Gardens win international recognition for horticulture know-how.
We’ve always known that the Denver Botanic Gardens exudes excellence, but now it's got the proof. The American Public Gardens Association (APGA) recently awarded our horticulture hero the Award for Garden Excellence, beating out over 500 other APGA member institutions across the globe!
The award has been presented since 2003 and is given to public gardens that exemplify the highest standards of horticultural practices. The annual award’s recipient is selected by its peers to show a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.
“These award winners set a professional precedent for other individuals and organizations to follow,” the APGA says.
Criteria to win this award include the best designed and most horticulturally outstanding display, locally and regionally appropriate gardening practices, maintenance of plant collections, and encouraging gardeners through innovative practices, to name a few.
The Denver Botanic Gardens is a 24-acre plant paradise that is home to more than 10,000 species of vegetation in 45 themed gardens. It’s widely known for its water conservation efforts, addressing gardening challenges in Denver’s semi-arid climate and limited annual rainfall.
And the best part? We get to reap the rewards of the garden’s amazing work! It hosts many events for local horticulture enthusiasts, including plant society shows and sales, fall plant and bulb sales, and a wide variety of activities (including awesome fall and holiday activities) at the Chatfield Farms location.
Currently, the York St. location is host to Pixelated: Sculpture by Mike Whiting, an exhibit of sculptures created within the pixelated aesthetic of vintage video games that are featured throughout the gardens’ natural landscapes.
Art: Mike Whiting, "Garden Gnome," 2018. Courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens.
You can visit the gardens during normal hours, or you can behold its wonders for free on Aug. 29 and Nov. 3 at the York St. location and Nov. 6 at the Chatfield Farms location.
What do you think? Have you visited the Botanic Gardens recently? Share your photos/videos with us!
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