Visit the queen of flower shops: find houseplants and other treasures in Denver - Mountain Guide - Denver, Colorado - Brief Article

Established in 1911, City Floral Greenhouse and Garden Center is the dowager queen of Denver's commercial greenhouses. Yet this sprawling complex, located east of downtown, always provides plant shoppers with a sensuous excursion. This is especially true in the dead of winter, when blossoms perfume the balmy air and the kaleidoscopic array of plants stands in lush contrast to the cold, drab outdoor scene.

As you wander through the nine greenhouses, you'll see everything from aquatic plants to cactus. The selection of flowering plants changes with the season: look for bromeliads and cyclamen in heart-throbbing hues of red and pink for Valentine's Day, along with daffodils, hyacinths, lilies, and tulips in bright Easter-egg shades, Fresh-cut flowers are also sold.

When the weather warms up outside, City Floral offers a vast selection of seasonal bedding plants: annual and perennial flowers, vegetables, and herbs. The center also stocks containers, potting soil, and accessories ranging from gloves and tools to wind chimes.

9-5 Mon-Sat, 10-5 Sun. 1440 Kearney St., 1/2 block south of Colfax Ave. (look for the tall yellow chimney); www.cityfloralgreenhouse.com or (303) 399-1177.

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