DU Students Grow our Courtyard!

   This June students from the University of Denver's Pioneer Leadership Program spiffied-up our courtyard garden for the summer 2014 season. Under the leadership of Hannah Bouline (longtime PlatteForum PLP volunteer), students Emily Padgett and Austin Richards, collected donations of flowers, planting materials and dirt, pots and chairs and tarps and tie-downs and spray paint in glorious colors. And even donated a handsome and tidy hose container. Then they proceeded to paint the chairs and pots bright colors, weeded, washed, planted and made everyone at PlatteForum and our neighbors happy.The tradition started by Denver Botanic Gardens Senior Horticulturists Mark Fusco and Ebi Kondo in 2009, was joined by sculptors Josh Wiener and Christopher Hecker, landscape architects Courtney McRikard and Lori Catalano of Three Sixty Design, Michael Catalano of Siteworks, Nancy Locke and Suzanna Serna of EDAW, volunteer Amy Schneider, and Eagle Scout Candidate Tim Topper, whose Eagle Badge Project culminated in the construction of three large-scale hypertufa planters. In 2012 Eagle Scout Candidate Kevin Stones, BSA Troop 675 added custom designed-built planters that double as benches. The garden is indeed a testament to the passion and dedication of the community. And a nice grant from Colorado Garden Show helped too!Ponderosa Pine: 200-250 years old
On Friday, May 1, 2009, Ebi Kondo, Senior Horticulturist from the Denver Botanic Gardens, planted an incredible Ponderosa Pine in one of our sculptural planter in our courtyard. The tree was harvested from the foothills west of Denver by a Denver Botanic Garden volunteer and donated to PlatteForum by Larry A. Jackell. The Japanese term for this pine is “yamadori” which means “harvested from the mountains.” Although it resembles a Bonsai with its twisting forms and small size, it is a true Ponderosa pine. You gotta love volunteers and celebrate nature! Thanks for keeping us green.