2019 Denver Fling: An Overview
So Judy and I got home around 8 pm this evening after spending 5 days in Denver, where we took part in the Garden Bloggers’ Fling. As usual it was superbly organized. The backdrop provided by the Rocky Mountains and the big Colorado sky did give this year a different feel. Also, I thought it was remarkable how we could visit so many gardens without the experience becoming repetitive, as each one tended to have its own distinct personality.
I’m going to wait until fall to write more detailed posts on the individual gardens, but in the meantime I wanted to provide just a few of the many highlights from this year’s Fling.
The view from the garden of Mary and Larry Scripps, which backs onto a hayfield with mountains in the distance.
A wild Larkspur at the Denver Botanic Gardens’ Laura Smith Porter Plains Garden, featuring plants native to the Denver region.
California Poppies, Alliums, and Peonies provided plenty of color in the xeric garden of Dan Johnson and Tony Miles.
Opuntia cactus flowers in the garden of Linda Boley.
A remarkable pond is the hub of Scott and Paula Deemer’s back garden.
Judy couldn’t resist putting her feet in the water where she could get a closer look at one of several bog gardens adjoining the pond.
Blue Erigeron and dwarf conifers in Carol and Randy Shinn’s phenomenal rock garden (and I usually don’t get too excited about rock gardens).
A tranquil vignette from the garden of Jan and Richard Devore.
Indian Paint Brush and Blanket Flower in Jim Borland’s naturalistic dryland garden (this might have been my favorite).
The magnificent waterfall in the garden of Tatiana Maxwell.
A bathtub planter filled with succulents and turned into a pet hippopotamus in the playful garden of Jean Morgan.
Rob Proctor and David Macke’s garden of lavish exuberance.
Here’s me and Jim Borland having an animated discussion about his garden. What could be more fun than talking about plants with others who are equally (or even more) obsessed with the subject? That’s what makes the fling such a great experience.
Incidentally, next year’s Fling will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, from June 18-21. Don’t miss it!
Many more posts on the Fling to come later in the year.
gardeninacity 
I can’t wait to read and see more of your experiences.
They’re coming.
We were in Denver for our son’s graduation from DU, and were leaving a gardens when a bunch of Flingers were waiting to go in. I wondered if you were among them. Glad you had such a good time in Denver. The weather certainly cooperated.
Leaving THE gardens….the Botanic Garden. Clumsy fingers this morning.
We only got to see a small portion of the DBG, hope to return some day.
Sounds as thought you had a fantastic time, and judging from the glorious pictures, I can see why. Can’t wait to see more this fall.
Judy did a good job with the pics, as she always does.
Indeed she did and does.
You’ve captured the diversity of the fling gardens well! The toughest bit for me when it comes to posting about the gardens is sifting through the hundreds of photos and weeding it down to only a few. So Hard!
I know what you mean, especially as Judy took something like 2,000 images. One thing I tried to do each night was sort them into folders for each garden, which made it easier to choose a few later. Plus, I gave up on choosing the best photo and just chose the first one that I thought was really good for each garden.
Looks like there was a nice variety in garden “styles”. Always fun to see other gardens for inspiration and ideas.
Definitely. I always get ideas from touring other gardens.
Looking forward to your future posts! Judy got some wonderful shots (I’m assuming most of these are hers). I came home exhausted.
All the shots are Judy’s – when we travel together, she takes the photographs, and I just carry around her backpack
I was in Denver for business a while ago. The sight of mountains always surprised this Midwestern gal. It was like being in a picture postcard. At least you did not experience a sand storm like I did – sand in my pockets, nose, ears, etc. Looking forward to your subsequent Fling posts.
Eek. A sandstorm does not sound pleasant.
I’m surprised at the lushness and greens of those gardens. I thought desert plants would be more suited to Colorado, but that shows you what I know about Colorado.
Colorado tends to be arid, but not desert. Also there are areas with more moisture, especially at higher elevations. And most of these gardens get at least some supplemental watering.
I’ll look forward to seeing the Denver gardens…from the photos so far the gardens look diverse and interesting.
They were a lot of fun to visit.
What a great overview of what was a wonderful Fling, along with such excellent images. Thanks!
You’re welcome! Judy took about 2,000 images so there were a lot to choose from.
Great photos! It was such a wonderful Fling, with a distinctively different feel – almost like being in a different country for this rural Midwestern girl. I’m like Margaret, with SO many photos to wade through!
I agree, it did feel like a different country at times.
AWESOME POST! The gardens are really… Can’t find just one word! AWESOME! It really inspires me! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome.
I enjoyed every bit of this Fling and this over view!
Thanks. It was nice seeing you again, Gail, though we didn’t get to talk much.
Nice overview. Really loved Denver and surrounding areas as we toured each garden. I need to gather my thoughts and look through photos and do likewise.
I also loved Denver – my first time there. We’ve spent time in the mountain west but not visiting the gardens.
This is a gift to all us stay-at-home bloggers. Thank you!
You’re welcome! Now I get to relive the experience through everyone else’s posts and my own.
Great overview, thank you! Sorry I missed it this year but the stars would not align. Will enjoy all the posts to come.
Me too. Maybe you can make next year’s in Madison?
What Rickii said… looking forward to more!
Just as I sort through Judy’s 2000+ images!
Ha!
Had hoped to join the Denver Fling but it didn’t work out. Super excited to read all about it.
Hope you make it to Madison in 2020.
They’re nice, but your garden is more interesting.
Nice of you to say.
Some wonderful snippets here! Those mountains and clouds are certainly compelling, what a backdrop!!! I loved Judy in the pond and that bath hippo.xxx
The pond and hippo were both great.