Spring has sprung in classic Colorado fashion this year, by alternating between cold snowy days and warm, sunny ones. It’s a mix that has left flower fans wondering when one of the Denver Botanic Gardens’ most popular attractions will be ready for viewing: Beds bursting with over 16,200 tulips in vibrant shades of orange, yellow, red, pink and white.
The answer, according to gardens spokesperson Erin Brid, is that it won’t be long. Buds can already be seen at the base of some tulip plants, but stems are not yet extended.
Bird says the recent snowfall, which coated Denver in 6.5 inches of snow, didn’t bother the plants. “Snow does not harm the bulbs and won’t damage the leaves and flower beds. It insulates the plant and can protect it from freezing,” she explained. “Flowers that are open during snow can look worse for the wear post-melt, but the plant is not harmed and will come back next spring.”
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Spring flowers always bring more visitors to the Gardens, but tulips are especially popular. Many locals plan their trip to the gardens around the tulip timetable, and the organization shares tulip status updates and bloom alerts on social media.
Blooms will begin in mid-April if temperatures are warmer, said Bridget Blomquist, the DBG’s associate director of horticulture. “My best guess is that in the next three weeks we will really start to see the show of blossoms if temperatures stay on the warm side.”
Temperature also impacts how long the blossoms last. During periods of warm weather, the blooms typically last for a couple of weeks. Cooler weather keeps the tulips in bloom longer, but snow and wind can decrease blossom time.
Most of the tulips are planted in the Annuals Garden in ground-level and raised beds. The bed’s shape determines how the tulips are arranged. Blomquist said she likes to fill each plot from edge to edge. “During peak bloom, it is quite the sight with the large beds packed tightly with colorful tulips. It’s a beautiful celebration of spring.”
Coloradans are lucky because tulips won’t grow in a lot of places, says Bridget Blomquist, a Denver Botanic Gardens horticulture specialist in annuals who designed and planted the Annuals Garden and Pavilion. (Denver Post file)