Audio By Carbonatix
Those with brown thumbs might think January is a tad early to plan a garden. But the scarcity of water in Denver makes forethought a crucial component of successfully growing flowers, grass, you name it.
That’s why the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York Street, is opening its doors for the Water-Smart Gardening and Xeriscape Expo today. “We do the expo right now so that people can plan what they want to do as far as hardscape, plants and elevation, zoning on their sprinkler system,” explains Deb Whittaker, public-programs manager for the DBC.
“It’s a pretty inexpensive way to get an all-encompassing viewpoint of every piece of water-smart gardening, from turf to tree, from the beginning of landscape planting to maintenance,” she adds. Plus, Xeriscape guru David Salman of High Country Gardens will give a keynote speech and discuss plant choice, care and design ideas.
And don’t worry: Xeriscaping doesn’t mean you have to give up your beloved rose bush or pansy patch. The savvy gardener knows it’s all about balance. “You can have high-water plants in the Rocky Mountain area,” assures Whittaker. “You can have a glorious garden in Denver with water restrictions and for much less water cost, and it’s going to be sustainable.”
The Expo, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is a steal at $10 to $15. For information, visit www.botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3580.
Sat., Jan. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
