January 07, 2025
The Steppe Garden at Denver Botanic Gardens delights with three large crevice planters on a stone plaza. They’re intricately constructed. The central one reminds me of a loaf of bread or those old-fashioned wooden puzzles that fit together in a certain way. Or maybe a wheel of cheese with a wedge cut out, where a fountain trickles within. I’ve never seen anything like them.
This is Part 2 of my tour from my visit in late September.
Steppe Garden
DBG’s website about the Steppe Garden provides this description:
“Entering the Steppe Garden you will notice three large stone structures. These curious objects are planters that all have specific uses and showcase important microcosms within the greater steppe biome.
- One of the planters showcases plants that are called “living stones.”
- The central planter has a small trickling fountain to illustrate the importance and scarcity of water in the steppe.
- The last planter highlights cushion plants, an adapted growth form.
These planters were painstakingly constructed by the Gardens’ stonemasons and are not only works of art but are becoming living interpretations of specialty conditions and a unique way to grow plants from very specific ecological niches.”
That stonework!
Small crevice-loving plants grow on the rocky top.
If you’re not familiar with the term steppe, it’s a semi-arid grassland with hot summers and cold winters. Denver, located on the plain in the rain shadow of the Rocky Mountains, has a steppe climate, although I don’t consider their summers hot in comparison with Texas summers. Still, it’s all relative, and they don’t have Seattle-cool summers, for sure. Like all steppe regions, they experience big temperature swings and aridity, which impacts their plant palette.
Whenever I’m at DBG, I notice the pyramid structure next to the Steppe Garden, but I’ve never once thought to go inside. It’s DBG’s Science Pyramid, with an ecology exhibition that probably includes information about living and gardening in a steppe climate. Next time I’ll go see it for sure.
A spiderweb captures morning dew or irrigation moisture.
For this flat-topped planter, there’s a lot of stonework to display so few plants, but the effect is striking nevertheless.
Still, this one is my favorite.
A tiered stone bench offers a spot to rest and admire the garden.
A crevice garden with vertical stone slabs runs behind the bench.
Ornamental Grasses Garden
The Ornamental Grasses Garden is one of 18 arid gardens at DBG showcasing plants that thrive in Colorado’s dry climate.
In late September, it was aglow with the colorful seedheads of all the grasses.
This wine-red bottlebrush inflorescence belongs to ‘Red Head’ Chinese fountain grass.
So pretty
‘Boulder Blue’ blue fescue meanders stream-like through the garden.
Taller grasses lift the eye skyward, as does a shapely, white-trunked aspen.
Mexican feathergrass, which blooms earlier in the year, mingles with fall-blooming perennials.
‘Undaunted’ ruby muhly grass sparkles with rosy seedheads. A red-flowering sedum makes a perfect companion.
Gorgeous!
Variegated miscanthus grass waves cinnamon pennants.
A grassy combo of pennisetum, fescue, and miscanthus in bloom looks like fireworks going off.
Walking toward the Science Pyramid, you’re greeted by a stone sculpture, So Proud of My Children, by Zimbabwean artist Nicholas Kadzungura.
Next to the pyramid, four fountain towers recirculate water in a large pond.
Waterlilies and bog plants brighten the dark dyed surface of the pool.
Charming yellow-and-red dahlias with nearly black leaves caught my eye as I turned to walk back through the grass garden.
Cutleaf staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina ‘Dissecta’) was adding a hint of fall color behind red-flowering sedum.
Woodland Mosaic Garden
After the bright sunlight of the steppe and grass gardens, the Woodland Mosaic Garden offers shade and coolness. I love this intimate circular patio with curved benches and ripple-like table. Beyond, a filigreed green solarium adds romantic ambiance.
I imagine this is a lovely spot for a small wedding.
White aspen trunks shine at the woodland’s edge.
Up next: The PlantAsia Garden and Birds and Bees Walk at Denver Botanic. For a look back at DBG’s entry garden, Water-Smart Garden, and amphitheater, click here.
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