An explosion of flowers now adorn what was formerly a brown, utilitarian wall between the library and the Riverside Professional Building.  A botanically-themed mural, painted by local artist, Nia Sturr, entitled "Wall Flowers," was dedicated with nearly 100 people in attendance on July 15.  The mural depicts plants and flora common to our region’s microclimates and elevations.  To reflect this amazing horticultural and climatic diversity, plants common to lower, dryland elevations begin at the left of the mural and ascend to plants, trees common to higher, montane and alpine elevations.  

Because the common names of plants can vary from region to region, horticulturists and nurseries reference plants using what is called binominal nomenclature, using both the common name and the scientific name, the latter expressed in Latin.  

Look for these plants on your next hike or when strolling through our public gardens.

The mural is a project of the Durango Botanic Gardens with support from the Durango Creative District and funding from the Creative Economy Commission.  Other funders or in-kind providers include 1st Southwest Bank, the LeMaire Family Fund, Shelly Oxhandler, the Library Advisory Board and Friends of the Library, Handcrafted House and Kroegers Hardware.