Durango Botanic Gardens Blog

Take a Winter Tour SOIL's Grow Dome

Bill LeMaire — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 19:54:39 GMT

There are no winter doldrums at SOIL's new Grow Dome. On January 20, 4:00pm-5:30pm visit this amazing new faciliti and discover the science that makes year-round growing possible, tour the aquaponics system, and see how we cultivate subtropical plants right here in the mountains. Whether you are an avid gardener or just need a dose of greenery, come thaw out with SOIL Outdoor Learning Lab. It's free, just show up.

Our 2025 Community Impact Report

Bill LeMaire — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:59:26 GMT

In 2025, the Durango Botanic Gardens celebrated 15 years of serving our community through our botanical gardens, educational events, and activities. View our report to learn more about not what happened in 2025 but what's coming in 2026! Click on the image below to read the report.

Bulb Purchases Pickup Dates, Locations

Bill LeMaire — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:59:49 GMT

Thanks again for your bulb purchases during our online sale in August. Bulbs are arriving from Holland soon. We will send further information before they are sorted and packaged for pickup. In the meantime mark your calendars for these pickup locations and dates.

Mark your calendars now for bulb pickup at the following locations:

October 17 Florida Grange 4:00-5:30pm
October 18 Durango Farmer’s Market 9:00am-12:00pm
October 19 Durango Public Library 10:00am-12:00pm
October 25 Durango Farmer’s Market 9:00am-12:00pm

Why Buy Bulbs, Why Now, and Why From the Botanic Gardens?

Bill LeMaire — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 21:02:45 GMT

Bulbs are very likely the best investment you can make in your garden. They work hard, cost little, and provide vibrant colors and seasonal interest. And, they are low maintenance. Here are a few reasons you should consider buying bulbs.

Seasonal Interest

Early Blooms: Bulbs like daffodils and tulips are among the first to bloom in spring, providing a burst of color after winter.
Extended Blooming Period: Different bulbs bloom at various times, allowing for a staggered display of flowers throughout the growing season.

Variety of Colors and Shapes

Diverse Options: Bulbs come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and shapes, enabling you to create unique and visually appealing arrangements.
Mix and Match: You can combine different types of bulbs to create stunning contrasts and harmonies in your garden.

Low Maintenance

Easy to Grow: Most bulbs are relatively easy to plant and require minimal care once established.
Perennial Nature: Many bulbs return year after year, making them a long-term investment for your garden.

Attract Pollinators

Support Wildlife: Bulbs like alliums and hyacinths attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, contributing to a healthy ecosystem in your garden.

Environmental Benefits

Soil Health: Bulbs can help improve soil structure and health, especially when planted in groups, as they can prevent erosion and promote biodiversity.
Natural Pest Control: Some bulbs, like fritillaria, can deter pests due to their strong scents, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

Versatility in Design

Container Gardening: Bulbs can be planted in pots, making them suitable for patios, balconies, and small spaces. OK, some people caution against planting bulbs in containers but some people are very successful at it. Here’s a link to more on that topic.
Layering Techniques: You can plant bulbs in layers, with shorter varieties in the front and taller ones in the back, creating depth and interest in your garden beds.

Seasonal Celebrations

Cut Flowers: Many bulbs produce beautiful blooms that can be cut and brought indoors, adding beauty to your home and allowing you to enjoy your garden's bounty.

By incorporating bulbs into your home garden, you can enjoy a vibrant, low-maintenance landscape that supports local wildlife and enhances your outdoor space.

Want more information and a quick and easy way to buy bulbs? Visit our bulb sale website

DBG Seeks Lead for Youth Garden

Bill LeMaire — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 16:02:42 GMT

In 2023, we dedicated the Literary Garden, where nature, gardens, and some of our favorite authors and literary works come together. It’s a collection of six unique gardens, each representing a different garden theme and a literary genre. One of our most popular garden sections is the Youth Garden.

The Youth Garden is specifically designed, planted, and maintained for children and young people. It is a botanical platform for educational and fun activities throughout the year. Last year, over 250 children visited and participated in events in this garden.

Shirlee Krantz, the Youth Activities Coordinator, works with schools and summer camps to bring kids into the Youth Garden for hands-on activities that teach them about the garden and connect them to nature. She will continue in that role, but we need to support her with a new position that manages the maintenance and care of the garden’s plants and trees. This new position is entitled Youth Garden Lead.

As Lead, your responsibility is to keep the garden growing and looking great. This will include choosing and planting new plants, watering, weeding, and ensuring that the plants remain healthy. A small group of volunteers is available to help with these duties. You will also work with other volunteers at the Durango Botanic Gardens to complete tasks such as the annual plant inventory and suggest youth-oriented books that reflect gardening and nature to include on the Literary Garden website.

This is one of Durango Botanic Gardens' most rewarding volunteer opportunities. Watching kids excitedly visit and learn about the natural world is fun and a great way to give back to the community.

Questions: email us at durangobotanic@gmail or call us at 970-880-4841 to learn more.

Our Community Impact Report for 2024

Bill LeMaire — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 20:41:59 GMT

We love Durango and our all-volunteer organization loves to build and maintain the Durango Botanic Gardens for our community. Download our Community Impact Report to read how we engage with Durango and positively impact the quality of life in our community. Click here for a pdf of the report

Thank you, Lisa Bourey

Bill LeMaire — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 15:59:14 GMT

(Continued from This Week newsletter. Lisa is at the right in the photo below. At the end of this post, see a link to a YouTube video where she demonstrates bare-root planting)

Lisa Bourey’s first experience in horticulture began in seasonal greenhouses, rearranging annuals by complementary colors while attending Fort Lewis College in 1986. As seasonal work became inadequate for making a living, she moved on to work in a number of local greenhouses and nurseries, including the startup and management of Durango Nursery & Supply.

Her emerging skills in design and horticulture led to her winning the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Society of American Foresters in 2006. The award recognized her design efforts and her spearheading an interpretive garden currently being maintained at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Lisa’s passion for gardening education through lectures or her designs and interpretive signs is evident throughout the Durango Botanic Gardens. She is currently assisting us in the design, plant selection, and installation of our new Community Venue Garden.

Lisa’s passion for our gardens and community is reflected in the following quote in our soon-to-be-published history of the Durango Botanic Gardens…

“I love how a large community of landscapers were willing to contribute to the project through donation. I love how the public/library and the community embraced each part of the garden. At the time, I was able to give an enormous amount of energy to the development of these gardens, and I fell in love with them in this process, as well as with the interactions with the community. I discovered the highs and lows of public gardens and found faith in a group of equal-minded people who cherished the gardens and the future of public gardens. I loved engaging the public through the gardens and offering a teaching platform to demonstrate and educate.”

We appreciate Lisa's service to the Durango Botanic Gardens and our horticultural community. Her dedication and passion have left an indelible mark on our gardens, inspiring us all to continue her legacy. View this link to a YouTube video on Lisa illustrating bare-root planting

Bare-Root Planting

Our Docents Attend the 2024 Plant Select Conference

Bill LeMaire — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 23:39:51 GMT

Four DBG Docents, (L-R in photo: Tish Varney, Elena Piazzisi, Sharon Matheson, and Maureen Keilty) attended the Plant Select Conference in Denver, June 13. This sold-out conference agenda included a brief look at the new 2024 Plant Select offerings, multiple speakers, a book premiere, and awards. Tish Varney and Elena Piazzisi submitted the following notes and reports.

Plant Select's plants for 2024 are Letitia flannel plant, Verbascum ‘Letitia’; Eversilver ™ creeping germander, Teucrium ‘harlequin’s Silver’; Sarad’s Greek mountain tea, Sideritis syriaca ‘P023S’; Crystal Frost ™ Arizona cypress, Hesperocyparis arizonica ‘Fandango’ (Go here for photos and more information on these selections)

Among the interesting presentations, one by Mike Lorenc of Utah's Conservation Garden Park, West Jordan, Utah, with an emphasis on waterwise landscaping, was especially noteworthy considering our intent to promote more efficient use of water. According to Lorenc, the CGP has over 40,000 visitors a year with classes and events to help people understand water conservation in Utah.

The CGP has discontinued using the term "xeriscaping," preferring instead, "local scaping". Local scaping is built on five fundamental thoughts:

Developing a central open shape first (the lawn area)
Creating gathering areas
Developing activity zones such as gardens, playground
Creating primary and secondary pathways
Developing planting beds

Among numerous interesting presentations, one by Mike Lorenc of Utah's Conservation Garden Park, West Jordan, Utah, with an emphasis on waterwise landscaping, was especially noteworthy considering our intent to promote more efficient use of water. According to Lorenc, the CGP has over Local scaping is built on five fundamental thoughts:Lorenc recommends drip irrigation when possible at the rate of 10 minutes twice a day and every 7-10 days. For a ¼ acre lot he recommended 10 zones. With this formula he noted a decrease in water usage from 196,250 gallons per season to 65,766 gallons per season.

He further discussed the maintenance of "bland scape" (traditional grass yard maintenance) vs local scape. People hesitate in taking out their grass with the idea local scape will be more work. For traditional maintenance he noted approximately 45 hours per year. For irrigation, traditional yards take 40" per year and local scape 14" per year.

Spray irrigation, he noted, was not as effective in providing even coverage. He recommended installation of an inline drip system, in a grid pattern, 18" apart. Overall, he noted local scape maintenance is not more, just different.

Lorenc further reminded when using irrigation to set the inline drip for the size of the mature tree. He recommended the grid system for vegetable gardens as well. For local scape the yard maintenance is more forgiving. He reminded us that mulch is your friend. Finally, if you want to seek more information, he has posted video and additional educational information on www.conservationgardenpark.org.

Awards:

Organizational Partner Award went to Wheeler Loveland Garden Center

Showcase Garden Award was Red Butte Botanic Gardens, Salt Lake City

Individual Partner Awards were Jim Boreland and Keith Funk (Weis Guys), Grace Johnson of Chatfield Arboretum and Kirk Fieseler.

Book Considers Influence of Wild Shrublands and Naturalistic Planting

One of the highlights of the Plant Select Conference was the excellent presentation given by Kevin Philip Williams and Michael Guidi, two of the Denver Botanic Gardens' rising stars in the horticultural world and authors of Shrouded in Light, an exploration into shrubs and the role they play in the natural world. In the presentation and the book, they explore the patterns that shrublands create which are pleasing to the brain. Shrubs have a multi-stem, intermediate growth form creating multiple benefits by providing shelter for small animals (bunneries) and birds and acting as a nurse plant for new sprouts.

The coffee table quality pictures demonstrate that shrubs grow in many different climates around the world and illustrate islands of plant type. They further expand on the idea that shrubs can be compared to neo-expressionist paintings and give examples in beautiful photographs from around the world. The gardener can create naturalistic plantings in the home garden from these patterns; too often we see shrubs relegated to lollipop shearing and intense pruning.

The authors invite gardeners to “to work, live, play with shrubs by celebrating the shrublands that fill our world in all kinds of climate and growing conditions.”

The book is for available through the Denver Botanic Gardens and many booksellers. It is well worth the price! You may view their presentation on a British YouTube video available under Garden Masterclass, Shrouded in Light—Exploring the World’s Shrublands. For more on the book and to purchase

Our 2023 Community Impact Report

Bill LeMaire — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 16:18:34 GMT

We are proud to publish our 2023 Community Impact Report. This reflects an ambitious but fulfilling year for the Durango Botanic Gardens. Click the image below to view, read, print a pdf of the report.

Community Impact Report.pdf

Docent's Choice Plant of the Year, 2023, Announced

Bill LeMaire — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 20:15:02 GMT

Recently, the Docents of the Durango Botanic Gardens voted on their choice for Plant of the Year. They selected something unusual: the ‘Globemaster’ Allium. The choice is unusual because it is a plant that grows from a BULB. This bulb blooms in late spring-early summer with huge purple baseball-sized globes. After the flower fades, the seed heads remain for a while, providing architectural interest. Then the foliage disappears, only to emerge the following spring to begin the bloom cycle again. When in bloom in the Contemporary section of the Literary Garden, this plant generated more amazement and questions from visitors than any other plant in the Gardens. Alliums are members of the onion family and come in a variety of other colors and shapes. Generally considered deer-resistant and tolerant of poor soils, they are popular choices at DBG’s annual Bulb Sale. (Photo courtesy of Dutchbulbs.com)

PREVIOUS DOCENTS’ CHOICE WINNERS

2022: Midnight Marvel’ Rose Mallow, Hibiscus moscheutos

2021: ‘Undaunted’ Ruby Muhly, Muhlenbergia reverchonii

2020: Hummingbird Trumpet Mint, Monardella macrantha ‘Marian Sampson’

2019: Kintzley’s Ghost, Lonicera reticulata

2018: Hopflower Oregano, Origanum libanoticum

2017: Coral Canyon Twinspur, Diascia integerrima

Plant Select® Conference News

Bill LeMaire — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 20:04:57 GMT

Three members and docents of the Durango Botanic Gardens (DBG), Melanie Palmer, Curator and Docent Director of the Durango Botanic Gardens and DBG Docents, Veronica Zanon and Tish Varney, attended the Plant Select^® 2023 Annual Conference on June 15 at the Denver Botanic Gardens. They each prepared a report on their observations and principal takeaways from the event.

Native Plant Dreaming

Submitted by Veronica, ‘Ronnie,’ Zanon

Jennifer Ackerfield, Head Curator of the Natural History Collections and Associate of Biodiversity Research at the Denver Botanic Gardens, has my ‘dream’ job—traveling throughout Colorado searching for native plants to be considered for inclusion in the Plant Select® program.

Among the advantages of using Colorado native plants is that they are pre-adapted to the Colorado climate, as well as their hardiness, low water requirements, attractiveness to pollinators and visual appeal. She approached the topic by considering the various growing zones in Colorado, beginning with the Plains (3500 – 5600 ft.) of eastern Colorado. About 35% of Colorado is shortgrass prairie land. One of the outstanding plants of the plains is the Nebraska Lupine (Lupinis plattensis...see photo), a perennial with striking bi-colored flowers.

By contrast, the Foothills Zone (6000 – 8000 ft.) contains mainly gambel oak, ponderosa pine, pinyon, and juniper. Here various species of the Asclepias genus(milkweed) thrive. Milkweed species are especially beneficial to the Monarch butterfly.

In the Montane (8000 – 10,000 ft.) one sees Douglas fir, blue spruce, aspen, columbine and the Erigeron genus. Some notable performers of the Montane are Mules Ears (Wyethia amplexicaulis) and Bee Balm (Monardella odoratissimus).

The Alpine Zone (11,000 ft. and above) contains low growing perennials adapted to cold and wind – think purple fringe (Phacelia sericea) and Penstemmon harbourii – found in rocky scree.

Moving west are the shrublands of the Western slope, a semi-desert, sagebrush covered habitat. A couple stars of this area are the Easter Daisy (Townsendia incana) and the Woody-aster (Xylorhiza venusta), with its basal leaves and large daisy flower.

Some considerations for adapting native plants to common cultivation are: aggressiveness, rabbit/deer resistance, pest and disease susceptibility, ability to propagate, performance in gardens.

So, who knows, in a few years, you may find some or all of these wonderful Colorado natives at a nursery near you!

Melanie Joins Trial Plant Evaluations

Submitted by Melanie Palmer, curator, Durango Botanic Gardens

Chatfield Farms, located in southwest Denver, is a 700+ acre nature preserve, working farm, and historic site that has been an important part of the Denver Botanic Gardens for many years. It includes nature trails, numerous themed gardens, including CSA fields, an herb garden, iris garden, and a Plant Select® Demonstration Garden designed by Lauren Springer.

It is also a trial site for many plants that are considered for the Plant Select^®program. The Durango Botanic Gardens received an invitation from Plant Select Director Ross Shrigley to participate in trial plant evaluations the day before the annual Plant Select meeting, along with garden center and other nursery professionals. Melanie Palmer participated in the evaluations. Plants including groundcovers, other flowering perennials, shrubs, and grasses were scored on several parameters, and ultimately received YES/NO votes on possible inclusion in the program in future years.

Fire Mitigation By Zones

Submitted by Tish Varney, DBG Docent

It’s Elemental: Water, Fire, Natives was the theme of the Plant Select® Conference that included talks addressing issues that gardeners are facing today. “Creating Fire-Resilient Landscapes” was the title of a presentation by Andrea Dorman, Horticulturist and Southwest Idaho Program Coordinator of Idaho Firewise.

Western gardeners require forethought in choosing the plants and placement when designing landscapes. Because of increased fire danger and a warming climate, the risk of fire impacting homes also increases. Idaho Firewise and Plant Select® collaborate in offering a demonstration garden that highlights the principles of creating fire-wise and water-wise space.

Dorman and other experts discuss plant selection and landscaping in terms of three zones radiating away from a house: Zone 1 = 0- 5’, Zone 2 = 5-30-‘ and Zone 3 = 30-100’ or more. The types of plants and mulch in these different zones are “lean, clean and green”.

Zone 1 includes only fire-wise plants and rock mulch. Examples of these include high moisture content cacti, latex and pectin (fruit trees) with compact or low growth form. iceplant, sedum, veronica are to name a few available from Plant Select.

Zone 2 uses less dense plantings and manageable turf areas with hardscape such as 6’ pathways. It is best to avoid planting conifers and other high pitch plants while including shrubs containing soap such as mock orange, soapwort, yucca and berries (pectin).

Finally, in Zone 3, trees are limbed up 6-10 feet high. This will discourage fire from reaching and spreading though the branches. Thin and prune overlapping branches. Irrigation such as drip saves water and at the same time keeps plants from drying out.

For more information, go to www.idahofirewise.org for tips on creating your own defensible space.

Envisioning a Changing DurangoScape

Annette LeMaire — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 23:28:54 GMT

Our online conference presentations are accessible to registrants through April 7.

It is true that our climate has and is always changing. What our measurements, data, and observations are revealing, however, is that climatic change is now happening faster and in often unexpected ways, giving rise in fact to the term “global weirding.” What is clear is that the planet, as well our Four Corners, is warming and that has a clear, observable impact on us, our landscapes, forests, and mountains.

Reflecting on this phenomenon and its impact on our horticultural world, the Durango Botanic Gardens, in league with the Colorado Native Plant Society, the Mountain Studies Institute, the city of Durango, and the Colorado Master Gardeners program, produced a hybrid conference entitled Envisioning a Changing DurangoScape. ‘Hybrid’ because the event consisted of eight recorded presentations that registrants could view between March 1 and April 7 and an in-person event on March 16 featuring a keynote presentation by the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Director of Outreach and Senior Curator, Panayoti Kelaidis.

Panayoti Kelaidis from the Denver Botanic Gardens urged attendees to honor their setting in SW Colorado by adapting the flora that works best in our region while also using less water and less labor.

One of our conference presentations, by Jake Kurzweil and Scott Roberts of the Mountains Studies Institute (MSI), revealed that mountain regions around the world, including the San Juans, are increasingly reflecting the impacts of warming and climate change. Mean annual air temperatures in Southwestern Colorado have risen almost 2⁰F in only three decades. Even more concerning is that temperatures are likely to increase by an additional 1.5 to 3.5⁰F by 2025 and 2.5 to 5.5⁰F by 2050. Warming temperatures have deleterious impacts that can be seen in the increasing rise of wildfire, falling averages of flow in our rivers, an emerging shift from a cold-water fishery to a warm water fishery, and more, far more. Not to mention, of course, the impact on gardens and landscaping.

While the MSI presenters produced the background for how changes in the climate are impacting our growing zones, the remaining presenters focused on practical approaches to adapting our yards and landscapes to new climate realities, especially landscaping and plant selection that results in less water usage. Mike Smedley, for example, issued a plea for reducing conventional Kentucky Bluegrass (KB) lawns, offering a variety of alternatives and groundcovers that could permit, if not the elimination of KB turf, at least reducing its use—while, very importantly, maintaining a great looking yard. Rock gardens and native plants were among other ideas presented by speakers, all illustrating their messages with examples of great looking yards, landscapes, and parks.

One takeaway from the presentations is that we seem to be unleashing at chemical warfare on nature rather than working with it. Some presenters showed home center aisles with shelves groaning under the weight of pesticides and chemicals. Rather than fight nature, speakers encouraged landscape designs that work with nature, that complement or accentuate nature’s strengths. The result is not only a more resilient landscape but one not only in harmony with nature but also beautiful.

Mike Smedley’s yard offers an explosion of color and textural interest while simultaneously keeping turf to a minimum, all with potentially less maintenance. Click on image to enlarge for a better look.

One term that is gaining traction in our pursuit of a new way of adapting to a warmer climate is regenerative landscaping, a term used by Brooke Safford of Blooming Landscape & Design. “A well designed, regenerative landscape,” she says, “not only encourages sustainability and biodiversity but can also reduce your water and maintenance costs while creating visually pleasing spaces in harmony with nature.”

A “food forest” is a type of biodynamic, edible garden that is designed to mimic systems found in nature. Much like a forest, the garden is comprised of a hierarchy of different plants that all support each other. The outcome is a garden that is more resilient and requires less water and maintenance over time. A food forest will have a better chance of acclimating and adapting to climate change than a series of mono crops. Image from Brooke Safford's presentation.

The theme of the conference was well articulated by our keynote speaker on March 16, Panayoti Kelaidis. He urged attendees to rethink the DurangoScape in a way that truly “honors your setting.” As he explained, “I don’t think we in Colorado take as much advantage of our natural Southwest flora, which are beautiful and almost inherently resilient to climate changes, as well as often needing less. We just need to be shown what is possible and work with what we have, which is very beautiful.”

Kelaidis added further that, “Most of us don’t bat an eyelash spending five figures to remodel a room, but boy! we get stingy when it comes to our gardens! Why do we settle for less when a cityscape is the stage setting of much of our (and our children’s) lives? Let’s conjure towns and settings worthy of Durango and the Four Corners!,” he concluded.

The Last Flower Standing in 2022

Bill LeMaire — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 17:02:15 GMT

Following submitted by our knower-of-all-things-related-to-bulbs, Mike Smedley.

It's December 11, late afternoon, and the sun skims low in the southwestern skyline. Winter Solstice comes in 10 long nights. A storm is coming, the weather prognosticators say, with harsh blowing snow and bone-crushing single-digit temperatures as the coup de grace to the tawny, supposedly dormant garden.

But in the front yard, there is one remaining and defiant hold-out. It's a blooming crocus, the very last flower of the year.

I didn't know whether to celebrate its resolute audacity or mourn that it is, without a doubt, the very final flower of 2022. Maybe celebrate and mourn simultaneously.

A brave lilac-blue Crocus speciosus (autumn-blooming crocus from the Caucasus Mountains) in December is a source of wonder. But I can only pause to appreciate and anticipate that in 10 weeks, this corm's golden cousin Crocus ancyrensis (so called Golden Bunch Crocus from Turkey) will brighten the late-winter world, maybe even poking up through lingering snow with the same insubordination.

Noel Night in the Gardens Attracts Large Crowd

Bill LeMaire — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 20:47:04 GMT

The Durango Botanic Gardens (DBG) joined the city and business community in celebrating Noel Night Friday, December 2 at the library. With many parts of the new Literary Garden adorned with lights and the pathways alit with luminaria, it was a festive evening attended by a large number of people from the community—especially children anticipating meeting with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

In photo above Santa and Mrs. Claus (Kevin and Patsy Ford) flank the Grinch (Lynn Hughes). Below, Lynn Hughes reads from How the Grinch Stole Christmas to an enraptured audience. Santa read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.'

We had incredible help from a number of people but a special shout-out to the principal organizers: Barbara Johnson, Melanie Palmer, and Camilla Potter. "This was a group effort by our Docents and Board members,” said Melanie Palmer, the Gardens’ Curator. “We were surprised and pleased with the turnout by people of all ages, but especially young children and their families. We are already collecting ideas for next year!"

Some of the cold but cheerful board members, volunteers, docents, and elves that helped make our first Noel Night a fun, successful event. Front row (L-R) Gail Lauter, Betsy Iwanicki, Cathy Metz (kneeling), Kandye Dille (kneeling). Back row (L-R), Sharon Matheson, Barbara Johnson, Theresa Anderson (white woolen cap), Melanie Palmer, Hollis Hassenstein, and John Anderson.

Lodgers' Tax Supports Purchase of New Art for the Gardens

Bill LeMaire — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 16:44:13 GMT

Thanks to funding from the City of Durango’s Lodgers’ Tax devoted to Arts & Culture projects the Durango Botanic Gardens (DBG) has acquired and will soon install a new metal sculpture along the heavily traveled Animas River Trail (ART). The project application was reviewed and approved by the city’s Creative Economy Commission.

The metal artwork, entitled the Infiniti II Wind Harp, is the creation of Pagosa Springs artist, Ross Barrable (in photo at left). This stunning work in metal features 18 nylon strings and stainless-steel tuning pins that will capture wind movements in the Animas River corridor and transform them into a variety of natural, pleasing musical tones. The strings generate different tones and moods depending on the direction and power of the wind; in other words, the wind harp becomes nature’s improvisational musician. We believe this handcrafted, locally produced piece, will instantly capture the attention and hearts of Durangoans while also becoming one of the city’s signature artworks.

Ross Barrable is the only acoustical wind harp artist in the United States with installations across the county in a variety of public spaces. More locally, Mercy Hospital has a similar wind harp by Barrable. Following is the artist’s web site: https://harmonywindharps.com

In consultation with the artist, Ross Barrable, we have determined that the best location for the wind harp is between our crevice garden and our grass garden. The location and the amazing nature of this work will powerfully reflect Durango’s commitment to public art. We hope it generates favorable dialogue in the community about the confluence of art and nature, the synchronicity of nature (wind) and the art it inspires in humankind.

Thanks to the City of Durango and the Creative Economy Commission for support the arts and our Botanic Gardens.

DBG 2022 Annual Report

Bill LeMaire — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 18:42:06 GMT

Thanks to our nearly 400 members, docents, volunteers, and donors for making 2022 a memorably, transformative year for the Durango's admission-free, award-winning public gardens. Click on the image to the left for a downloadable copy of the annual report.

DBG Docents Choose Plant of the Year (s)

Bill LeMaire — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 15:08:58 GMT

Melanie Palmer, curator of the Durango Botanic Gardens conducted a survey of our docents to choose the plant of the year for 2021 and 2022. Here is her report on our Docents' Plant of the Year. Click on images below to enlarge.

For 2021, Docents chose a perennial grass, Undaunted Ruby Muhly, Muhlenbergia reverchonii ‘PUND01S’, which has been a star in the Dryland Mesa section of the Demonstration Garden for years and is now lighting up the Elevation Grass Collection. This grass is a drought tolerant and cold hardy (to Zone 5) bunch grass that requires little maintenance except cutting back in early spring and periodic division every 5 years or so. The soft green foliage in the spring and early summer is followed by the stunning pink halo of bloom, breathtaking when backlit by autumn sunlight. One of North America’s most beautiful native grasses, it was brought into the Plant Select program in 2014. (Photo by Melanie Palmer)

The Docents’ Choice for 2022 is the ‘Midnight Marvel’ Rose Mallow, a hardy hibiscus that is in its third season. Slow to leaf out in the spring, it makes up for lost time in late summer when it is covered with deep red blooms. Although each flower lasts only a day or two, the plant puts out an abundance of flowers, which stand out against the purple-black foliage. Best flower production is in full sun, but the plant will tolerate some shade. It is best to enrich the soil with some organic matter. It will do well with average moisture but will even tolerate wet soils. Our experience with deer resistance has been mixed. (Photo by Springhill Nurseries)

PREVIOUS DOCENTS’ CHOICE WINNERS

2020: Hummingbird Trumpet Mint, Monardella macrantha ‘Marian Sampson’

2019: Kintzley’s Ghost, Lonicera reticulata

2018: Hopflower Oregano, Origanum libanoticum

2017: Coral Canyon Twinspur, Diascia integerrima

2016: Mojave Sage, Salvia pachyphylla

2015: Hot Wings Maple, Acer tataricum, ‘GarAnn’

2014: Horned Poppy, Glaucium acutidentatum

About Those Ceramic Pots in the Gardens

Bill LeMaire — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 14:26:22 GMT

The following is an interview with Kim Adams, a Durango ceramicist who produced those botanically themed ceramic pots in the Cindy Smart Miniature Tree Garden. Kim explains how Tibetan prayer wheels inspired her to create these Botanic Inspiration Wheels.

Why did you chose this project? I’ve always wanted to get involved with a public art project after taking a course on it at the Corcoran in DC many years ago. When I saw an article in the Herald about the Art Brigade’s call for artists, I thought it was time. I’ve been involved with ceramics as a student, business owner, and a lover of clay for years, so opening my mind to a new way for people to interact with my art was exciting. The grant I applied for suggested the Durango Botanic Gardens as a potential site. I love being and working in the garden, so from there ideas about an interactive installation started coming to me, then Jim Philpott signed on for the metalwork offering to donate his time, then the meeting with Bill LeMaire was encouraging. Before I knew it, I was in the studio throwing pots destined for the Durango Botanic Gardens and its visitors.

How does the installation work? If you’re exploring the gardens on the north side of the library, you’ll see four pots mounted on rods sprinkled throughout the Cindy Smart Arboretum. On two of the rods are boxes with paper and pencils—means to render ideas, poems, wishes, drawings that come to you while meandering through the grounds. Rather than putting your rendering in your pocket, I invite you to put it in one of the pots and to spin the pot. (There are carved slots near the top of each pot’s copper lid.) This concept came to me from the time I spent with my children at the Tara Redwood Preschool in Soquel, CA, where prayer wheels were throughout the campus. A turn of a prayer wheel was the same as a recitation of the mantras carved on the surfaces and inside the cores of the wheels. With the Botanic Inspiration Wheels, a turn is a recitation of the messages inside the pots.

What has been the response from the garden visitors been so far? I collect the messages deposited inside the pots every couple of weeks or so. Each time I have gone, I’ve eagerly anticipated what I’ll find. Thus far all the messages express good-spirited intentions for the world, the environment, and individuals. There are hopes for dinosaurs to return, wishes for people to heal and make smooth lifestyle transitions, beautiful pictures, expressions of love, feedback for the garden, and offerings of words to live by. Most messages are anonymous, but gauging by the handwriting and content, I believe the authors are of all ages.

Any projects in the future? There is one more Botanic Inspiration Wheel going in at the new children’s garden at the library. It’ll be around 3 1/2 feet tall, perfectly sized for its visitors. I have an idea for another community-interactive installation with Durango Creates!. I really hope it comes through, as I have loved every minute spent on these botanic wheels.

Why Buy Bulbs and Why Now?

Bill LeMaire — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 15:16:10 GMT

Creative use of bulbs at Chanticleer Gardens, Wayne, PA. Photo by Lisa Roper and from the New York Times, July 16, 2020.

Visit our Sale Preview page, beginning July 22, for get an advance peek at what will be available when our online bulb sales begins August 5.

Caution: When you plant a bulb, you’re handling highly concentrated flower power. There may be no other investment in your garden that will yield as great a return—in color, vibrancy, and pure joy—as bulbs. And while it’s not essential to your enjoyment of bulbs, many of them have a fascinating history and geographical pedigree. A friend recently discovered that one of his bulbs has its origin in Uzbekistan. We may use the “bulb” liberally but the term typically refers not only to true bulbs, but also plants with tuberous roots, tubers, corms, and rhizomes. The information below can be applied to all or most of these.

Here’s maybe the most important reason to buy bulbs—with just a little basic knowledge, anyone can grow beautiful bulbs. Why now? Savvy bulb gardeners know that right now is when the selection of bulbs is greatest; otherwise gardeners who wait for fall may find their favorites sold out and unavailable. Here are some other reasons you should consider bulbs—or more bulbs for your garden:
1. Bulbs are a great way to add color to the garden at a time when little else is in bloom. The spring surprises offered by their emerging foliage and blooms are very rewarding. They can last for years when properly selected and planted at the correct depth. They are by far the most cost-effective perennial there is! Some types of bulbs naturally multiply, increasing in blooms year after year.
2. Since most bulbs need a period of chilling before they can flower, Mother Nature takes care of that here, so our area is ideal. Mid-October to early November is the ideal time to plant because the ground has not frozen and there is sufficient time to allow root development.
3. Bulbs have a long and fascinating place in gardening history, art, literature and even speculative economic bubbles. Daffodils, grown by Egyptians and Greeks and brought into English gardens by the 1200’s, are deer proof, enduring, and now unbelievably diverse.
4. Properly chosen, bulbs can give continuous color for three months, in the drab time between when the snow recedes and other perennials start to flower.
5. One need not have a garden to try some of these beauties. Many varieties of bulbs are “good forcers”, which means they may be grown indoors in pots. A little patience and some refrigerator or garage space to provide the necessary dark pre-chilling period (8-14 weeks, 38-45ºF) that Mother Nature provides outdoors will brighten February days.
6. There is a strong case for planting spring-blooming bulbs as a source of food for bees. As homeowners remove dandelions from lawns, bulbs offer alternatives to bees.
7. Bulbs are easily grown in amended garden soil, and many are deer and rodent resistant.

Beware (or Be Aware) of the Ides of March and 55 Degrees

Bill LeMaire — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 00:46:20 GMT

While the Ides of March referred to the middle day of the month in the ancient Roman calendar, it is most often associated with the date of the assassination of Julius Caesar. Accordingly, as that date approaches, beware aggrieved Roman Senators. Our March is arriving with lamb-like temperatures in the 50s, which reminded our good friend, Mike Smedley, of some observations about bulbs and warmer temperatures...

“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.” American author Henry Van Dyke wrote that, and it is so true, Mike says, particularly for Durango.

"The first day of spring, by the way, is March 20. But March 1 felt like a spring day. And just on schedule, the spring-blooming bulbs are coming up, starting with snowdrops (Galanthus) and early crocus (Crocus ancyrensis and C. chrysanthus). The earliest of tulips are just poking up in sunbaked spots and warmer microclimates. So yes, it’s a spring-ish for the first week of March, after which temps will cool to 40s daytime and teens at night… typical.

Remember, 55 is the magic number for bulbs. When the soil hit this temp in spring, bulb top-growth emerges. (Likewise in fall, 55 is the soil temperature to begin planting bulbs, generally after Halloween.) Pro tip: If you have crocus, tulips, snow iris or other bulbs that deer eat, spray the emerging foliage with repellant now. Deer are creatures of habit. They are very hungry this year and have been eating “deer-proof” plants such as rabbitbrush, juniper, lilac, et. al. Spraying now will, as they say, nip this at the bud."

How Does Your Winter Garden Grow?

Bill LeMaire — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 16:41:16 GMT

For gardeners, winter is that interlude when you plan your spring garden, flip through seed catalogs, buy too many seeds, and dream of a healthy, lush garden coming spring and summer. But savvy gardeners know that often what you do—outside in winter—is just as important. Here are a few conventional—and unconventional—thoughts some of our friends said they would be doing this winter in their gardens.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Winter is all about harvesting water, the frozen kind. It’s the cold-season equivalent of installing rain barrels. When it snows, I get up early before the plows arrive and blow or shovel fresh snow from the street onto the front lawn and hell strip side garden. (Don’t ever harvest street snow after the plows come; those frozen slush chunks are filled with salts/ice melt that will poison your garden. Learn from my mistake!) Move snow from your walkways, driveways, and decks to the dripline of trees. Redistribute “avalanche” snow that comes off the roofs. Each snow harvest will buy you a couple of days of not having to water in spring. Best of all: It's free for the taking. (Mike Smedley, DBG Benefactor)

O’Tannenbaum, O’Tannenbaum

You may have already disposed of your Christmas tree but try this next year. Cut off the branches and put them over rock gardens, sunny exposures, or newly planted areas. The point is not to “warm” the area with insulation or some sort of mulch. Rather, the point is to shade the soil, keep it evenly cool and prevent the harmful freeze-thaw cycle during mid-winter or the usual January 50-degree heat wave. Think of how snow persists in shady areas on a ski mountain. Same with your garden. Durango’s harsh sun can coax some plants out of dormancy too soon. Pine boughs help keep snow layers from melting. Remove boughs in March and add them to the compost pile. (Mike Smedley)

Forcing Those Bulbs for Your Indoor Garden

The snow is deep at my house after the Christmas storm and gardening thoughts are far away. Recently, at the grocery store, I saw pots of tulips in bloom and I thought “Aha! Those were FORCED”, meaning they were pre-chilled in the dark for a number of weeks and then brought into more heat and light where they promptly grew and bloomed. At my house, I set aside a few hyacinth bulbs from DBG’s fall bulb sale for forcing, using vases designed for this purpose. I added water to the vases just enough to “tickle” the root plates and set them in the refrigerator, adding small amounts of water as needed. In another 3 weeks, I will start to bring them out and hopefully have blooms by Valentine’s Day, weeks before those planted outside will emerge. (Melanie Palmer, curator, Durango Botanic Gardens)

Why Winter Watering?

Many of our landscape (and native) plants have had to endure years of drought, higher than normal temperatures, and long periods of a combination of both. Over time, that stresses plants, making them more susceptible to disease, insects or other environmental conditions.

A potential result of this drawn-out weather pattern could be death to the parts of the plant’s root system, especially with newly planted or stressed plants. Woody plants typically have shallow root systems and require supplemental watering. Herbaceous perennials and groundcovers, especially those in exposed sites, can be subjected to cracking in soil that exposes roots to cold and drying. Even recently established lawns have a shallow root system and can quickly dry out. One of the ways to moderate this stress is to water during the winter months, as long as these guidelines are followed: https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/if-winter-is-dry-watering-your-plants-is-wise/ (Darrin Parmenter, LaPlata County Extension Director)

Good Time for Tree pruning

Although it may be cold and snowy outside, winter is actually one of the best times to prune your deciduous trees and shrubs. Dormancy pruning provides a number of benefits, such as decreased disease and insect movement, more readily visible structure, minimized sap and nutrient loss, quicker healing of pruning cuts, increased spring growth, and increased sunlight availability to understory plants.

From late-fall to late-winter, you can prepare your deciduous trees and shrubs for the spring. However, evergreens, in most situations, should be pruned during the growing season, since they never become fully dormant and might suffer tip burn if pruned during dormancy. Pruning during warmer months can have advantages: slowing growth by reducing the total leaf surface area and proper thinning of blooms can create sweeter and more mature fruit in the fall. It is always a great time to care for the trees you love! (Moses Cooper, ISA Certified Arborist MI-4220A, Owner of Momentum Tree Experts, Durango CO

Always prune just outside the branch collar--the point where one branch leaves the larger one (or trunk).

For tips on pruning visit: website: https://csfs.colostate.edu/2015/02/12/late-winter-the-best-time-to-prune-trees/

More Reasons Spring is the Best Time to Prune Wood Plants
Eva Montane of Columbine Landscapes offers additional thoughts on pruning: "With few exceptions, early spring is the best time to prune your shrubs and trees. Pruning stimulates growth, and what better time to bring on new growth than spring? The key is to do your pruning before buds start popping for four good reasons:

You don’t risk damaging the delicate new buds and sprouts
You can easily see the branching structure enabling you to select for the best architecture of your shrub or tree
By pruning while it is still dormant (meaning it hasn’t pushed out new growth yet, so should still be brown twigs – no green) you avoid stressing the plant
Wounds from your pruning cuts heal faster in late winter/early spring

By removing old, unhealthy branches and congestion, branches benefit from more sunlight. You can expect more flowers as a result of a healthier vibrant plant." (Eva Montane, owner, Columbine Landscapes)

Winter Watering, a Surprising Key to a Better Garden

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 20:23:25 GMT

You may have thought your garden watering duties were over for awhile. However, our maintenance team reminds us that homeowners often forget that watering on appropriate days through the fall and winter is an important step in maintaining a healthy landscape. Due to our dry climate here in Colorado, especially here in the southwest corner of the state, supplemental watering during the colder months can be important, if not vital, to a more successful spring flowering and growth. Repeated freezing and thawing of the ground can create cracks in the earth and flower beds, exposing root systems to more severe drying. So winter watering, along with mulching, can help curb dehydration, fill ground cracks, and prevent plant damage.

Our good friend Mike Smedley shared this fact sheet on fall and winter watering from the folks at Colorado State University Extension. Learn how to do fall and winter water the right way...

Fall_Winter_Watering.pdf

2021 Was an Exhilarating, Record-Breaking Year

Bill LeMaire — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 17:24:41 GMT

Read our most recently newsletter recapping an exhilarating 2021

John Wickman Retiring From Native Roots, Will Concentrate on Native Plant Propagation

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 20:13:35 GMT

John Wickman, owner of Native Roots, a longtime mainstay of retail nurseries in the Four Corners, is retiring from Native Roots but will maintain his wholesale grower business, Pine River Plants in Bayfield. The retail business of Native Roots is currently for sale but, with the lease expiring on that property next to Home Depot, a new owner will have to relocate. For his part, John will focus anew on native plant propagation but selling wholesale only. John was one of the founding board members of the Durango Botanic Gardens. Following is his letter to our community of gardeners...

"Time does fly by. It's been seventeen years since Karen Mee and I started Native Roots on a small lot on East Animas Road. I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting, educating, and providing locally grown plants to both beginning gardeners and seasoned pros. Durango is a very difficult gardening environment and I am always impressed with the determination of local gardeners to beautify their space or put food on the table. You all are awesome!

I'd like to thank all of you for your patronage and support these past years. I am semi-retiring this year and will continue to grow plants at my Bayfield wholesale greenhouse but plan to sell Native Roots which will be relocated to a soon to be announced location. I look forward to growing colorful plants and baskets for the Colorado market and returning to my first horticultural interest, native plants. So look for Pine River Plants material at local garden centers and HAPPY GARDENING!"

"Wall Flowers," Our New Mural Dedicated

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 01:40:51 GMT

An explosion of flowers now adorn what was formerly a brown, utilitarian wall between the library and the Riverside Professional Building. A botanically-themed mural, painted by local artist, Nia Sturr, entitled "Wall Flowers," was dedicated with nearly 100 people in attendance on July 15. The mural depicts plants and flora common to our region’s microclimates and elevations. To reflect this amazing horticultural and climatic diversity, plants common to lower, dryland elevations begin at the left of the mural and ascend to plants, trees common to higher, montane and alpine elevations.

Because the common names of plants can vary from region to region, horticulturists and nurseries reference plants using what is called binominal nomenclature, using both the common name and the scientific name, the latter expressed in Latin.

Look for these plants on your next hike or when strolling through our public gardens.

The mural is a project of the Durango Botanic Gardens with support from the Durango Creative District and funding from the Creative Economy Commission. Other funders or in-kind providers include 1st Southwest Bank, the LeMaire Family Fund, Shelly Oxhandler, the Library Advisory Board and Friends of the Library, Handcrafted House and Kroegers Hardware.

We Are a Treasure!

Bill LeMaire — Sat, 22 May 2021 01:02:04 GMT

Panayoti Kelaidis, senior curator and director of outreach at the Denver Botanic Gardens, was in Durango May 15 in conjunction with planning the North American Rock Garden Society (NARGS) conference, which will be held in August in Durango. Kelaidis has designed plantings for many of the gardens at the Denver Botanic Gardens, especially the South African Plaza, the Rock Alpine Garden, and has been a valuable resource and friend of our own gardens in Durango. He has introduced hundreds of native ornamentals from around the world to our region and beyond, essentially transforming the horticulture of the American West. He has just been elected president of the North American Rock Garden Society. Our Melanie Palmer, curator of the Durango Botanic Gardens, spoke with him and enjoyed his comments and praise of a number of our plants. Following is her report...

Panayoti Kelaidis visited the Durango Botanic Gardens during regular Saturday maintenance and took some time to speak with volunteers and Lisa Bourey, garden designer and part of the NARGS organizing committee.

While the Durango Botanic Gardens is a valuable resource for the average homeowner, guiding choices at local nurseries, it DOES contain some rarities. It is the Durango Botanic Gardens’ willingness to trial plants donated by legendary plant collectors from the Denver Botanic Gardens that allows our Gardens to add some unique interest to our own collections.

In his walk-through with us, Kelaidis zeroed in on a couple of plants in the garden and told us some fascinating information about these two plants.

One plant, the Atlantic Daisy, Leucanthemum atlanticum, at left, was collected by Denver Botanic Gardens' curator Mike Kintgen in Morocco, propagated, and then donated to our gardens in the Gardens’ early days. It has proven difficult to grow in other gardens but seems to thrive here. Panayoti pronounced it “one of the finest specimens he has seen anywhere”. He even went so far as to say there are few to equal it outside of Morocco itself. This fairly non-descript small white daisy shines AFTER blooming, with its pink architectural seed heads. Seed will be collected by Lisa Bourey for distribution to NARGS conference visitors and propagators.

The second plant (at left, click image to enlarge) of southern African origin, is found in the Alpine section of the Garden. It grows natively in the mountains of the small country of Lesotho. It is a mat-forming perennial with gray-green tiny foliage, covered in tiny pink-white flowers. Called Helichrysum pracurrens, it is rarely cultivated in botanic gardens. In southern Africa, it is found covering hillsides there. Donated to the Durango Botanic Gardens by Mike Kintgen, it has increased in size every year. The flowers close up in shade but are tiny and daisy shaped. Lisa Bourey is going to collect seed from this plant as well for distribution to NARGS participants.

Mr. Kelaidis was extremely impressed with the appearance of the gardens, and the new areas which have been added since his last visit—the Crevice Garden, the Wind Garden, the Arboreta, and the soon-to-be-planted Elevation Grass Collection. He is certain that the Gardens will be a source of excitement and appreciation by NARGS attendees who come from many parts of the United States and even some foreign countries. Although small, our diversity is simply amazing.

Our hard-working volunteers deserve a huge THANK YOU for many years of dedication to making our Gardens the gem that they are. The Gardens are getting the recognition they richly deserve from some very important and internationally recognized giants of Western horticulture far and wide and will long be remembered by NARGS attendees.

DBG Docents' Choice Plants for 2019/2020

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 13 May 2021 21:58:12 GMT

The following is from Melanie Palmer, curator of the Durango Botanic Gardens.

After a hiatus of a couple years, partly due to Covid-19, the DBG Docent program brought back the Docents’ Choice Plant of the Year. At Docent refresher training this year, the first gatherings of Docents in two years, Docents voted for their two favorite plants.

The votes are in and the choices are: for 2019, Kintzley’s Ghost, Lonicera reticulata, (below, left) and for 2020, Hummingbird Trumpet Mint, Monardella macrantha ‘Marian Sampson’. The ornamental grass Undaunted Ruby Muhly, Muhlenbergia reverchonii, was a close runner-up.

Both plants garner a lot of attention from passersby. The Kintley’s Ghost covers the fence not far from the entrance to the Demonstration Garden. The Hummingbird Trumpet Mint makes a stunning groundcover in the Wind Garden. The Kintzley’s Ghost is also the subject of an article in the Member Portal of the Durango Botanic Gardens website.

Both of these plants are in the Plant Select ® program, and detailed information about them can be found on the Plant Select ® website, plantselect.org

Pollinators and hummingbirds will soon be buzzing around both of these plants.

In our experience, the Monardella can be somewhat touchy to grow. It appreciates a little afternoon shade and very good drainage. We have also sheltered this plant with a layer of pine needles in mid-late fall, removing this mulch in late spring when the plant starts to leaf out. We think this has aided its ability to come through our winters.

Previous Docents’ Choices are

2018: Hopflower Oregano, Origanum libanoticum

2017: Coral Canyon Twinspur, Diascia integerrima

2016: Mojave Sage, Salvia pachyphylla

2015: Hot Wings Maple, Acer tataricum, ‘GarAnn’

2014: Horned Poppy, Glaucium acutidentatum

It's April, Here Come the Tulips and Daffies!

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 20:40:40 GMT

Our Bulb guru, Mike Smedley, always has interesting things going on in his yard. In his part of town the other night the temperature got down to 23F at night but that means nothing to determined daffodils and tulips. Here's his account of an early bloomer that demonstrates the incredible geographic range history of many of our favorite bulbs. Here's Mike's account...

"This tulip has a great story. It’s Tulipa dubia ‘Beldersai,’ which I picked up on a whim at Denver Botanic’s bulb sale a couple years ago. Being a Steppe region native, this tulip been a colorful and dependable addition, with red and yellow petals and purple-stained foliage, in the dry crevice rock garden. Then, in 2019, Amy and I went to Uzbekistan to tour the Silk Road. Part of that trip was to the eastern mountains and a place called Beldersay, a Soviet-occupation-era ski resort. There, we went on botanizing hikes and saw wild tulips growing naturally just below melting snowfields in the Chimgan Valley. When we got back home, I finally put it together. THIS tulip was grown from seed collected right there in that valley of Uzbekistan. It’s a small world.

But even before the Beldersai tulip bloomed, one of the earliest wee daffodils sprang up. This is Narcissus 'Little Gem,' a specialty selection from the Durango Botanic Garden's bulb sale last year. Not only does Little Gem bloom in late March, it’s as small as a Dutch crocus, shown paired with purple-striped Crocus vernus ‘Pickwick,’ which also was a purchase from the sale. Grown together, they are a smashing combo. Little Gem is lucky to reach 5 inches tall, but the flower offers that “traditional” daffodil look, with an outsize trumpet and bright yellow hue. Yellow Gem is also more drought tolerant than most daffodils, an added bonus."

Durango Botanic Gardens will conduct it's annual bulb sale online from August 6-17.

Here We Go!

Bill LeMaire — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 15:55:08 GMT

The season has begun! The first crocus is up and blooming, despite lows of 14 degrees at night and blustery days of late winter. Meet the species Crocus korolkowii 'Brown Tiger,' putting on a show in Mike Smedley's crevice rock garden on Feb. 27. Mike says the outsides of these large, golden flowers are heavily striated and mottled in dark maroon. The bulb (actually, it's a corm but no one really cares about that detail) hails from the steppes of Central Asia -- notably the "stans": Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and north to the Kara Tau Mountains of Kazakhstan. So that tells you just how tough-as-nails this spring ephemeral is. At night, the petals collapse around the stamen and stigma to protect until the next morning. The next earliest blooming crocus will be C. ancyrensis 'Golden Bunch'. These should make a showing in a week or two, followed by the various Snow Crocus, C. chrysanthus, along with Iris reticulata (snow iris), Galanthus (snowflakes), Eranthus (winter aconite) and the usual suspects who brave the cold.

Late Bloomer is a Thanksgiving Treat

Bill LeMaire — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 18:50:51 GMT

Mike Smedley, our resident bulb authority, took these gorgeous photos of one of the bulb world's most notable late bloomers, Crocus specious. We typically see this fall blooming crocus around Halloween but Mike thinks that our October frigid snap pushed back the bloom time. He shot this photo, for example, this Thanksgiving week.

Fall-blooming crocuses are a distinct breed, Mike says. Typically the very last bulb to bloom, this unusual crocus offers gorgeous violet-blue petals with pumpkin-orange anthers, a combination that goes incredibly well with the tawny hues of late autumn. They send up their white-striped grasslike foliage in spring, just like “regular” crocus. But they don’t bloom. Instead, the foliage ripens and fades. In late fall, the flowers emerge by themselves. Thus, they need a groundcover foil for best display. Here, they thrive in a xeric buffalo grass. C. speciosus is native to the mountains of central and northern Turkey, the Caucasus Mountains, northern Iran and the Crimea, hardy to zone 3. So far, Mike adds, he has not seen any last-minute pollinators. It might be too late in the year for bees. But just in case, there’s a Thanksgiving feast waiting in the front lawn.

New Name, Same Mission

Bill LeMaire — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 18:42:10 GMT

The following is a letter to members from BIll LeMaire, newly elected president of the Durango Botanic Gardens.

Since 2010, our lovely public gardens at the library and along the Animas River Trail, have been identified as the Durango Botanical Society. In August of this year, the board of directors took the decision to change our name to the Durango Botanic Gardens—with the accompanying new logo, seen here on this letterhead. After considerable discussion about our future, and as we embark on a new decade, it was decided that our communications and branding will be better served by focusing on our actual product—gardens. The gardens are the same, the people are the same, the mission to build gardens that inspire, demonstrate, and educate, remains the same--only the official name of our endeavor has changed.

We have come so far since 2010. Our founding members looked upon a weed-infested wasteland behind the library and did something remarkable with that space. And, we have continued to add to that vision, with additional gardens and themes. However, the next decade for our gardens will be equally exciting. We intend to develop additional space at the library, add outdoor art, and make our gardens the envy of Colorado and an even more remarkable destination.

So thank you members, thank you partners and supporters. We could not have built the Durango Botanic Gardens without all of you and we cannot build this future without you.

In further news, the DBG board recently elected new officers. Bill LeMaire is our new president, replacing John Anderson, who accomplished so much in the past three years. Drew Currie was elected vice president which fills a position that had remained vacant. Theresa Anderson was elected secretary, replacing Drew Currie in that position. Connie Markert remains our treasurer. Annette LeMaire was elected to the board.

We will begin work this fall on the new Elevated Grass Collection, between the Crevice Garden and the Rosie-the-Riveter Garden, and this work will be completed in the spring.

We intend that 2021 will be a very active year with a number of events planned, as pandemic restrictions permit.

Thank you for your membership, exciting times and benefits lie ahead which will add further value to your membership.

Thanks for your support and stay well,

Bill LeMaire

President, Durango Botanic Gardens

Garden Section Dedicated to Nancy Wallace

Bill LeMaire — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 17:20:39 GMT

The Following are the dedication remarks offered by Melanie Palmer on September 22 in recognition of the service to our gardens by long-time board member, Nancy Wallace.

From the very beginning of the Durango Botanic Gardens (DBG), Nancy has been a tireless worker, advocate and financial supporter. In 2012, Nancy became a member of the Board of Directors. She quickly assumed the mantle of Garden Maintenance Director and worked tirelessly with Lisa Bourey and others to improve the infrastructure of the Gardens and mold into its present form with different mulches to delineate specific gardens. She was always instrumental in managing the garden irrigation, working with Library staff and irrigation companies to make sure that the irrigation was adequate and in good repair and overseeing the transition from drip to overhead sprinklers.

Nancy procured, had delivered, and then hauled by wheelbarrow untold tons of rock, gravel, and wood mulches through the years—the cobble in the Dine, the rock mulch in the South African, the gravel along the garden path, the pea gravel in the Alpine and the wood mulch in the other areas. Many of these were in-kind donations from Nancy and her husband Jim.

Above left, Nancy and Jim Wallace stand next to the planting area dedicated to Nancy and her service to the Durango Botanic Gardens. Above right, Melanie Palmer reads dedicatory remarks.

As Garden Maintenance Director, she was present in the garden EVERY SATURDAY for many years, directing volunteers, always being the last person to leave. She always provided homemade cookies and treat for the volunteers every Saturday. She was assisted by her husband on many of these Saturdays. She was instrumental in getting the weeds in the Dine and other areas under control, trying a host of organic methods.

Nancy was kind enough to be a guinea pig for the first Docent training and for another year after that and was always very appreciative and supportive of the Docents in every way possible.

She opened her home for volunteer appreciation parties and hosted world-renowned visiting horticultural experts at elegant dinner parties on several occasions—where we were all green with envy at her own amazing garden.

The Gardens and DBG simply would NOT be what they are without her over these many years of hard service.

Instead of a single tree, we dedicate this planting bed with its shrubs and flowers to Nancy, with the hope that it will be expanded with more plantings to show several seasons of interest throughout this year and for many years to come.

The Board and docents give Nancy their heartfelt thanks and appreciation.

Reflections from Flagstaff on a COVID-19 Summer

Bill LeMaire — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 23:54:03 GMT

By Carol Chicci

Hello to all of you in Durango from Flagstaff, AZ. I usualy write about roses, but I want to share with you what has been going on with general gardening in Flagstaff during this time of social distancing, economic challenges, and travel restrictions.

When we are under restrictions, we can feel that our lives are not as full as we would like. However, I am privileged to know gardeners who live every day to the fullest and who do not wait for “better times.” Our two excellent family-owned nurseries led the way last spring with websites allowing you to order online and then pick up at their curb side or have your plants and amendments delivered to your door.

Many people planted vegetable gardens for the first time, adding needed food to their tables while showing their children the joy in observing new life sprouting and then ripening into edible produce.

More leisure time since we were not commuting allowed many of us to finally finish landscaping the front and back yard. This was another worthwhile activity for our children to help us with, broadening their knowledge of the outdoors and helping them experience the satisfaction of a job well done.

Bartering with neighbors for gardening equipment and supplies has increased. These same people will probably look throughout their yards and neighborhoods this fall for leaves and pine needles to use for mulch.

Meilland's 'Eden' at left, David Austin's 'James Galway' at right

In the Hospice garden where I have volunteered all summer long for the past seven summers since I became a master gardener, we have replaced three of our climbing roses which were either diseased or had not bloomed for several years. Attached are pictures of these roses, two of Meilland’s ‘Eden’ and David Austin’s ‘James Galway.’

Hopefully we in Flagstaff, as well as you in Durango, will carry over all that we have learned in our gardens during this unusual summer and add it to each of our future gardens, ensuring that a very difficult time was also one of our most productive times.

Carol Chicci, a certified Master Gardener of the Coconino Master Gardener Association, has grown roses in Phoenix for 15 years and for 16 years in Flagstaff. She is a member of the Denver Rose Society, the American Rose Society, and the Durango Botanic Gardens. If you'd like to reach Carol, do so at mtngardener07@gmail.com.

Tish Varney's Sheepish Veggie Garden

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 17:19:21 GMT

Tish Varney does a new, aesthetic take on the increasingly popular use of sheep tanks for vegetable gardening. She files this report...

Among the ill effects of our Covid-19 pandemic, some families in our region are also experiencing food insecurity and thus there is an even greater premium this summer for producing fruits and vegetables. My personal effort to address this need includes the assembly of a vegetable-producing sheep tank. Our landscaping doesn’t really accommodate a conventional vegetable garden space so I had to be especially resourceful and mindful of space. My solution was to convert a tiny patch of irrigated grass in the back yard into a raised-bed garden within a sheep tank. In order to maximize this small space I followed the Square Foot Gardening technique made famous by Mel Bartholomew which limits each growing space to a square foot parameter.

So, I bought a galvanized sheep watering tank for $160 with dimensions of 8’ long by 19” wide by 2’ deep. I opened up the tank for drainage by drilling 10 holes and then placed the tank in the grass plot on 8” x 16” cement blocks. This raised the tank to a convenient height of 2’8”.

Since veggies don’t require deep soil, I first added conifer mulch to 1/3 then filled with a mixture of top soil, organic potting mix and cotton burr compost. Before planting, I first created a schematic on paper of the tank with one foot by 9” for 12 sections and two curved end caps and then physically laid out string to define the sections in the tank. On May 18, I set out some seedlings (kale, bush beans) and planted the rest with seeds. The garden exceeded my expectations! And my neighbors became the recipients of kale, spinach, and lettuce as well.

The art of gardening wouldn’t be complete without art in the garden. A galvanized tank isn’t all that attractive, so I commissioned my college neighbor studying graphic arts to create stencils to add a flower design using green spray paint. The result is delightful! Maybe animal water tanks will come into their own as raised veggie beds and not be sheepish any longer!

Melanie Reports from the 2020 Plant Select Annual Meeting

Bill LeMaire — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 21:29:26 GMT

Melanie Palmer, curator of the Durango Botanic Gardens files (DBG) this report from the recent online Plant Select Annual Meeting. She represented DBG on a panel discussing the relationship of gardens and their communities.

The 2020 Plant Select meeting, which was conducted as a Zoom webinar began with a preview of some of the 2021 Plant Select plants:

1. Blanca Peak Rocky Mountain Beardtongue—this plant is a WHITE version of the common PURPLE Penstemon strictus and was developed by David Salman
2. SteppeSun Hokubetsi—Helichrysum trileatum, a very xeric South African native similar in appearance to the Partridge Feather, but with more prominent flowers
3. Drew’s Folly Hardy Snapdragon—Antirrhinum sempervirens, a pink, cold-hardy dwarf snapdragon from the mountains of Spain

The first keynote speaker was Larry Vickerman, a curator of the Denver Botanic Garden’s Chatfield location. His prior experience was as a plantsman on the great plains of Kansas, Oklahoma and eastern Colorado. He highlighted some of the beautiful plants that originate in these areas, particularly the Flint Hills area between Salina and Wichita, KS. He has planted some of these at the Chatfield location, but they are likely not available in our state as yet, with a couple of exceptions such as the Sorghastrum nutans, an ornamental grass in the Plant select program (and in our own Demonstration Garden) and the Liatris ligulistylis, not a plant Select Plant, but present in our Demonstration Garden. Fires on prairies are essential every 3 years or so for rejuvenation. In contrast, forest fires in overgrown Ponderosa Forests burn too hot, destroying soils and allowing little rejuvenation.

The second Keynote speaker was Kenton Seth, a Crevice Garden expert, and designer of our own Crevice Garden. The latest recommendation in crevice gardening in our area is that crusher fines work better than masonry sand as the soil replacement for a crevice garden. He also recommends using larger “tried and true” plants in the Plant Select program as “backbones” of these gardens rather than trying to focus on rare or hard-to-grow plants. My takeaway was that we are doing a lot of things right especially with respect to continuing to use bareroot planting and overhead sprayer irrigation. We should probably be bare-root planting all of the new plants in other areas of the Gardens.

The last keynote speaker was Mike Kintgen, Curator of Alpine Collections. The takeaway from his presentation was that we need to take a second look at some of the older “tried and true”, and now overlooked plants in the Plant Select program, and possibly bring some others into the program, e.g.:

Clematis scotia (Scott's Sugarbowls)
Erigonum umbellatum (Kannah Creek Buckwheat)
Penstemon mensarum (Grand Mesa Beardtongue)
Heuchera pulchella (Sandia Coral Bells)
Cercocarpus intricatus (Littleleaf Mountain Mahogany)
Lonicera korolkowii Floribunda (Blue Velvet Honeysuckle)
Jamesii americana (Waxflower)

My takeaway is that we still have a very big problem here with availability of Plant Select Plants, especially some of the older varieties like the Waxflower. We likely need to start requesting/ordering them OR try and get AJ’s to propagate more of them. I don’t believe I have seen any of the 2020 Plant Select plants at local nurseries.

Other similar plants that Mike Kintgen would like to see brought into the Plant Select program. He mentioned Chelsea Nursery in Clifton (east of Grand Junction) as a good source of native plants.

Porter’s Sulphur Flower
Subalpine Buckwheat
Crispleaf Buckwheat
Golden Eye
Scarlet Gilia
Barnbeyi Columbine

Panel Discussion

After the keynote speakers there was a panel discussion moderated by Diana Reavis. The panelists included Bill Pratt of the Treasure Island Garden in Windsor, Colorado; Catherine Moravec of the Colorado Springs Utilities Demonstration Garden, Sonya Anderson of the Denver Botanic Garden, and Melanie Palmer of the Durango Botanic Gardens. The panelists were asked to describe how their gardens were started, and the impact they have on the community. In our case, the Durango Botanic Garden was the only one invited from the Western slope, and we have a unique impact as the only public garden in the City with an educational mission. Our high visibility along the River Trail and Library, our plant signage and our unique Docent program position us perfectly to spread the Plant Select message to the average homeowner and to people relocating to this area. Our strong partnerships with the Library the City are part of the impetus for our expansion plans, and our stewardship has made us the go-to organization for advice on the development of other public demonstration gardens such as the one being planned for the new Water Treatment Plant.

The second part of the panel focused on volunteer management. Again, we are unique in having no paid staff, but all gardens use volunteers and have effective ways of scheduling them. Our Docents and Board are a highly trained corps who can train newcomers and exert leadership in all areas of the organization such as fundraising, marketing, electronic media and educational outreach in addition to weeding the garden.

Other takeaways: Based on the results of the Plant Select survey from last year, nearly 2/3 of gardens water 2-3 times per week, so we are in line with those.

Mike Smedley's Bulb Basics

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 19:04:21 GMT

Bulb Basics was prepared for customers of the Durango Botanic Gardens' 2020 Bulb Sale by Mike Smedley...Read below and/or print out a pdf file here. Click the page below to expand for easier reading...

Why Buy Bulbs and Why Now?

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 16:44:37 GMT

Creative use of bulbs at Chanticleer Gardens, Wayne, PA. Photo by Lisa Roper and from the New York Times, July 16, 2020.

Caution: When you plant a bulb, you’re handling highly concentrated flower power. There may be no other investment in your garden that will yield as great a return—in color, vibrancy, and pure joy—as bulbs. And while it’s not essential to your enjoyment of bulbs, many of them have a fascinating history and geographical pedigree. A friend recently discovered that one of his bulbs has its origin in Uzbekistan. We may use the “bulb” liberally but the term typically refers not only to true bulbs, but also plants with tuberous roots, tubers, corms, and rhizomes. The information below can be applied to all or most of these.

Here’s maybe the most important reason to buy bulbs—with just a little basic knowledge, anyone can grow beautiful bulbs. Why now? Savvy bulb gardeners know that right now is when the selection of bulbs is greatest; otherwise gardeners who wait for fall may find their favorites sold out and unavailable. Here are some other reasons you should consider bulbs—or more bulbs for your garden:
1. Bulbs are a great way to add color to the garden at a time when little else is in bloom. The spring surprises offered by their emerging foliage and blooms are very rewarding. They can last for years when properly selected and planted at the correct depth. They are by far the most cost-effective perennial there is! Some types of bulbs naturally multiply, increasing in blooms year after year.
2. Since most bulbs need a period of chilling before they can flower, Mother Nature takes care of that here, so our area is ideal. Mid-October to early November is the ideal time to plant because the ground has not frozen and there is sufficient time to allow root development.
3. Bulbs have a long and fascinating place in gardening history, art, literature and even speculative economic bubbles. Daffodils, grown by Egyptians and Greeks and brought into English gardens by the 1200’s, are deer proof, enduring, and now unbelievably diverse.
4. Properly chosen, bulbs can give continuous color for three months, in the drab time between when the snow recedes and other perennials start to flower.
5. One need not have a garden to try some of these beauties. Many varieties of bulbs are “good forcers”, which means they may be grown indoors in pots. A little patience and some refrigerator or garage space to provide the necessary dark pre-chilling period (8-14 weeks, 38-45ºF) that Mother Nature provides outdoors will brighten February days.
6. There is a strong case for planting spring-blooming bulbs as a source of food for bees. As homeowners remove dandelions from lawns, bulbs offer alternatives to bees.
7. Bulbs are easily grown in amended garden soil, and many are deer and rodent resistant.

Consider visiting our Sale Preview page to see what bulbs are being offered during our online sale August 1-14.

DBS Produces Gardens on Tour Slide Show

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 22:41:02 GMT

While the Durango Botanical Society (DBS) has canceled its 2020 Gardens on Tour out of consideration for public safety, garden lovers can now see stunning photos of many of the same gardens online. DBS has produced a slide show featuring the 2020 gardens on our You Tube channel. View the show by clicking here. These same gardens will be on our 2021 Tour as all the homeowners have agreed to reopen their gardens for next year’s tour! Take a moment to view some of the area’s most colorful and well-designed gardens and we look forward to seeing you in June of 2021.

Please Consider a Donation

The DBS Gardens on Tour is one of our most enjoyable AND important fundraisers. While our all-volunteer organization puts in many hours tending the gardens, we still need funds to purchase supplies, plants, etc. We would be so grateful if you could manage to make a general donation at this time. If you wish to make a donation, go to our Donate tab.

2020 Bulb Sale Will Be 'On', Online

Bill LeMaire — Sat, 20 Jun 2020 16:11:33 GMT

The following post is submitted by Melanie Palmer, curator of the Durango Botanic Gardens. She will continue to update us on this year's bulb sale.

As is the case for most nonprofits in the area, the Durango Botanic Gardens have been hit hard by COVID 19 restrictions and have had to cancel all of this year’s fundraising events. However, we have found a way to make the annual bulb sale happen! This year’s sale will be held in an online “store” on our website: www.durangobotanicgardens.org. We will be offering the same high-quality bulbs that you have come to expect, from our premium supplier in Holland: daffodils, crocus, hyacinth, rock garden iris, tulips and MORE! Bulbs are the most cost-effective perennial there is, and they are great for pollinators!

This is how it will work: the online store will be open August 1-8. This is a limited window, so be sure to mark your calendars NOW. There will be colorful pictures of all of the offerings for pre-order and pre-payment.* Bulbs will be shipped from Holland and packaged for our customers for pickup at the Durango Farmer’s Market on October 17, in perfect time for fall planting, with all the instructions you will need. Additional pickup locations are being determined.

NEW THIS YEAR! Due to popular demand, we will be offering peony roots from a premium farm in the US in gorgeous shades of red, coral, white, and pink for immediate fall planting. Quantity will be limited, so you will want to place your entire order as soon as you can.

BONUS! Free bulb fertilizer for orders of 50 or more bulbs!

We appreciate our many loyal customers over the past years. Your support is more important than ever in helping us to go forward with maintaining our beautiful gardens and our ambitious plans for future development of the areas around the Library. Let your friends know, and DO NOT MISS OUT this year!

*If a bulb from the online store becomes unavailable from the suppliers, DBG reserves the right to substitute a bulb that is as closely similar as possible.

Below, clockwise, beginning with upper left: Cool Crystal Tulips, Candy Princess Daffodil, Sweet Invitation Oriental Hyacinth, Blue Magic Dutch Iris.

No Tours, No Problem...There's an App for That!

Bill LeMaire — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 18:51:33 GMT

The Durango Botanic Gardens (DBG) developed and launched a web application, an “app,” in 2019 designed to help visitors tour the gardens on their own. While there is currently no app icon to load onto your mobile device, members, visitors, and others can either go to dubg.oncell.com or scan a QR symbol (see below). Since its 2019 introduction, the app has improved in numerous ways, including the recent addition of a Junior Botanist Challenge. This feature enables youngsters to answer questions about the gardens, collect badges, and earn a Junior Botanist designation.

Upon accessing the app, visitors will find each of the gardens listed, including diagrams and a comprehensive list of plants, trees, and shrubs in each garden. See a plant or other item you like or want to know more about? With just a few swipes or clicks the visitor will have a photo of the plant and information such as its scientific name, growing zones, sun/water needs, mature height and width.

The app was the brainchild of former Executive Director Cindy Smart, who wanted the Gardens to embrace new technology that offered an enhanced experience. She drew her inspiration from the way this technology is used at museums, larger gardens, historic sites, and National Parks.

"Cindy also wanted detailed garden information available to visitors outside of regular docent tour hours,” says the Gardens' Curator, Melanie Palmer. “Especially during this stay-at-home, safer-at-home moment, when our docents are not leading tours, it enables people and families to get out of the house and do something together in our gardens or simply try it at home or in school,” she adds. While she hopes the app will enhance the garden experience for visitors and encourage support of the Gardens, she and the Durango Botanical Society (DBS) strongly recommend and support current COVID-19 safety measures such as social distancing, wearing masks, and other prudent measures.

Melanie Palmer, John Anderson, Cindy Smart, and Shirlee Krantz all contributed to developing the app and the team continues to explore ways to improve it. Krantz, in particular, was instrumental in developing the new Junior Botanist Challenge and cleaning up some technical issues. “It is still a developmental product,” says Krantz, “but it is already functional, informative, and a major step forward in engaging with visitors and the community.”

Palmer encourages DBS members to give the app a try and offer feedback. “We do understand that it’s still early days for this application so the more we learn about what is working and what needs improvement, the more useful it will be.”

While the focus is currently on making the application more user-friendly and easier to navigate, the app team also has its sights set on additional, exciting features that can further customize the garden experience for visitors. The group also hopes to encourage advertising and sponsorships on the app to offset costs.

If you give the app a test run, the DBS app team would appreciate your feedback. Go to dubg.oncell.com or use the QR symbol above. Send comments, suggestions to dbgfeedback@gmail.com.

2020 Gardens on Tour Canceled in Interest of Community Safety

Bill LeMaire — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 02:36:19 GMT

One of the most anticipated events on the 2020 gardens and horticultural calendar, the Gardens on Tour (GoT), produced by the Durango Botanical Society (DBS), is canceled, according to Connie Markert, chair of the tour committee. Markert says the DBS board voted for cancelation of the 2020 event, rather than postponement, at its April board meeting. The decision was driven by concern for threats from COVID-19 for both garden hosts and tour attendees.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we have taken this decision,” says Markert. “With the pandemic still evolving and its path difficult to predict, the health and safety of our visitors, homeowners, and the community-at-large must be our priority.” Markert emphasizes, however, that the Durango Botanic Gardens at the library will remain open and remain maintained by its corps of volunteers. “What better time,” she adds, “to visit our gardens and remember the resilience of nature and remind us that we are resilient as well.”

While the physical tour has been canceled for this year, the GoT Committee is exploring a variety of ways to connect the community to its public gardens as well as the private gardens scheduled for the 2020 tour. DBS will communicate those plans through its website and emails. Images below from the 2019 GoT.

Spring Bulbs Signal Rebirth of our Gardens, Us

Bill LeMaire — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 17:48:15 GMT

When we planted our bulbs last fall, we did so in a different world than we experience now. However, just in time to remind us of the promise of rebirth and regeneration, gardens around La Plata County are springing to life with crocuses, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and all manner of bulbs, corms and other harbingers of spring. Maybe they've been doing this for years or maybe they're new--purchased last fall at the Durango Botanical Society's annual bulb sale. Whichever, they're back and more welcome than ever!

Carol Wallace, DBS board member, sent some photos of her newly muscari paradoxum and daffodils, seen on the home page (the first two on left). The red Emperior Tulips on the right are from Bill LeMaire's yard. If any of our members have photos of their own spring beauties, send them to Bill LeMaire, DBS website administrator, for a possible slideshow. If possible, please identify the plants and owner's name, otherwise we'll just admire them for their appearance. Send to bill.lemaire@gmail.com.

Just in Time, It's Peak Crocus Time

Bill LeMaire — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 16:07:16 GMT

If sheltering-in-place, social distancing, and other pandemic remedies are getting you down, look outside. You'll likely see a smattering of those little harbingers of spring--crocuses or croci if you prefer--braving the last of the winter storms to make their perennial appearance.

Mike Smedley, a bulb enthusiast and perennial supporter of our Durango Botanic Gardens, is excited to welcome "peak crocus" to his yard. Mike writes that crocus are beginning to appear in his yard and now's the time to get out and appreciate this little genus of the iris family.

At left, Crocus chrysanthus, also known as "Goldilocks," one of Mike's favorites and one of the first to bloom in early winter. In the evening, as the sun goes down, they exhibit a dark purplish-brown feathering. "The toughness of bulbs still astounds me," he adds.

This weekend, and most weekends, you'll find Mike at 3090 E. 4th Avenue maintaining vigil over his bulbs and other plants.

DBS, Coronavirus Pandemic, and Upcoming Events

Bill LeMaire — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 21:58:39 GMT

A message from John Anderson, president, Durango Botanical Society...

Following the guidance of our public health agencies, The Durango Botanical Society (DBS) recognizes the need to increase social distancing at the present time. This may include the postponement or cancellation of a variety of upcoming DBS events. Those decisions will continue to be guided by public health recommendations. As many of you know, both the Durango Public Library and the Recreation Center are closed at least until May 10.

Accordingly, we have found it necessary to cancel a number of upcoming events, including "Astounding Plants of the Mediterranean," originally scheduled for March 26 and “Pollinators in the Garden," originally scheduled for April 18. We will abide by the City of Durango guidance and policies regarding events at these locations.

Please check our web site often at www.durangobotanicgardens.org for updates that will be shown on the events tab at our web site. If you are currently registered for scheduled events you will receive an e-mail specific to the event as we know more about changes to the City of Durango policy for public gatherings at these or other locations.

Remember: The Durango Botanic Gardens are open year around to enjoy throughout this pandemic. Thank you for your support as we continue our work of creating public gardens in the city of Durango.

John Anderson, President, Durango Botanical Society

A good source for information on the COVID-19 coronavirus is the San Juan Basin Public Healh website

Exploring the Crucial, But Threatened, World of Invertebrates

Bill LeMaire — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 22:56:49 GMT

Melanie Palmer, Curator of Durango Botanic Gardens (DBG), recently attended the Colorado Home and Garden Show, February 28, 2020 AND the Colorado Native Plant Society Conference: Landscaping with Colorado Native Plants, February 29, in Denver. The Colorado Garden Foundation uses funds raised at the Home and Garden Show for grants to various projects around the state. The Durango Botanic Gardens has been the recipient of three such grants in the past. Following is Melanie’s observations on both events…

The Colorado Home and Garden Show had many themed garden displays, but the highlight was the educational display by Colorado Master Gardeners, specifically Arapahoe County Master Gardeners, with papier mâché displays of beneficial and harmful insects. (Shown in the photos)

CONPS Landscaping with Natives Conference

This is the fifth straight year that this conference has sold out. There were at least 425 attendees. The presentations will be uploaded to the CONPS.org site. All registrants received ONE of their 5 regional planting guides. All of these guides are available on their website.

The keynote speaker was Scott Hoffman Black of the Xerces Society, named after the first butterfly genus to go extinct in the US, and dedicated to invertebrate conservation. Xerces.org has many downloadable resources. Many important takeaways from Dr. Black's presentation and four other presentations:

Alarming decreases in invertebrates all over the planet: (99% decline of Western monarch butterflies, 70% decrease in invertebrate biomass in Germany over the last 20 years studied, 28% of bumble bee species in North America are threatened, aquatic stoneflies, crabs and snails threatened)
95% of songbirds rear young on invertebrates
85% of flowering plants require insect pollination

Threats are coming from:

Habitat loss
Habitat degradation (grazing, mowing, fires)
Pesticide use
Diseases (esp in bumblebees)
Climate change
Escaped biocontrols

Some ideas for helping: (Includes many ideas from several of the other presenters)

DO NOT USE PESTICIDES
Think about the needs of individual animals and their life history, the animals at the bottom of the food chain. WRT butterfly gardens, plants like lantanas, zinnas, butterfly bush, cosmos, and the like may attract ADULT butterflies, but do NOTHING for critical butterfly egg laying, larvae production etc. Cater to the CATERPILLARS more than the adult butterflies. Learn to distinguish between desirable and harmful (CSU Fact Sheets)
Restoration is good, but preservation of existing habitat is better—even simple things like changing highway mowing practices.
Maximize the diversity of native flora by managing vegetation in natural areas.
Plant bee lawns (low-growing flowers with some bare space for ground nesting bees)
70% of plant biomass in your yard should be native in order to support birds—birds need soft-bodied insects to feed their young, NOT bird feeders, although birdfeeders in winter are very helpful
Non-native plants do not support the bottom of the food chain as well; alien ornamentals support 29X less biodiversity than natives.
Curb carbon footprint
Educate people on the beauty of native plants
Provide water for birds
Provide a variety of structure: Trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses. Group plants that bloom at one time together and have something in bloom for as long as possible. Don’t tidy your gardens in fall (except for removal of diseased plants)
Build pollinator meadows for business campuses instead of lawns.
MAKE NATIVE PLANTS MORE AVAILABLE TO THE AVERAGE PERSON, AND EASY TO GROW
Start small – convert 10% of your lawn
Educate people about the possibilities that rooftop gardens and rain gardens can have on heat islands
Use multiple strategies

Locally native vs. native CULTIVARS: no conclusive research except for some butterflies and caterpillars. Natives are superior to cultivars, BUT AVILABILITY IS A BIG ISSUE.

There are many free resources available on what to plant, especially at the conps.org website, and many resources on the garden design process at extension.colostate.edu

News to Use: DBS Members Save; Public Gardens Conference; Library Survey

Bill LeMaire — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 22:22:04 GMT

DBS Members Save on Visits to AHS Gardens

Camilla Potter, Durango Botanical Society (DBS) member and president of the Mountain Thyme Herb Society, is just one of a number of DBS members who have taken advantage of DBS’ membership in the American Horticultural Society(AHS). Camilla and her husband, Dave, a former president of DBS, recently visited the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix for free, a savings of $50, thanks to AHS’s reciprocal admissions program. This program permits DBS members to visit any of AHS’s 333-plus member gardens across the country for either free or greatly reduced admission.

Scenes from the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix

Learn more about the American Horticultural Society and its reciprocating benefits here

And, you can only make use of this perk if you have your DBS membership card. Join or renew here

American Public Gardens Conference, June 22-26, Portland, OR

“Crafting Gardens for a Changing World,” is the title of the 2020 conference of the American Public Gardens Association, of which the Durango Botanical Society is a member. The conference will take place June 22-26 in Portland, OR and include 72 sessions, 11 workshops, and 17 tours. Presentations will focus on the role and future of public gardens, especially in urban environments.

For more on the conference, registration and hotel information, visit the APGA website

Take the Durango Public Library Online Survey

DBS members have an opportunity to help its library partner by taking an online survey. The library staff, supported by the Library Advisory Board and the Friends of the Library, is seeking public input on usage of the library.

The results of the survey will be especially important in helping Durango City Council decide on extending library hours and reopening the library on Sundays. “A little over ten years ago, during the 2008-2010 economic plunge,” says Bill LeMaire, chair of the LAB, “the library agreed to sacrifice being open on Sundays to help city finances.” He adds that the board members of that time tell him this was considered a temporary measure to be restored within a few years. Ten years later, however, the library is still closed on Sundays with restricted hours on some weekdays.

DBS members can help provide input that will guide the library and the city council on reestablishing Sunday hours. The more people visiting the library the more opportunity for people to see our gardens, learn from them, and hopefully considering donating.

The survey is live on Durango's virtual city hall, March 4 at https://bit.ly/3a6jgEy

No Bloomin' Way! A Fall Crocus in January?

Bill LeMaire — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 16:15:49 GMT

Mike Smedley, vice president of Bank of the San Juans, Action Line columnist for the Durango Herald, winner of the Durango Chamber of Commerce's Ultimate Participation Award, and strong supporter of the Durango Botanic Gardens shared this item with us about a late January surprise in his yard...

Something gardeners might be interested in...blooms in January! Here is a shot from the last day of January. I was outside looking around, being grumpy because gardeners are grumpy in January, when I spied something in the tawny buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides). I thought it was some trash. Think again. I had a fall blooming crocus in January!

This is Crocus speciosus, from northern and central Turkey, the Caucusus Mountains, northern Iran and Crimea. I don't know why this is not grown more. It's a great corm. In any case, in normal conditions, this geophyte blooms around Halloween or a week later. This year was not normal. Spring was incredibly cool. Summer came late. We had hard freezes very early, and this was probably one of the shortest growing seasons in history for a place that has normally short growing seasons. In any case, the later blooming fall crocus didn't bloom this year. I shrugged it off. But when the weather started warming as it did in late January, I'll be damned. They bloomed. What a treat. Nature always finds a way.

News Roundup: Climate Change, Denver Botanic Gardens Raises Entrance Fees, American Horticultural Society

Bill LeMaire — Sun, 12 Jan 2020 22:19:13 GMT

Durango Botanic Gardens to Produce Conference on Climate Change

The Durango Botanic Gardens (DBG) will produce a landmark conference on May 16 at the Durango Public Library entitled Adapting Landscapes in the Four Corners to Changing Climates.

A full program and registration form will be emailed to DBG members in mid-February, says Bill LeMaire, chair of the conference. Among the current headliners, he says, are former state climatologist, Nolan Doesken, and Ross Shrigley, executive director of influential Plant Select program. LeMaire says the program will examine recent climate science to project what the Four Corners can expect in terms of changing climates as well as providing practical strategies and ideas for homeowners who wish to adapt their gardens, yards, plant selection, and irrigation techniques to these evolving and often unpredictable climate shifts.

Barbara Johnson, Carol Wallace, Melanie Palmer, Hollis Hassenstein, and Annette LeMaire round out the conference committee. The committee is currently pursuing corporate and other institutional sponsors for the meeting. For more on sponsorships, contact Barbara Johnson at bjohnson283@msn.com or LeMaire at blemaire@icloud.com.

Increase in fees at Denver Botanic Gardens

Next time Durangoans visit the Denver Botanic Gardens they will pay a little more for admission, according Denver’s ABC affiliate Channel 7 News. The increase—a little over 10%--will, for example, boost the ticket for an adult to 15.00 from the current $12.50. Similar increases will impact ticket pricing for students, seniors, and children 3-15 years old. This is the first time the Botanic Gardens has raised its ticket prices in 10 years. Denver City Council approved the change.

The price increase was necessary, according to the Botanic Gardens, to pay down debt resulting from the building of a new parking garage.

American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Program

The Durango Botanic Gardens (DBG) is a member of the American Horticultural Society which, in turn, enables our members to visit and tour other AHS member gardens either free or at substantial discounts.

We recently updated our information at the AHS website. So whenever you are traveling around the country and wondering if there is an AHS garden in that area, check out their website at https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/rap/

A Rosy Greeting from Flagstaff

Bill LeMaire — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 18:36:43 GMT

This post submission is from Carol Chicci, a certified Master Gardener of the Coconino Master Gardener Association. She, has grown roses in Phoenix, AZ, for 15 years and for 16 years in Flagstaff, AZ. She is a member of the Denver Rose Society, the American Rose Society, and, we are pleased to say, the Durango Botanical Society. We expect to be carrying other articles from Carol in 2020. She can be reached via email at mtngardener07@gmail.com.

I have had the privilege of volunteering in the Olivia White Hospice Garden here in Flagstaff since I became a master gardener in 2014. I supervise the care of the 70 roses, 45 varieties, within this beautiful perennial garden which lies at 7,000 feet below the San Francisco Peaks, just 60 miles south of the Grand Canyon.

We face many of the same challenges you do gardening at high altitude: an arid climate, a late and cold spring, and a short growing season. I reach out to other southwest gardeners in Denver and Santa Fe who also raise roses at almost 7,000 feet and in arid climates, sharing what I have learned in my 16 years of growing roses in Flagstaff. I seek what you have learned also.

My husband and I visit Durango yearly, and have seen your ‘Rosie the Riveter’ floribundas. You have planted them, I understand, to honor American women for all the good they have done over the decades. May they flourish for you.

It has been a very exciting year for me. Our drought abated, with a very wet and late spring. However, our monsoon, which generally occurs between the Fourth of July and mid-September, produced no rain. This absence of moisture during the height of our growing season is very unusual, and it affected the roses. The hospice roses and my roses, most of which are repeat blooming, bloomed weeks late, and then all at once with only a scant repeat bloom.

Also, the deer browse the roses more severely during these extremely dry periods. They even dig under the water rings around the hospice roses for the moisture that has soaked into the mulch.

Rose gardening is challenging, but doable, here in Flagstaff. Many of the hospice roses are over ten years old. I look forward to sharing what is happening in the rose gardens of Flagstaff, and learning what is new with your roses. Seen below is the hospice’s ‘Falstaff’ rose, which displayed an extremely heavy bloom, but with flowers that had fewer petals and open hearts, instead of the usual David Austin frilly inner petals.

The Falstaff Rose in full bloom

2019 Bulb Sale a Bloomin' Success!

Bill LeMaire — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 23:55:01 GMT

The Bulb Sale Committee ordered nearly 11,000 bulbs this year and sold over $7,000 worth of bulbs for a big, successful effort. The sale took place at the County Fairgrounds this year on Saturday, October 19, and was preceded by the pun-laden, highly informative remarks of Mike Smedley, an executive with the Bank of the San Juan’s, but perhaps better known around town as the author of the Herald’s popular Action Line column.

Now that you’ve purchased an armful of bulb packages, make sure you visit our web site tab, Bulb Sale Tips for suggestions on how to plant them.

Want more bulbs? The Bulb Sale Committee and others will be selling some surplus bulbs at three locations this week: Pine River Library (Tuesday, October 22, beginning at 5:45pm), Aztec Farmers’ Market (Wednesday, October 23, beginning at 4:00 pm, 1409 W Aztec Blvd) and the Durango Farmers’ Market (Saturday, October 28).

Congratulations to the Bulb Sale Committee: Bett Clark, Melanie Palmer, Jill Salka, Jill Hoehlein, Julie Cummings, Donna Albright, Connie Markert, Anita Albright, and Barb Johnson. And check out our Bulb Sale slide show on the home page...

DBS Donates to Durango Fire Protection District

Bill LeMaire — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 15:44:30 GMT

The Durango Botanical Society (DBS) dedicated its 2019 Gardens on Tour to local firefighters for their work in taming last summer's 416 fire. As part of this dedication, DBS announced it would donate 10% of its tour proceeds to the Durango Fire Protection District (DFPD). During the tour, a number of firefighters were available at tour gardens to answer questions on fire mitigation or simply provide general information on home fire protection and safety.

In fulfillment of that dedication, John Anderson, President of DBS presented a check in the amount of $526 to DFPD Fire Marshall Karola Hanks on October 11, 2019. Anderson thanked Hanks, the DFPD and all of those who participated in the DBS Gardens on Tour, allowing DBS to recognize local firefighters with this donation.

John Anderson, DBS President, presents a donation check for $526 to Karola Hanks, DFPD Fire Marshall.

Rosie the Riveter Garden Dedicated to Can-Do Women

Bill LeMaire — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 16:16:43 GMT

The Durango Botanical Society (DBS) was founded by a woman. The DBS board of directors is almost entirely comprised of women. On any given Saturday morning in the spring, summer, and fall dozens of DBS women can be found tending to the Durango Botanic Gardens surrounding the Durango Public Library. It’s only natural, then, that DBS’s newest partnership is with another group of can-do men and women, the National Spirit of ’45/Rosie the Riveter Memorial Rose Garden campaign, an organization dedicated to recognizing the contributions and influence of women in American society through that cultural icon of World War II, Rosie the Riveter. (Be sure to see photos below.)

On Saturday, September 14, 2019 the Durango arm of the Spirit of ’45 officially dedicated a new rose garden in a section of the Durango Botanic Gardens near the new Mountain Thyme Society Sundial. The rose garden, currently comprised of five Floribunda rose plants, was planted-by and will be maintained by a team of Spirit of ’45 volunteers, including four Master Gardeners certified by Darrin Parmenter, director, CSU Extension Office. Speakers said the garden will remind and reflect upon the contributions and influence ofwomen in the WWII war effort; it will also act as a reminder to current and future generations of young women that they have more social and cultural power than they might imagine.

Approximately 25 people, including Durango Mayor Melissa Youssef, Chair of the LaPlata County Board of Commissioners Julie Westendorff, DBS President John Anderson, local girl scouts, and gardeners joined in the dedication event. The ceremony was led by Judy Winzell, Co-Chair along with husband Jim Winzell, of the National Spirit of ’45 and Rosie the Riveter Memorial Garden of Colorado Congressional District 3. The Spirit of ’45 Durango is described as a coalition of organizations that currently includes the Durango Public Library, DBS, Durango Girl Scouts, Colorado Girl Scouts, Blue Star Mothers, the Durango Herald, and a number of local businesses and individuals.

Judy Winzell says the goal of the Rosie the Riveter program project is to have a “Rosie” garden located in every congressional district in the United States. Durango is the second city in Colorado to establish a garden, the other located in Fort Collins. A third garden is planned for the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

John Anderson, president of DBS, said in his dedication remarks that DBS believes strongly in the transformational power of gardens. That is why, he added, when Judy and Jim Winzell approached DBS with their idea for a Rosie rose garden,the board of directors was delighted to make the space available for the Rosie garden.

There are other, personal connections between DBS and Rosie the Riveter. Noelle Bryant, currently a sophomore at Durango High School, is the granddaughter of one of DBS’s most steadfast volunteers, Gail Lauter. When attending Miller Middle School Noelle produced a project for National History Day with Rosie the Riveter as her focus. Noelle won special distinction for her work, which culminated in a performance, with Noelle portraying a WWII factory worker. She won a regional competition and then represented Miller Middle School in the state finals in Denver, the first time the school had a student reach that level. Noelle says the project helped her gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the role women played in the WWII war effort as well as the central role they continue to play in our society.

Upper left, Judy Winzell leads garden celebrants in flexing "Rosie" muscle; upper right, Winzell greets a local "Rosie," Shelly Hartney. Below left, the Rose Garden team, (l-r), Sara Carver, Winzell, Katie Killinen, Al Springer, Maddy Marquardt, and Jim Lyman. Below right, Noelle Bryant presents her award-winning characterization of Rose the Riveter. (Click on any photo above to enlarge)

Friends of the Library Tour Gardens

Bill LeMaire — Sat, 14 Sep 2019 21:13:53 GMT

A number of members of the The Friends of the Library (FOL) joined a special ‘thank you’ tour of the Durango Botanic Gardens on September 10, 2019. The FOL, with nearly 600 members, has been a generous benefactor in support of the gardens, most recently donating $15,000 toward the development of the new Arboreta.

Bett Clark and Theresa Anderson, Durango Botanical Society docents, led the tour. Clark was the resource for the Demonstration, Crevice, and Gabbro Miniature Conifer Gardens. The tour group was especially intrigued by her comments about the Plant Select® Crambe Maritima, commonly known as Curly Leaf Sea Kale. All of this plant is edible, including the flowers, leaves, and roots; it was listed in Thomas Jefferson’s Garden Book from 1809 and was known to be eaten by sailors on long sea voyages for its vitamin C content, an antidote to scurvy.

Theresa Anderson was the tour guide for the Mountain Thyme Sundial, The Rosie the Riveter and the Arboreta Garden, which includes the Gabbro Miniature Conifer Garden, The Cindy Smart Miniature Tree Garden and the Arboreta. Anderson described the gardens as not only as a beautiful place to visit, but as a place where the community can go to see trees of all sizes that could be suitable for their home landscapes. DBS worked with the City Arborists to choose trees that are underutilized in our area. The “Tree Guide for the Arboreta”, which is available in the DBS display case in the library is a great resource, she explained, for homeowners to find the trees that they might like in their own landscapes.

Shelly Oxhandler, president of FOL, was impressed with the all-volunteer effort that has built and maintained the gardens. "We had a great time, all of us learning things we didn't know about the gardens, plants and trees. The DBS has done such a wonderful job and should be very proud of their hard work. They have brought so much beauty to our Library and to the City of Durango. There is something for everyone here! Thank you Bett and Theresa for an amazing tour."

Bett Clark (far right) discusses the Demonstration Garden. She is joined here by (l-r), Theresa Anderson, DBS docent, FOL board member Judy Griffiths, Jan Turner, Jill Turner, FOL President Shelly Oxhandler, and FOL board member Debbie Fry.

DBS Founder Cindy Smart Honored At Member Party

Bill LeMaire — Sun, 11 Aug 2019 22:45:51 GMT

The following appeared in the Durango Herald, August 10, 2019 reporting that the Durango Botanical Society had dedicated and named its new gardens the Cindy Smart Miniature Tree Garden. The new gardens are just north of the library. Ms. Smart retired as executive director of DBS in 2019. The article was written by Bret Hauff of the Herald.

Cindy Smart credits her passion for plants to her grandfather.

The man loved gardening, she said. So much so that he roamed the southern coast of Lake Michigan cultivating property in and around Beverly Shores, Indiana, that he did not own. He called his creations “public gardens,” Smart said.

She remembers helping him one day – she was 6 and her arms were covered in blood from working with rose bushes – when a man approached and said, “‘Hey, you can’t do this. This is my property.’

“My grandfather said to him, ‘Well, you’re not using it,’” Smart said on the patio of Durango Public Library. The Durango Botanical Society on Saturday dedicated the Cindy Smart Miniature Tree Garden flanking the library to the north.

“It’s created a welcoming outside environment,” Sandy Irwin, director of Durango Public Library, said of the Botanical Society’s work in the last eight years. “Libraries and gardens go so well together.”

Durango Public Library, which the Durango Botanical Society wrapped with gardens, didn’t exist where it does now in 2007, when the idea sparked in Smart’s mind, she said.

And she wasn’t afraid to ask for help. Smart sold dozens of talented and eager people on her public garden idea and, in 2011, they got to work. If you asked her, she may deflect the credit to those who supported her throughout creating the Botanical Society.

“An idea took possession of her,” board president John Anderson said of Smart’s early work to start Durango Botanical Society. “This dedication is in honor of her work, vision and commitment.”

She recognized others’ talents and was candid about her need for help, “and you know what, that works,” Smart said. When people joined, she gave them “free rein to use their talents without micromanaging,” she said.

But she kept things organized – keeping people invested by giving them a goal without telling them how to achieve it. It empowered people, she said.

“They are very invested,” Smart said. “We picked these plants.”

Her grandfather was more of a creative and a risk-taker – planting what he wanted, where he wanted, she said.

Smart said she’s more organized and orderly, and that shows in how she adopted and adapted her grandfather’s “public gardening” concept though legal and institutional means rather than defiant and rebellious ones.

“I’m getting older – I’m in my 70s now – and I just need to take care of some things. This was a full-time job,” she said of forming and running the Durango Botanical Society. “Part of it was being a teacher, but then I became part student. That’s when I know it’s time to let them do their thing.”

Cindy Smart addresses the DBS Membership and Community Appreciation Party on August 10.

Facing Up to Climate Change at Plant Select® Annual Meeting

Bill LeMaire — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 16:27:11 GMT

Melanie Palmer, Durango Botanic Gardens Curator, and Patsy Ford, one of the Durango Botanical Society’s newest docents and board member of The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado attended the Plant Select® annual meeting June 11, 2019 at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Plant Select, a consortium of Colorado State University, the Denver Botanic Gardens and cooperating commercial nursery partners, the program sources and promotes plants designed to thrive in high plains and intermountain regions. There are currently 60 Plant Select Demonstration Gardens in Colorado, including the Durango Botanic Gardens. DBG was recognized for its outstanding work in the program with the Golden Shovel award in 2016. DBS has planted 70 new plants this year in the gardens, some Plant Select plants as well donations from DBG Alpine Curator Mike Kintgen.

Palmer and Ford remarked upon several presentations, including those of David Salman, chief horticulturalist and founding member of Plant Select, who emphasized the importance of songbirds, hummingbirds, and pollinating insects in a landscape design. Salman shared a variety of strategies aimed at how to keep these pollinators working in your yard all season.

An especially topical message came from Scott Denning, Monfort Professor of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University. Denning reduced the climate change discussion to its barest essentials: When earth absorbs more heat than it emits, the climate warms. With a steady depletion of planet’s ozone shield which protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation, entire regions of the earth could face catastrophic changes in climate and, therefore, growing conditions.

In photos above, at left Scott Denning delivers his presentation on climate change, at right, Patsy Ford, Melanie Palmer of DBS with Ross Shrigley, director of Plant Select.

For example, warmer average temperatures, the kind we are experiencing almost annually now, are associated with dramatic increases in the frequency of extremely hot weather. Warmer air evaporates more water from soils and vegetation, so even if precipitation doesn’t change, the demand for water will increase with warmer temperatures, according to Denning. Policies that realistically confront what the science of climate change is revealing to us is essential, says Denning, because the consequences of unchecked climate change to the global economy are simply unacceptable. Foremost, those policies must require the development of energy efficiency and the rapid deployment of non-fossil fuel energy systems.

Economically, says Denning, the clean energy transition required to address climate change will almost certainly be expensive, perhaps involving roughly one percent of the global economy. (Ed. Note: Many estimates of the size of the world economy place the number at $87 trillion or roughly $87 billion.) But while that financial commitment is large, Denning points out, it’s not that much out of line with previous economic transformations and dislocations, noting that previous investments in indoor plumbing, rural electrification, the global internet and mobile telecommunications also paid huge dividends to society. “Our descendants will live better lives if we develop and improving their infrastructure just as our ancestors did,” says Denning.

Melanie Palmer says what impressed her about the Denning remarks was that he was not preaching deprivation, shaming, or the demonizing of fossil fuel producers and users, but simply urging the expanding use of technologies we already have to begin a transition from burning fossil fuels.

For more on Denning’s thoughts, strategies for dealing with climate change, to go www.Simple.Serious.Solvable.org

For more on Plant Select®, including soon the Plant Select® items for 2020, visit https://plantselect.org

Nancy Peake, Sari Ross Honored with Bookcase Stone, Tree Dedications

Bill LeMaire — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 20:40:36 GMT

Bayard Peake has purchased a bookcase stone for his wife, Nancy, to commemorate the couples’ fifty years of marriage. Nancy, a longtime supporter of the library, is currently a member of the board of the Friends of the Library and is former president of that organization. Many of the couple’s extended family were present for the informal dedication of the stone. Nancy’s name is inscribed on the bookcase stone and displayed on one of the steel shelves holding bookcase stones in the Demonstration Garden.

In another personal tribute, Richard Ballantine, chairman of the board of Ballantine Communications, has purchased a tree, a Star Magnolia, in the new Arboretum to the north of the library, as a memorial for Sari Goodman Ross, who passed away in 2015 at age 86. Among those attending the tree dedication were Mr. Ballantine, Reid Ross, Sari’s husband of 65 years, Sandy Irwin, director of the library, John Anderson, president of DBS, and Camilla Potter and Theresa Anderson, DBS board members.

Sari was a longtime educator and was popularly known, especially by children in Durango, for her “Sari Tales,” enhanced by puppets, costumes, and books. Ballantine remarked: "With her animated and sometimes costumed story telling, her young and old listeners couldn't help but expand their imaginations, to their joy. Sari's creativity rubbed off on those around her, sending listeners into worlds far away." The tree is now accompanied by a plaque dedicated to Mrs. Ross, which reads: In Memory of Sari Ross, a “Magical Storyteller”.

Below, left, Bayard and Nancy Peake; below, right, Reid Ross (seated), L-R, John Anderson, president of DBS, Sandy Irwin, director, Durango Public Library, and Richard Ballantine, chairman of Ballantine Communications. Click on photos to enlarge.

There are many ways to donate to the Durango Botanic Gardens, for more information on donation opportunities, visit https://durangobotanicalsociety.com/page-1513771

GARDENS-ON-TOUR ROARS BACK, SEES RECORD TURNOUT!

Bill LeMaire — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 20:54:58 GMT

Unseasonably cool weather and threatening skies could not deter garden enthusiasts as they turned out in record numbers for the Durango Botanical Society’s (DBS) 2019 Gardens-on-Tour. The tour was canceled for 2018 as the all-volunteer DBS focused its time and resources on building the new Arboreta on the north side of the library. That turned out to be prescient considering that the devastating 416 Fire subsequently started on June 1, 2018, just weeks ahead of usual June tour date. The delay only whetted the appetite of many. At least one tour participant was heard to say: “I really missed the tour last year; this is where I get my gardening inspiration." (Click photos below for enhancement. Photos courtest of Pete Varney.)

Inspiring it was as a variety of gardens were on tap this year ranging from the smaller, urban sanctuary of Annette and Bill LeMaire in Durango to the expansive properties of Michael and Sandy Bruce at Rancho del Perro Feo and the historic Barr Orchard property owned today by Eric and Alice Foutz. Panoramic views of the Animas valley and a stunning water feature were highlights of the Rick and Jane Anderson property while John and Theresa Anderson showed how a once muddy, new construction lot in Edgemont Highlands could be transformed into a highlands oasis. If you wanted to see how flowers can turn a property into a kaleidoscope of color you enjoyed seeing Kim and Ed Warshauer’s property. Marilee White’s property offered a unique interpretation of the garden aesthetic as “edible landscape,” focusing on fruit trees and other edibles. Much of White’s abundant harvests gets channeled into worthy local causes.

John and Theresa Anderson summed up the feelings of most garden hosts: “For passionate and avid gardeners there is nothing to compare to a day sharing your plants with friends who are committed to creating their own gardens filled with the beauty and vitality of growing things.”

Folks registered for the Tour at the library providing attendees with an opportunity to see the work of the new Arboreta, comprising the Arboretrum of larger trees and shrubs alongside the Miniature Tree Garden, both located immediately to the north of the library.

According to the tour committee of Connie Markert, Carol Wallace, Camilla Potter, Shirlee Krantz, Jill Hoehlein, and Barbara Johnson, 228 people purchased tickets, mostly online but many at the door. In addition to the hours put in by the committee, there were another 27 volunteers working at various gardens.

Additionally, a number of musicians and artists were sprinkled around the seven private gardens on the tour as well as a number of firemen who made themselves available to discuss fire mitigation strategies with homeowners.

Thanks everyone: Attendees, Firefighters, Musicians, Artists, Volunteers, and Hosts!

If the tour whetted your appetite for more gardening inspiration, consider joining the Durango Botanical Society or renewing your membership by visiting our web site’s membership page at https://durangobotanicalsociety.com/page-1513945

IT'S THYME: GARDENS-ON-TOUR RETURNS! JUNE 22

Bill LeMaire — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 01:04:12 GMT

Seven unique, colorful private gardens around LaPlata County are busy putting final touches on their gardenscapes in preparation for over 100 visitors this weekend. The Durango Botanical Society’s Gardens-on-Tour has returned in 2019 and it promises to be one of the best tours yet. Tour registrants will see some of the area’s most interesting home gardens as well as seeing first-hand how our new Arboreta at the library are evolving.

Tour participants will begin their day with registration on the south side portico of the library where they will receive wristbands, in lieu of tickets, brochures and maps and other materials for the gardens they will be visiting. Hoping to alleviate overcrowding at one or two early stops, visitors will be assigned a beginning garden at random.

Durango Botanical Society members have been polishing up their gardens, including the Demonstration Garden, the Crevice Gardens, the Gabbro Miniature Garden and the new gardens comprising the Arboreta on the north side of the library.

Did you know there are hundreds of varieties of thyme? You'll get a hint of this hardy herb's various incarnations with a new addition to the gardens in 2019--a time-keeping sundial decorated with twelve varieties of thyme, one within each of the hourly segments. Above, members of the Mountain Thyme Herb Society stand in front of the Mountain Thyme Clock they have donated to the Durango Botanical Society. The Mountain Thyme Herb Society will also maintain the clock and plantings going forward, perhaps assuring its keeps perfect thyme.

As a tribute to the amazing community service rendered by firefighters during last year’s 416 Fire, DBS will donate 10% of all proceeds to the Durango Fire Protection District. Firemen will be at many gardens to discuss fire mitigation strategies.

We’re just a few days away from this don’t-miss event. Visit our web site now to register for this annual highlight of the gardening calendar https://durangobotanicalsociety.com

Yard Sale Success Nets Funds for DBS

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 30 May 2019 16:18:50 GMT

There’s a little more available space in area garages, attics, and storage units following the Durango Botanical Society’s Yard Sale on May 25. A steady flow of folks found a lot of bargains and DBS raised around $1800 from the efforts of numerous volunteers. T-shirt sales and memberships contributed several hundred dollars more. While funds raised will help enhance the DBS public gardens at the library, the sale also benefited a lot of other folks and organizations. The Volunteers of America selected a number of items that would benefit their clients and the La Plata County Humane Society sent a truck on Saturday to pick up unsold items.

Jenny Nedergaard was the team leader for the sale, ably and tirelessly assisted by DBS members, Barb Johnson, Connie Markert, Melanie Palmer, Camilla Potter, Susan Hannon, Anita Albright, and Lynn Metzlaff.

From Little Seeds...

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 16 May 2019 22:50:28 GMT

The Durango Botanical Society interprets the public education component of its mission broadly. While much of our interaction is with adult gardeners, engaging future gardeners and sustainers of public gardens is equally important. DBS docents give numerous tours of our gardens to school groups throughout the year. However, we also go to schools as well. This is exemplified by our long and fruitful connection with St. Columba Parish School, an independent Catholic school for pre-K through 8^thgrade. Those who walk by the school may have noticed a number of raised bed gardens, tended by the youngsters. Those gardens also provide a fundraising opportunity for the school and DBS docents are very much involved.

When the seed growing project begins, DBS docents explain the parts of the seed and what a seed will need to grow successfully. They also guide the children as they plant their seeds. The children learn to experience the thrill of seeing their work produce handsome seedlings, which also raise money to buy items needed at the parish food pantry.

Art in the Arboreta

Bill LeMaire — Wed, 08 May 2019 21:09:50 GMT

Art has always been an important accompaniment to the Durango Botanic Gardens. Visitors to the Demonstration Garden admire or ask often about the striking blue Puma sculpture or the Thomas Grams Memorial featuring its ravens in flight. Now, visitors to our new Arboreta on the north side of the library are stopping to comment or inquire about our most recent additions to our art program--decorative metal panels. There are currently three metal art panels, fabricated by Bryan Saren of Saren Studios, in the Arboreta.

Saren, shown at left, erected the most recent panel, donated by Annette and Bill LeMaire, on Tuesday, May 7. The panel, designed by Annette LeMaire, depicts a girl reading a book in the crook of a tree. In 2018 DBS members, John and Theresa Anderson, donated a panel in the Miniature Tree Garden. John is president of DBS; Theresa is a DBS board member and docent training coordinator.

The first panel (at left in photo below) to be installed in 2018 was donated by Melanie and Clark Palmer. Melanie is DBS garden curator and docent trainer. The Palmers, representing a family with a long tradition of military service, chose to dedicate their panel “In honor and in memory of United States military veterans and their families.” Melanie adds that she and Clark wanted the panel to honor their military roots. An eagle, soaring protectively over the landscape in the panel, represents the U.S. military guarding our freedoms.

The Anderson’s panel (above, right) was based on an original painting, titled “Glow,” by Durango artist, Annette LeMaire. Working with an image, Saren will fine-tune the artwork so it can be accommodated by his computerized metal cutting machine. This process uses water, laser or plasma to perform the final cut.

The decorative art panels are a new and important way to contribute to the growth and beauty of our gardens. The metal panels are available for a donation of $2500, accompanied by a plaque naming the donors and may include any special memorials, quotes, or passages desired.

For more on donating a decorative metal art panel, contact us at 970-880-4841 or email us at durangobotanical@gmail.com. There are many other ways to donate to our mission of providing amazing public gardens in Durango. For other donation options, go to the Help Us Grow tab.

How Does Your Vegetable Garden Grow?

Bill LeMaire — Thu, 02 May 2019 14:42:11 GMT

When we succeed in the vegetable garden, there’s nothing like it for wholesome, tasty food and, uh, bragging rights. When we fail, well, we can always blame it on the deer, weather, climate change, or a hungry Yeti. Vegetable gardening is especially challenging here in the Four Corners region with rocky, clay-laden soils, big swings in temperature, and a paucity of rain. The key to success with your veggies, says Darrin Parmenter, Horticulturalist and La Plata Extension Director for Colorado State University, is planning and aligning what you plant with what you most want to eat and have time to grow. (Click Read More for full post)

Parmenter was speaking to an audience of over 50 people at the first in the 2019 Great GardenSeries,sponsored by the Durango Public Library, the Durango Botanical Society, and the Colorado State University Extension Office. The next in this Series will be June 5, when Kami Larson talks on “Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs” at the Durango Public Library, 6:00-7:30pm.

Before deep diving into frost schedules, soil temperatures, soil structures, and the merits of raised beds, Parmenter noted an overlooked part of vegetable gardening strategy is planning. For example, what does my summer calendar look like? Your garden can take minor stretches of neglect but not a series of extended trips. So either have a reliable, saintly neighbor or reconsider the size and scope of your plantings. Also, simply grow plenty of what you really like; if four items seem to dominate your summer table, then focus on those items. Volume also might depend on your level of interest in canning or other forms of preservation. Or, perhaps simply donate some of your surplus to many local organizations that feed the hungry.

While most of us keep an eye on atmospheric conditions and temperatures, it is easy to overlook the importance of your garden soil and its condition and temperature, says Parmenter. Sand on the beach, for example, has no structure; veggie gardeners, on the other hand, want soil particles that join together with a kind of crumb-like structure. Adding organic matter is the best way to improve structure.

Parmenter also urges gardeners to pay attention to the temperature of their soil. Taking your soil’s temperature does not necessarily require elaborate equipment, a kitchen meat thermometer can do the trick too. He showed a slide with a variety of soil temperatures aligned with a number of popular vegetables. Getting the soil temperature right for planting is a significant aid to quick germination and getting a healthy vegetable crop. Obtain a copy of this slide and perhaps other slides in his Great Garden Series presentation by emailing him at Darrin.parmenter@colostate.edu. The presentation is also available at http://www.co.laplata.co.us/government/departments/extension_offices_c.s.u.

Parmenter shares vegetable gardening tips with over 50 local gardeners. The Great Garden Series is a collaboration of the Durango Public Library, the Durango Botanical Society, and the CSU La Plata County Extension Office. The next presentation will be June 5 on "Good Bugs vs. Bad Bugs."

DBS Honored by City at Arbor Day Event

Bill LeMaire — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 15:55:42 GMT

The Durango Botanical Society was honored at Durango's 39th Annual Arbor Day Celebration, April 19, 2019, with a plaque presented to John Anderson, president of the Durango Botanical Society. The honor, accorded to Anderson, recognizes him for "Outstanding Service and Commitment to Durango's Urban Forest, 2018." Anderson leads the nearly 100-member Durango organization committed to the advancement of public gardens for the purposes of education and demonstration. The award will soon be displayed in the DBS bookcase in the Durango Public Library.

The Durango Botancial Society (DBS) has built and maintained public gardens at the Durango Public Library since 2011. It's most recent project, The Arboreta, enhances its mission with gardens to the north side of the library. A new mobile app will enable visitors to the garden to look up information on plantings and other features in all the gardens.

In photo below, DBS members join DBS President John Anderson at the city of Durango's Arbor Day Celebration, April 19, where Anderson received an Outstanding Service Award. Shown here are, L-R, DBS docents Tish Varney and Kate Stewart, Connie Markert, treasurer, Theresa Anderson, DBS board member, and John Anderson, president.

DBS Founder Cindy Smart Profiled in Durango Herald

Bill LeMaire — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 23:29:19 GMT

The following, profiling DBS founder and former executive director Cindy Smart, was published in the April 7 edition of the Durango Herald...

Cindy Smart, founder of the Durango Botanical Society, doesn’t shy away from big ideas. While working in California, she wanted to learn to sail, so she built a trimaran. After she became interested in jewelry, she founded an international gem company. She wanted Durango to have public gardens, so she founded a society to build them. (Click Read More for full article...)

“I just never thought there was anything I couldn’t do. So I never see obstacles; I think I always see the end results,” Smart said.

Establishing the botanic gardens outside Durango Public Library was one of her more recent projects. She founded the Durango Botanical Society to build and run the public gardens in 2010 with four volunteer board members and a $1,000 grant. She pitched the gardens to her prospective board members after filing the paperwork to form the botanical society, so she was pleased when they agreed to join the effort. “The right people came together, and we had a very single vision. ... We were able to produce results in a matter of months that the public could actually see,” she said.

Smart, 74, led the society as executive director until January, when she stepped down to become the No. 1 weeder, she said jokingly.

Before founding the society, Smart was a businesswoman who started working when she was 15 as a telephone operator in California. She worked there full-time in high school to help support her family. The job and a ham radio hobby led her to a communications position on a U.S. Army base in Long Beach during the Vietnam War.

From her desk, she watched sailboats in the harbor and decided the only way she would get one was to build it herself. When her trimaran was finished, Smart made her maiden voyage to Hawaii with her husband and their friend. “We were just sure the entire way we were lost,” she said. “You don’t really have confidence in yourself till you have hit land for the first time.”

She sailed quite a bit in her 20s and started selling her handmade jewelry in ports. Someone she met in her travels told her about the Gemological Institute of America, and she later enrolled in the school. Her degree from the institute allowed her to cut gems, appraise jewelry and work with well-known retail stores, such as Tiffany & Co. It also laid the foundation for her business, International Gem Laboratories, a company that imported jewels from Asia. “During those travels, I fell in love with pearls, and that’s what I specialized in,” she said.

In 1981, she moved to Durango and opened two jewelry stores – Quigley’s and La Petite Shop – and continued to run her gem-dealing company. In the late 1980s, Smart and her husband, Jim Smart, decided to buy a mobile glass company. She was in the process of selling International Gem Laboratories, but the sale hadn’t gone through, so the couple maxed out their credit cards to make the purchase. She promised her husband they would make their money back in 60 days, and they did, she said.

Over time, the company evolved into Smart Enterprises, on the corner of Main Avenue and east 14th Street. Smart’s daughter Malaika Mestas now owns the business, which sells glass, spas, hot tubs and other products. Smart continues to run the company’s website and social media, she said.

After stepping back from the company, Smart decided to take classes to become a master gardener. She learned to love gardening as a child working with her grandfather, who built many public gardens. After finishing the classes, a friend offered her a grant to help start the public gardens.

For her, Durango’s gardens are a legacy that can thrive forever and help educate residents about the drought-resistant and climate-appropriate plants to use in their own landscaping. The gardens also provide space to test out plants from around the world to see whether they will acclimate well to the area.

She expects stepping down from the job as executive director will give her more time in the gardens planting, weeding and talking with visitors about the importance of donating to the society so the gardens can be maintained for the next generation.

“I will be more valuable to the organization as a cheerleader,” she said.

Cindy Smart strolls the Demonstration Garden behind the library. The area once littered with building debris was reconceptualized by the Durango Botanical Society as a garden featuring trees, plants, and flowers indigenous to southwestern Colorado.

Choose Your Trees Wisely, Exercise Patience

Bill LeMaire — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 03:17:57 GMT

The key to success with trees and shrubs in your yardscape will take place before you put a shovel in the ground. Plan, ask questions, and choose your trees and shrubs wisely. The ‘wisely’ factor is best translated into asking questions of yourself: Where is this tree going in my yard; What do I want from it in terms of shade, privacy, flowering, bird habitat, etc., etc. Mistakes at the beginning of the tree selection process can last a long time, cost money, and chew up time. These are just a few of the takeaways from the Durango Botanical Society’s recent workshop “Tips for Trees,” attended by over forty people on March 16 at the LaPlata County Fairgrounds. (Click Read More for full report)

Don’t just spray-and-pray

Not all insects and tree diseases are created equal, advised Darrin Parmenter, Horticulturalist and Extension Director for LaPlata County. The seriousness and solutions to insects and diseases will range from largely annoying (leaf spots, aphids, and spider mites) to highly threatening (oystershell scale, cytospora and bark beetles). The level of response depends on where your insect or disease issue fits on this spectrum. One rule of thumb is that harsh chemical solutions are seldom warranted, “don’t just spray-and-pray,” advises Parmenter. For aphids, for example, the mitigation may extend from doing nothing, as in letting natural controls ultimately take care of things, to spraying with a strong jet of water or a soap and water mixture. Cytospora Canker, Colorado’s #1 canker-causer for cottonwood, aspen, willow, spruce, and fruit trees, usually attacks weak or stressed trees and may require substantial pruning and mitigation.

Parmenter advises homeowners first recognize the insect or disease issue they are dealing with, before taking action. In others words, follow the physician’s creed: First do no harm. One of the most misdiagnosed issues is Fireblight, which actually only applies to trees in the Rosaceae or rose family such as apple, pear, and crabapple. A key telltale sign of fireblight is the so-called ‘Shepherd’s crooking’ of leaves (where the tips of the leaf curl inward). While devastating to commercial fruit producers and often treated with a variety of chemicals, homeowners might consider spraying with a 10% bleach solution or by mostly pruning 8-12 inches below the visible infection. Prevention of spreading through timely pruning is the best strategy.

Parmenter warns that one insect issue that could arise this year, owing to an especially wet winter, is the appearance of the tent caterpillar, which is prone to boom or bust population cycles. This pest can be voracious and is probably best identified by their conspicuous silk tents in the branches of host trees.

Bourey Advises Patience and Planning

When locating any tree or shrub, advises Lisa Bourey, landscape designer, horticultural consultant and owner of Passion Flower Farm, consider size, structure, leaves and buds, and the tree’s root system. In practice this means beginning with an evaluation of the mature size of the tree. Unless you’re into high-maintenance, do not plan on pruning to limit a plant’s growth potential. Or, if you’re partial to aspens remember the rhizomatic nature of these trees which can grow into large clonal colonies from a single seedling. Maybe better to enjoy aspens on a mountain hike unless you have a very large yard? Consider, too, the amount of water a tree will require and match that to your situation.

Think of a tree purchase on two levels, says Bourey: Above ground and below ground. How much sun will the tree get/require, does the prospect tree reflect an open branching structure, has it been pruned correctly, is the root system exposed? Below ground factors will include soil type, drainage, and rock content.

Maybe the best advice, Bourey counsels, is to be patient; it may well take a tree or plant 3-5 years to become established but after that settling in period, most plants are hardier than we give them credit for. Another thought on patience is: “Be willing to start small.” Small plants, she says, establish themselves faster and will grow at a more rapid rate than transplanted, larger, more mature plants. And, smaller trees and shrubs are easier to prune. Of course, if a privacy barrier is an important factor, then bigger will be faster and better.

The Tree Whisperer

Few people know Colorado trees as well as David Temple, arborist and owner of Trees of Trail Canyon. Temple is one of the nation’s few board-certified master arborists. The key to a long-lived, healthy tree is training the tree when it’s young and that includes strategic pruning. Pruning is necessary but pruning is both a science and an art, Temple says. “Trees do not heal, their cells only generate, building new cell structures on top of old. Pruning is also ‘wounding’ a tree but with proper pruning, cutting at the right spot, will generate new energy to correct structural problems and produce a healthier, longer-lived tree.

One of the hardest things for home gardeners and landscapers to accept is the efficacy of what Temple calls Rejuvenation Pruning, in effect cutting a flagging shrub or bush down to perhaps 3-6 inches from the ground. While that technique is scary for some homeowners, the rewards in terms of regeneration can be amazing. Temple related a story of pruning a huge lilac with six-inch diameter trunks but fading blooms to just a few inches from the ground; in just two seasons it had burst back to new life with huge, fragrant blooms.

After his remarks on pruning, Temple took the assembly into the Fairgrounds parking lot to demonstrate where and how certain trees should be pruned and the anticipated results. We can’t share all of Temple’s pruning tips here so check out Trees of Trail Canyon on YouTubefor some of his tips on growing, caring for trees. Search for Trees of Trail Canyon or David Temple.

For more information, contact: Darrin Parmenter at Darrin.Parmenter@colostate.edu, Lisa Bourey at passionflowerdurango@gmail.com, and David Temple, trailcanyonranch@gmail.com.

David Temple of Trees of Trail Canyon demonstrates proper pruning techniques to attendees of Durango Botanical Society's "Tips for Trees" seminar.