Title: Celebrating 100 Years of the Mount Vernon Garden in Denver's Washington Park
Content:
Title: Celebrating 100 Years of the Mount Vernon Garden in Denver's Washington P
The Mount Vernon Garden in Denver's Washington Park recently marked a major milestone - its 100th anniversary. This remarkable one-acre garden, a replica of Martha Washington's garden in Virginia, has defied the test of time with its freshness and natural beauty. Gone are the rigid rows of bedding annuals and roses that once dominated the space. Today, the garden boasts a dynamic tapestry of flowering perennials, annuals, and effervescent grasses, providing a thriving habitat for urban wildlife.
Credit for the garden's transformation goes to Jane Packard, Mount Vernon Garden's horticulturist, and her team of dedicated volunteers. During her tenure, Jane has revised the planting beds with Colorado-tough prairie plants better suited to Denver's semi-arid climate. These stunning choices have elevated the garden to new heights of beauty.
To celebrate the centennial, Jane and FANS (Friends and Neighbors of Washington Park) hosted a public garden party in late July. The event featured a tribute to the park and its caretakers, as well as lemony cupcakes adorned with edible flowers and champagne. Attendees included local gardening luminaries like Callae Gedrose of Honeywood Garden Design and Bonnie Sutherland, board president of FANS.
The garden's centennial also coincided with the presence of Skyler Smith, horticulturist for the adjacent Big Gardens at Washington Park. As the sun began to set, Jane led a guided tour through the summer-blooming garden, inspiring guests to appreciate its many wonders. The golden hour proved a perfect backdrop for capturing the garden's beauty with cameras.
Throughout the celebration, visitors savored the garden's tranquility, with some even commissioning portraits amidst the vibrant flowers. As the event drew to a close, the Mount Vernon Garden stood as a testament to the power of careful planning, dedication, and the enduring allure of nature in the heart of the city.