The Denver Botanic Gardens is one of the most celebrated public botanic gardens in the United States. With thousands of types of plants spread across 24 acres, the garden aims to be an urban oasis and a tranquil green space in the midst of city sprawl. It is a spot for education, entertainment and contemplation, and has a focus on semi-arid plants like the ones which grow wild in the region. While the main bulk of the formal gardens are located at York Street in Denver, there is also a second site, Chatfield Farms, in Chatfield Bluffs in the southwest outskirts of Denver.

  • Where are the Denver Botanic Gardens located?
    • The Denver Botanic Gardens are split across two locations: York Street in the city and Chatfield Farms, a 750-acre native plant refuge outside of Denver.
  • What are the five broad categories of gardens at York Street?
    • The York Street gardens are categorized into:
      • Gardens of the West – highlighting Colorado’s native plants
      • Internationally Inspired Gardens – modeled after gardens from around the world
      • Ornamental Gardens – peak in spring during flower blossom season
      • Shady Gardens – providing cool relief on hot days
      • Water Gardens – focusing on aquatic plants and water features
  • What are the features of the Gardens of the West?
    • The Gardens of the West include 18 different gardens showcasing plants that thrive in arid conditions through all seasons.
    • Highlights include:
      • Promenade Garden – showcasing low-water plants on Colorado’s steep slopes
      • Conservation Garden – protecting endangered and rare native plants
      • A greenhouse with 20 different types of cactus and succulents
      • Dryland Mesa – featuring yuccas and agave plants, receiving no additional water
      • Plants sacred to Native Americans of the Four Corners region
  • What is unique about the Internationally Inspired Gardens?
    • These gardens take inspiration from different parts of the world, focusing on steppe climates similar to Denver’s.
    • Features include:
      • Ella Mullen Weckbaugh Tea House Garden – with an actual tea house from Japan
      • Shofu-en – inspired by the Rocky Mountains with 130 character pines
      • Bill Hosokawa Bonsai Pavilion – showcasing bonsai plants from around the world
      • South African Plaza – highlighting the region’s floral diversity
      • PlantAsia – focusing on Himalayan pines and steppe plants from Kazakhstan and Pakistan
  • What can visitors expect at the Ornamental Gardens?
    • The Ornamental Gardens are open year-round but reach peak beauty in spring.
    • Notable features include:
      • Fragrance Garden – filled with blooming scents
      • Gloria Falkenberg Herb Garden
      • Lilac Garden and May Bonfils-Stanton Memorial Rose Garden
      • Walkways, arches, gazebos, and pavilions
  • What makes the Shady Gardens special?
    • The Shady Gardens are a popular summer retreat, attracting birds and pollinators.
    • Highlights include:
      • Birds and Bees Walk – filled with plants that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
      • Oak Grove – dedicated to hardy oak trees
      • Woodland Mosaic – a fairy grotto with low-light plants
      • Shady Lane – featuring crabapple blooms and spring ephemerals
  • When are the Water Gardens open, and what do they feature?
    • The Water Gardens are open between June and September.
    • They feature:
      • 450 different aquatic plant species
      • Four Towers Pool – showcasing a different type of aquatic plant each year
      • Monet Pool – home to waterlilies, cannas, iris, cattails, and pickerel plants
  • What can visitors find at Chatfield Farms?
    • Chatfield Farms is a 750-acre refuge for native plants and a working farm.
    • Key attractions include:
      • Wildflower Gardens – showcasing 150 rare native wildflowers
      • Lavender Garden – cultivating 14 varieties of lavender
      • Hildebrand Ranch – a historic ranch from the 1860s
      • Functional blacksmith shop
  • What is the historical background of the Denver Botanic Gardens?
    • Before their creation in 1951, the York Street site was Mount Prospect Cemetery.
    • Many graves were removed in 1893, though remains are occasionally found.
  • What pioneering garden projects have taken place at York Street?
    • The Dryland Mesa at York Street became the world's first Xeriscape Demonstration Garden in 1986.
    • Shofu-en, built in 1979, was designed by Koichi Kawana and means “Garden of Pine and Wind.”
  • What educational programs are offered by the Denver Botanic Gardens?
    • The Gardens offer programs for learners of all ages, including:
      • School of Botanical Art and Illustration
      • Adult, children, and family programs
      • Outreach programs such as wildflower hikes on Mount Goliath
      • Therapeutic horticulture sessions
  • What attractions are near the Denver Botanic Gardens?
    • The Gardens are surrounded by greenery, including:
      • Cheesman Park directly behind the entrance
      • Congress Park, one block to the west
      • The Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature and Science to the north
      • The Country Club Historic Neighborhood, about five blocks to the south

Denver Botanic Gardens,
1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206, Phone: 720-865-3501

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