Home&Garden
where to go, who to know


where to go

Through July 3
Flower Painting Exhibit
Get a jump-start on spring by viewing Mimi Elmore’s gorgeous flower paintings on exhibit at the Boulder Arts & Crafts Cooperative, 1421 Pearl St. Elmore says her dramatic mixed-media creations are “Georgia O’Keeffe-like.” The opening reception is May 2 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The show and reception are free and open to the pubic. For information, call Lisa McDonough, 303-443-3683, or visit boulderartsandcrafts.com.

May 2, June 6
Free Days at Denver Botanic Gardens
at Chatfield

April 19-Nov. 30
Urban Nature Exhibit
Urban doesn’t mean “nature-less” and the Denver Botanic Gardens proves it during the Urban Nature Exhibit, where you can see everything from balcony and container gardens to murals and sidewalk plants. The exhibit also explores urban life through music, art and educational events. Check botanicgardens.org for a schedule.

June 28
2008 Bonfils-Stanton
Lecture Series
Topher Delaney, an award-winning environmental and landscape artist, grew up among artists and is the founder of SEAM Studio in San Francisco. In her lecture, “The Explorer in the Garden: Digging in the Garden as Metaphor,” she discusses how remembering is central to her goal of integrating a client’s cultural and spiritual values into garden design. Delaney speaks on April 24 at 7 p.m.
Garden designer, author and self-described “desert plant fiend” Scott Calhoun teams up with landscape designer, author and teacher Judith Phillips to show gardeners how to choose appropriate plants for their yards. Their lec­ture, “The Builders in the Garden: Urban Microclimates, Colored Walls,” explores how to select plants for specific sites. Their lecture is June 28 at 11 a.m.
Both lectures are at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St. Call 720-865-3580 or visit botanicgardens.org to register.

May 3-4
East Boulder County Studio Tour
Discover talent in your own neighborhood during the East Boulder County Studio Tour. Scour the studios of local artists from Louisville to Erie for paintings, sculpture, jewelry and more. Studios are open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Tour maps are available at firehouseart.org or ebcacolorado.org.

May 5-6
Annual Tulip Festival on Pearl Street Mall
What do fairies, elves and more than 15,000 tulip blooms have in common? That’s right, it’s Downtown Boulder Inc.’s annual tulip festival on the Pearl Street Mall, where you’ll find all manner of little ones dressed in magical garb. Included in the fun are a tulip fairy and an elf parade for children. Call 303-449-3774 or visit downtownboulder.com.

May 9-10
59th Annual Plant Sale at Denver Botanic Gardens
This year’s spring event boasts more than 85,000 plants for sale, including red yucca, arrow-leaved sage and ice plant, as well as drought-tolerant Plant Select® plants. If color palettes aren’t your forte, you’ll delight in three new annuals kits for container gardens that promise the perfect blend of hues. You’ll also find everything from water plants and herbs to roses and vegetables. Horticultural experts will be on hand to answer questions and assist shoppers in choosing the perfect flora. The sale is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; admission is free. Members are admitted at 8:30 a.m. on both days. Call 720-865-3500 or log on to botanicgardens.org.

May 11
Mother’s Day Brunch
Treat mom to a day at Denver Botanic Gardens, where you can wander the grounds together before enjoying brunch and entertainment at the amphitheater. Check botanicgardens.org for details or e-mail specialevents@botanicgardens.org.

May 16-17
10th Annual Kitchens on Fire Tour
Stimulate your inner cook by touring to-die-for  kitchens during the 10th Annual Kitchens on Fire Tour. Benefiting The Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder, the tour features spectacular kitchens that showcase contemporary, eclectic and traditional styles with an array of building materials. Sponsored by Boulder County Home & Garden Magazine, Kitchens on Fire is one of The Dairy’s biggest annual fund-raisers. The self-guided tours run 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. Tickets are $20 at The Dairy, 303-444-7328, or online at thedairy.org.

May 17-18
Ginormous Plant Sale
Sponsored by Growing Gardens, an organization that manages seven Boulder community gardens, this ginormous plant sale features heirloom tomatoes, organic veggies, perennials, natives, annuals and water-wise selections. All proceeds benefit Growing Gardens and Colorado Master Gardeners. The sale is from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. each day in the parking lot on the northeast corner of Broadway and Iris Avenue. For information, call Ramona at 303-413-7248 ext. 2, or e-mail her at ramona@growinggardens.org.

May 19-23
Celebrating Wildflowers Week
Denver Botanic Gardens welcomes children with free coloring books during this event that runs 10 a.m.-1 p.m. each day. The 10th annual celebration includes tours and activities centered around wildflowers, and teaches the importance of conserving native Colorado plants. Call 720-856-3500 or visit botanicgardens.org. School groups can ­register by calling 720-865-3580.

May 31
National Wildlife Federation’s
Third Annual Native Plant Sale
One way to help counteract global warming is to sow your garden with native plants that provide food and cover for environmentally sensitive species like birds, bees and butterflies. “By planting native plants and engaging in sustainable gardening techniques, gardeners together could make a huge difference,” says NWF regional education program manager Julie Gustafson. The plant sale is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Enviromental Center of the Rockies, 2260 Baseline Road in Boulder. Call Gustafson at 303-441-5152 or Lew Carpenter at 303-441-5164, or e-mail carpenterl@nwf.org.

June 20-21
31st Annual Festival of Flowers
Garden Tour
This year’s tour features everything from elaborate water features to decorative container gardens. The tours are 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Buy $10 advance tickets May 15-June 19 in Longmont at The Flower Bin, Ute Trail Greenhouse, Adorn Gift Shop, Duran’s Hobby Acres, Front Range Mer­cantile, Budget Home Center or Twin Peaks Mall Information Booth. Or buy tickets for $12 at any of the five gardens during the tour dates. For information, e-mail Karin Snyder at k.r.snyder@comcast.net.

Late June-Early August
Free Wildflower Tours on Mount Goliath
Volunteer guides lead you on free tours of this beautiful alpine area that’s a haven for high-altitude wildflowers and ancient bristlecone pines. The Mount Goliath tours include a moderate 1.5-mile-downhill hike, with carpool shuttles leaving from the U.S. Forest Service Clear Creek Visitor Center in Idaho Springs. Call 720-865-3533 to reserve a spot for the 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. tours. Visit botanicgardens.org to confirm dates.

who to know

Terra Verde Architects and Parrish Construction were named a 2008 Regional Contractor of the Year in the category for residential additions over $250,000 by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The award-winning project in Boulder County included a mother-in-law suite addition, foyer expansion, kitchen remodel, bathroom update and deck addition.