Betty Ford gardens help catalog rare plant species

By Edward Stoner

VAIL — Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, nestled along the banks of Gore Creek, is considered the premier alpine botanical gardens in the country. Yet aside from providing an ecological sanctuary for visitors, the gardens also peruse important horticultural examination. “It’s more than just a pretty garden,” said Nicola Ripley, the executive director of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. The Vail-based nonprofit organization operates its own seed bank, where it catalogs alpine plant species and attempts to revive endangered populations like the rare Penstemon debilis. It also helps maintain the health of alpine ecosystems throughout Colorado in partnership with the Bureau of …

Source:: Vail Daily Feed