There are two well known organizations located in the Denver metro area that have been working harmoniously in mission and practice for decades. The Colorado Garden Foundation and the Denver Botanic Gardens have worked together to support Colorado’s horticulture initiatives and education for a combined total of nearly 120 years.
The 59th Annual Garden & Home Show, presented by Bellco, kicks off Feb. 24, 2018 at the Colorado Convention Center. And it’s only fitting that the Botanic Gardens host the Show’s Entry Garden as a longstanding partner, said Jim Fricke, Colorado Garden Foundation executive director.
“Denver Botanic Gardens and Colorado Garden Foundation are two nonprofits with a rich history in horticultural endeavors here in Colorado and in fact, we are both approaching our 60th anniversaries, so it’s an exciting time for us to collaborate,” Fricke continued.
Since 1959 the Colorado Garden Foundation has gifted a lifetime total of more than $320,000 to the Denver Botanic Gardens in support of its science and education programs and facilities. And the Botanic Gardens has worked closely with the Foundation in support of the annual Garden & Home Show, grants and scholarship programs.
The Denver Botanic Garden’s Entry Garden will feature thousands of flowers and plants centered around pollinators with larger than life displays of birds, butterflies, bees and bats among colorful plants and flowers. The garden welcomes visitors to the Show via a walkway made up of pavers painted by students who visited Denver Botanic Gardens this past summer. From there, guests of all ages will enjoy a dragonfly-themed children’s garden; bird nests crafted from recycled pallets; a pergola complete with growing vegetables and farm stand; bee, honeycomb and hive displays; bat houses and more. An antique tractor with a farm stand from the Gardens’ Chatfield Farms location will be the centerpiece, along with four corner pollinator gardens, each focused on a pollinator. Denver Botanic Gardens staff will also be on hand to educate visitors on the importance of pollinators during live theater sessions throughout the nine days of the Show.
The 59th Annual Garden and Home Show runs February 24 to March 4, 2018. Tickets and more information can be found at coloradogardenfoundation.org.
For more information about the Denver Botanic Gardens visit botanicgardens.org.
