Each year, Denver’s parks and parkways are adorned with artfully arranged displays of flowers. Sometimes the flower beds are taken for granted. Other times, people actually do stop to smell the roses. Yet not many people pause to think about what goes into planning each plot.
Every park plant gets its start at the Denver Parks and Recreation’s City Park Greenhouse. The greenhouse is next to the Denver Zoo, across from City Park Golf Course. All of the annuals for Denver’s park system plus some perennials and blooming decorative plants are grown there, most from seeds or cuttings.
A full-time staff of seven works in the greenhouse, led by field superintendent Gary Douglas. Of his 31 years in the horticultural industry, 17 years have been at the greenhouse. He oversees it all, from the budget to the purchase of seed and plant supplies. He also makes sure the parks’ needs match the greenhouse’s production capabilities.
Planning the plantings
The process starts every summer when greenhouse workers set out to plan flower beds for the next year. Seed and starter plants are picked and ordered by fall. Then in January, in the midst of the bitter cold, tiny plants get their start. The flowers make it to the their final homes – in the city’s flower beds – in the spring.
“We are proud to grow many varieties and types of flowers, from heirloom plants to the newest varieties on the market,” Douglas says.
How it works
The city’s parks are divided into six districts. Each district has its own park horticulturist who determines their specific planting scheme and flower choices. They then select from a list of plants available from the greenhouse.
Douglas consults with the horticulturists to make sure the plans are feasible and the flowers are available. Planting and tending are done by park staff and neighborhood volunteers.
“We have traditional bed designs that have been used for decades, but many of our horticulturists come up with creative ideas, and we encourage that,” Douglas says.
“One interesting planting scheme that we do is a ‘flowerless flower bed’ with colorful coleus, ornamental sweet potato and ornamental grasses.”
The horticulturists follow basic guidelines when planning the beds that can apply to the home garden, as well.
If there is one type of flower in a bed, for example, a complimentary or contrasting border usually is added. Light-colored flowers are planted in the shade where their color shows up better, instead of in the sun where they appear washed out. Plants with blue tones and darker colors look best close up while yellows, oranges and reds show up best from a distance.
Even after the plants have been distributed to the various districts, the greenhouse doesn’t sit empty.
“We maintain a good number of stock plants growing in the greenhouse, meaning (we have) a mother plant that we can take cuttings off of during the winter. In the spring they are usually discarded, but we save a few of the newer plants to be mother plants for the next year.
“Some of our varieties have been perpetuated like this for at least 50 years,” says Douglas.
They also grow a crop of decorative plants, such as poinsettias, for city offices and various special events during the holidays.
“Denver has an amazing horticulture program, with a rich history and an exciting future, and I am proud to be part of that,” Douglas says.
“It’s something that I love anyway, and this way I can share it with a lot of citizens.”
Get involved
When merely enjoying the flower beds isn’t enough, green thumbs have opportunities to become involved.
The Department of Parks and Recreation has developed several volunteer opportunities. Buds to Blooms offers tours of park flower beds, allowing particapants to explore new planting designs, learn park history and meet. Call 720-913-0700 for dates and ticket information.
Throughout the season, volunteers are welcome to Adopt-a-Flower-Bed by helping provide weekly maintenance.
Then they can help end the flower season with the Putting the Beds to Bed Volunteer Event in October. Fading plants are removed and the beds are left clean and ready for the following year.
Other opportunities to volunteer in the parks are available. Call the Denver Parks and Recreation volunteer office at 303-964-1043 or go visit denvergov.org/dprvolunteers.
