Curator's blog

Today was the perfect day for a hike in the Natural Area. With approximately 3 1/2 miles of trails to hike, Red Butte is a great place to come and escape the city for a while and see some cool native flowers.

Comandra umbellata - Bastard Toadflax

Crepis acuminata - Tapertip Hawksbeard

I think we're FINALLY in springtime.... The daffodils are finishing up and the lilacs, crabapples and viburnums are almost in full swing.

Volcan Lilac

Charles Holetich Lilac

Firmament Lilac

As you have probably noticed, everything has been a bit late to bloom this year and daffodils were no exception.  Right now they are at their peak, so come for a visit.

The garden is filled with color everywhere you look.  The Irises and other bulbs are open in the Rose Garden and Floral walk and the Daffodils are just beginning to show signs of color.....so get ready for a great show in the next few weeks.

On your way to check out the incredible bulb display in the Rose Garden, look for these gorgeous blooms.

Things have been blooming up here since early February, but up until now winter seems to keep covering them with a blanket of snow....although, as I type this, the rain is turning to snow.

So....when it lets up, be sure to come and see our early spring blooming flowers.

Cyclamen on the floral walk under the Russian Olive trees.

There are some striking new Arums in the Herb Garden this year. Most are spring and summer blooming, but there is one species that blooms in the fall, and right now it is blooming its little heart out.

Arum pictum

Red Butte Garden has a new green roof!  Come check it out.  Its great design is composed of four varieties of Sedum and one variety of Sempervivum all flowing together.

 
Green roof above Visitor Center gift shop

The planting medium used is called Litetop® Soil.  It is a specially blended lightweight growing medium composed of organic and mineral material. It retains moisture for plantings, yet drains excess water quickly and doesn't compact.

This year, the most common question I have received is how to tell apart our globe thistles. Hopefully this blooming blog post will clear things up and make you an expert the next time you visit.

In case you do not know what I'm talking about, I'll fill you in.  Near our Rainbird sculpture on the the Floral Walk and entrance to the Fragrance Garden are 3 different colors of Echinops; two on the east side and one on the west side of the path.

The garden is still alive with blossoms. There isn't anywhere in the garden you won't find beautiful, interesting and fragrant blossoms.

Bear's Breeches  Acanthus spinosus
You can see Bear's Breeches growing in the Rose Garden on the pathway around the wedding lawn.