IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL COLORADO – Summer is around the corner, and many families are planning activities to keep the kids active, healthy and inspired. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s partners at Children’s Hospital Colorado offer expert tips for incorporating gratitude into children’s daily lives, and CMZoo’s horticulture team says creating a family garden provides ample opportunities in nature.
“Having a backyard or patio garden means you can have quick access to a peaceful place, without needing to make a whole day of it,” Zach Groskopf, horticulture technician at CMZoo, says. “Planting and nurturing a garden allows you to slow down and breathe deep in nature, without requiring reservations or a road trip.”
Gardening provides endless memories, education and screen-free time in the calming presence of nature, and seeing something thrive under your care can be extremely gratifying. The size of space available doesn’t matter. Plus, by planting native and Colorado-friendly plants that feed butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and other pollinators, gardeners can help wildlife that is/are vital to our ecosystems.
CMZoo’s horticulture team has a variety of native and Colorado-friendly plants, veggies, herbs and shrubs available this year at CMZoo’s annual Plant Sale, Thurs., May 16 through Sat., May 18. Penstemon (beartongue), gaillardia (blanket flower), purple prairie flower, butterfly bush, silver lace vine, columbine, basil, cilantro, kale, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and more will be available for purchase.
“The columbine is my personal favorite flower because they’re beautiful, and they’re resilient,” Zach says. “I keep bees, and these flowers make the most delicious honey, too. The columbines at the Plant Sale are special because we grew all of them from columbine seeds collected from all around the Zoo.”
There are no reservations or Zoo tickets required to attend the Plant Sale, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thurs., May 16 and Fri., May 17 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., May 18 – when the Zoo closes early for Run to the Shrine. Plants will be available on a first-come first-served basis, so don’t be late! The sale has been known to sell out early in previous years.
This year, the Zoo’s fundraising Plant Sale will be in the Zoo parking lot. Keep an eye out for signs directing you to the sale as you drive into guest parking. This year’s Plant Sale is in-person only. There will be no online shopping or shipping options available. Come out to the Zoo and chat with our expert horticulturists about which plants will work best in your garden, and feel good knowing you’re supporting the ongoing beautification of the Zoo with your purchases.