Nursery Day Trip: Denver and Beyond

Namesake flower: Denver daisy State flower: Rocky Mountain columbine Number of parks: More than 300. Check out denvergov.org/parks Number of Denver Botanic Gardens locations: 3; the main downtown location (1005 York St.), plus Littleton and Mt. Evans. botanicgardens.org Number of community gardens: More than 80. Download a map from Denver Urban Gardens (dug.org). Best place to buy plants: Tagawa Gardens in Centennial (pictured). See more of Tagawa Gardens. Claim to gardenspeak fame: “Xeriscape” was coined in 1981 by the Denver Water department. Best garden-inspired restaurant: Potager (French for “kitchen garden”). $$; closed Sun; 1109 Ogden St.; 303/832-5788. Most impressive rooftop garden: The 20,000 square-foot “green roof” at the Environmental Protection Agency’s regional headquarters. 303/ 312-6836 for tour info.

Denver Boutiques for Stylish Green Thumbs

• BIRDSALL & CO. South Broadway Shop for gorgeous glazed planters, stately garden statues, wind chimes, and teak patio furniture, plus home accessories displayed in a spacious indooroutdoor showroom. Closed Sun; 1540 S. Broadway; birdsallgarden.com
• MOD LIVIN’ East Colfax Outdoor furniture and accessories for the gardener who is more arty than frilly. Come for an electric orange watering can by Alessi, a lime green plastic patio loveseat by Kartell, and stainless steel garden pinwheels. 5327 E. Colfax Ave.; modlivin.com
• THE PERFECT PETAL Highlands A floral shop in the back produces some of the city’s most inventive arrangements. Up front, find a playful gift boutique selling bangle bracelets, bubble baths, and greeting cards as colorful as flowers. 3600 W. 32nd Ave.; theperfectpetal.com