January 11, 2025
The Monet Pool at Denver Botanic Gardens is the largest of several ponds at the garden. Dark-dyed water makes a mirrored surface, reflecting orange canna blossoms, reedy papyrus, and cloven waterlily pads. This is Part 6 of my tour from my visit in late September.
Monet Pool
Victoria waterlilies float majestically in the center of the pond. Thrones for resident frogs, perhaps? Hardy and tropical waterlilies show off starry blossoms.
I spotted a pair of dragonflies on a tree branch, their eyes like blue beads…
…their tails bronze, their wings screened windows.
DBG is located in one of Denver’s older neighborhoods, Cheesman Park, and apartment buildings rise high above it. What a nice garden view some of them enjoy.
Japanese lantern overlooking the pond
Shofu-En Japanese Garden
DGB’s Japanese stroll garden is called Shofu-en, which translates to Garden of Pine and Wind. Under a roofed shelter, I found an intriguing view of a neighboring apartment tower reflected in the pond.
Ella Mullen Weckbaugh Tea House
A walled gate and gravel garden with a sculptural pine leads to a Japanese teahouse.
Bamboo gate
Fountain and basin
A traditional gate requires that guests humble themselves by passing through a low doorway.
Sheltered bench
Woven screen
Bill Hosokawa Bonsai Pavilion
A bonsai pavilion features a collection of beautifully trained trees, each perched on its own moss-cushioned pedestal.
There was a succulent bonsai too!
A kusamono exhibition caught my interest. I’d never heard of it before. A sign explained, “Kusamono is an ancient Japanese botanical art that uses wild grasses and flowers to create living arrangements. These compositions are artistic representations of landscapes, suggesting a particular place in nature such as a prairie, wetland or mountain top. A well-composed kusamono also reflects the seasons by containing plants that flower or fruit throughout the year.”
I found them beautiful, like idealized miniature landscapes.
Doll house yucca and sedum kusamono
Moss and sedge in a bowl perched on a watery surface
This one uses a charismatic tree stump.
Virginia creeper in fall color and berry
Up next: Crossroads Garden, Perennial Walk, and Romantic Gardens at Denver Botanic. For a look back at DBG’s pond, prairie garden, and Victorian garden, click here.
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