From mid May to mid June there is something extraordinary going on in Denver Colorado.  There’s an Iris “Festival” at Iris 4 U Gardens.  I found this quite by accident.  It was one of those right side of the screen advertisements on one of my regular internet sites.  I don’t usually click on those, but the title was intriguing – something like Denver Iris something with a beautiful picture.  Well, I love to garden and we do have Grandma’s irises in our garden which bring us such joy every year when they bloom – so this little ad called to me.

So, it was one of these spontaneous day trips that we so love to take.  The very next day we took the short trip to Denver and buried in a very regular neighborhood is this amazing garden and it’s HUGE.  The entire garden is dedicated to bearded irises or as I call them  ruffled.  They’re in all sizes and colors and hybrids of all kinds. They stopped me dead in my tracks – OMG!!!  They are so beautiful!

I tried to figure out which colors are my favorites – a fun game at this place!  It will be different for every visitor, but I’m partial to the white/purple/lavender combos.  That’s not to say that the peach/butterscotch ones don’t bring a smile!  There’s something here for everyone who loves flowers to enjoy.

I noticed other photographers and a gentleman painting.  There are plenty of chairs and benches to sit and just enjoy the view.  There are folks around to answer your questions and even Iris Bob, the proprietor, walks the garden and visits with guests.  They offer a catalog as you enter so you can find the name of the iris that you would like to purchase when the time of the season is right for the transplanting.  There’s no store, no trinkets for purchase and no pushy sales.  This is a place to enjoy and if you should like to place an order there is a table with a couple of computers to do just that.  Hey – there’s even a rest room!!

We’ve lived in Colorado for nearly 14 years and this little gem was a surprise.  I love surprises like this!  And, I dare say that we’ll make sure we don’t miss it again next year.

You can find Iris 4 U Garden at 2700 West Amherst Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80236  303-789-4747

It’s been a few months since we last made the trek to Denver to see the Botanical Gardens. In my last post I was telling you about the construction going on there – and it still going on! I venture to guess that it will continue for at least another year – but don’t let that stop you from visiting!!! The flowers are in bloom and gorgeous!

I have a couple of favorite areas that I *have* to visitevery time. It’s called the Lilac Garden, but I always see irises and lilies. This trip was all about the irises. OMG! Still considered  early in the season, I was astonished at the number and variety in bloom. My two favorite shades are the peach/coral and the lavender/purple ones. Those are just *my* favorite colors. The yellow and white are equally magnificent. Then there are those is the darker colors of brown and gold and even black ones (almost, but not quite in bloom). The colors and shades just seem to be endless. I didn’t see any lilies in bloom this trip, but by June there should be a great start to a color bonanza!

My other favorite area is the rose garden, but we were too early for blooms on this trip. I’m always impressed with the plentiful varieties and magnificent colors. I’m hopeful that our next trip will yield both lilies and roses!

Even with construction in many parts of the Gardens ,the walkways are always clean, staff is there to answer questions and noise is at a minimum. Structures are taking shape – the new parking garage and the visitor’s center/entrance are going to be very nice. It will give the whole experience an updated look and feel.

Until next time!

909 York Street,    Denver, Colorado, CO 80206,    General Info:720-865-3500

I love to garden and Doug loves to take pictures.Life doesn’t get much better than this!The Denver Botanical Gardens is rich in variety, sizes, shapes, colors and smells.It is a peaceful place near the hub-bub of a big city.We have gone here for years, but our trip in February 2009 was met with unexpected surprises.

We made plans to go because our membership brochure told us of a forced tulip display (Tulip Mania).They actually take tulips and inside provide the right environment to force blooming is the middle of the winter!This was certainly enough to peak our interest!

When we pulled onto York Street we were stunned to see the amount of new construction going on.The parking lot was all dug up and the entrance was fenced off and yellow construction tape was making pathways to over here and around over to there in order to get in.We get inside and they have huge banner across one wall talking about the project to expand and improve the whole garden.Yikes – we thought it was pretty swell just the way it was – but lo and behold – this place is going to rock when it’s done.New parking, new main building, new science center, updated Japanese Tea Garden, etc., etc.We can’t wait!!!

While there wasn’t much to see outside as Denver in the winter is pretty bleak for gardens and such, the indoors held our attention with the tulips.There were a fair amount already in bloom and you could see many, many more were to bloom in the near future.Doug took some amazing photographs of the insides of the tulips that were so intricate and delicate with such beautiful colors.

Since the outdoor gardens are seasonal, I’m pleased to have learned that the Garden offers programs all year round.They have limited run exhibits, concerts, and plant/bulb sales, a corn maze, pumpkin festival, Christmas Trail of Lights and a lovely gift shop.In addition to all that they offer a multitude of educational classes on a variety of plant and gardening subjects.

If I have to pick a favorite place in the Botanical Gardens I would have to say it is the Tropical Conservatory.It does nothing for my hair and everything for my visual senses.This is a lush tropical indoor garden with gentle mists pumped throughout.It is beautiful year round.There are delicate orchids, a running stream, green leafed whatevers that I can just stare at as time stops for me in this place.I’m not much on the names of the plants; I just enjoy them – immensely.There are name plaques for those who like to associate a leaf with a name.But not me, I’m there for the ambience, for the rich colors, the feeling of peace and those amazing pictures that Doug brings home.

By Cyndy Harrington

View Photos of the Denver Botanical Gardens and other Great Places by

Doug Niedermiller at

http://dougniedermillerphotography.com/