretive panels that immerse visitors in the exciting world of pollination.

The wooded garden is filled with trees, shrubs and plants specifically chosen to attract birds, pollinators and other fauna. Keep a watchful eye as you stroll along this quiet path - you could see bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, or hawk moths.

Dryland Mesa

This elevated garden replicates a mesa, a flat-topped natural elevation in the desert.

Dryland Mesa was the first public garden to portray the concept of using drought-tolerant native plants in landscaping. It requires no supplementary watering except during extreme drought. It also serves as a test site for many uncommon southwestern native plants.

A superb place to begin a leisurely stroll through the Gardens, the Perennial Walk is a traditional version of a European perennial border lush with flowers packed closely together to create a rich and interesting array of colors, heights, shapes and textures.

Take note of new and interesting design techniques and plant ideas for home gardens. The observant visitor will see several water-smart plants woven effectively into the tapestry of plants along this walkway.

Rock Alpine Garden

This garden is internationally acclaimed as a premier example of the art of rock gardening. Constructed with more than 500 tons of rock, this garden provides habitats similar to more than a dozen different high altitude environments.

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.

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.

Flower colors and plant textures are skillfully combined to yield a sophisticated informality that characterizes the West. This garden is truly water-smart and a great educational tool on plant selection to conserve water in your our gardens.

Wildflower Treasures

An open plaza of flagstone provides a sun-drenched setting for several intimate displays of Colorado's native wildflowers.

Container troughs showcase rare and endangered species that represent the native flora of many Colorado counties. Each trough is dedicated to a different mountain, plateau or region incorporating rocks from that particular region in each exhibit.

Collections of Penstemon, Eriogonum, Liatris and Gaillardia are among the many native plants displayed.

Yuccarama

Yuccarama features yuccas and other members of the Agavaceae family. These woody relatives of lilies conserve water in their roots and stems making them an excellent choice for water-smart landscaping.

To extend the experience of Denver Botanic Gardens beyond the boundaries of the capital city, we operate two additional sites: Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield (an affiliate of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center) and the M. Walter Pesman Trail on Mount 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 historical 19th century farms. The preserve provides a valuable environment for education, plant research and conservation efforts, as well as nature walks and bird watching.

On Mount Goliath, Denver Botanic Gardens 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. Located 55 miles west of Denver on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway, Mount Goliath is a memorable experience that reminds visitors of the beauty and grandeur of nature.

If you're fortunate enough to visit this spectacular garden, why not tell me about it?

Do you have a favorite Xeric Garden?

Botanic gardens, your own xeric garden project, the neighbors house down the street with its superb xeriscaping, or even a public building with great dry landscaping ideas - we want to know about it.

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