I’m very excited about the Denver Botanic Gardens, hence the blog title. How can I not be? Also, people have told me that cursing is a sign of intelligence because it shows you have an increased vocabulary. I don’t know how true that is, although I imagine there’s some truth to it, so everyone take a deep breath if I start cursing more in this blog. It’ll be okay. I promise I’m still a somewhat nice person and am using my curse words as wisely as I can. 😉
So, I’ve been a member of the Botanic Gardens for three years now and, as I say all the time, I still find new little spots or new plants. It’s a magical place. I saw these giant, gorgeous peonies today that made me think of Kaitlin and her yard plans. Look at that beautiful bright pink in the middle of that peony, I mean, could it be any cooler? Also, I saw a massive patch of columbines that made me think of my dad, who just planted yellow ones himself. I’m living slightly vicariously through Kaitlin and my dad these days since they have yards and I don’t. However, I definitely don’t miss me trying to figure out my drip irrigation system. I was never sure at the house if I had it optimized or if I was watering all of my plants the correct amount of water (although most of them survived throughout the years so I did okay) and that caused me a certain amount of stress. Goodbye to that pain!
As I strolled past the flora and fauna, I “oohed” and “aahed” at all of the poppies, as is a requirement for me. They’re a favorite flower of mine, among many, and I always enjoy seeing them. I was never successful growing them at the house, mostly because they need full sun, so it’s a treat to get to see healthy poppies at the gardens. I ran into a poppy this afternoon I don’t remember seeing before, which was neat. It had light pink petals with a crimson stroke in the middle, see picture below. Aren’t flowers and plants just the coolest? Nature and evolution created these beauties and I get to enjoy them? I’m in awe.
What really took me by surprise today was all of the cacti flowers in bloom. I’m not really a cactus fan in general so I didn’t expect to appreciate the blooms as much as I did. But holy moly they came in a variety of pink and orange shades and they were quite breathtaking. Such delicate petals. And so many of them. I still wouldn’t choose a cactus for myself but I did like getting to see them and appreciate them.
I wandered down a little strip of garden at one point where I was completely alone. I stood for maybe five minutes and watched this monarch butterfly. It was just me and her and the plants. What a lovely, peaceful moment. This is what I love about the Denver Botanic Gardens. It’s in the middle of a fairly large city and I still find these small moments of solitude. I sat on a bench for a while and read. Then I meandered over to one of my go to sitting spots by the water lily pond and I ate a chocolate chip muffin I had made prior to heading out. My life is pretty grand and my trip to the gardens today was calming and wonderful. I look forward to going again on a cooler day. Yeah, my summer isn’t going to be too bad at all, is it?
Just Lauren 