Fear not, the temporary fence around the back of the conservatory isn't there for demolition purposes. An addition to the conservatory is about to be constructed.
It was just before Halloween when we visited and areas were set up for families to take seasonal pictures. A basket of fancy feathered masks is just out of sight here for those who wanted to be even more festive.
There are always interesting things in the gift shop.
Somehow the seasonal bloomers like these mums seem right at home with huge tropical foliage.
They've just started bringing in exhibition mums that will be the stars of November's display.
Birds of paradise and elsewhere.
It's tempting to try and grow mums like this, especially the big football types (not pictured) but they require a lot of work and I'm pretty darned lazy.
Salvia dombeyi (?) Reminds me, I'd better bring mine inside soon.
There's that gorgeous huge agave (mapisaga var. lisa? ) No one seems to know.
Keep warm!
How great to have a bit of tropical paradise during the winter months so close by! It looks quite festive for Halloween!
ReplyDeleteIt's truly wonderful to have a place like this close by and best of all, I don't have to do any of the gardening there!
DeleteHow nice to have something like that close enogh to walk to.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice destination for a short stroll through the park.
DeleteExhibition mums are beautiful, but also a lot of work -- more than most gardeners want to do. It will be great when the Seymour is bigger, can't wait to see what they do with their new space.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how much new plant space there'll be. I know that restrooms are part of the plan to make the conservatory more user-friendly as an event space.
DeleteThe Seymour Conservatory is a walking distance from your house? Very nice. Whenever the gloom and doom of winter hits you, there is therapy right up the street. I tried to grow chrysanthemum pacificum one year, for the foliage and was disappointed when it didn't make through the winter. I should try again, although I don't often see it in nurseries.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Conservatory is in Wright park and is, indeed, a nice warm escape from winter.
DeleteHow I envy you having a place like that within walking distance. I hope you'll collect and post more photos when they've brought in all their exhibition chrysanthemums. I'd largely dismissed the plants before seeing one of your earlier posts on this Conservatory's specimens - they're unlike anything I ever see locally.
ReplyDeleteThe plants are usually not horribly expensive but have to be ordered from specialty growers or at a chrysanthemum society event. There is quite a bit of fussy work involved in creating big blooms. I think that the number of stems allowed to grow is limited, the plants are well fertilized and when buds form all but the the largest on each stem is pinched off allowing all energy to go to that one bloom.
DeleteThis conservatory is such a treasure! Lucky you to be its neighbor.
ReplyDeleteI agree. We were lucky to stumble into this house, kind of by accident 20 years ago.
DeleteI had no idea that was there! What fun! Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteCome on up and visit the conservatory sometime!
DeleteWhat fun. A gorgeous spot not far from you. I know you aren't lazy. You could grow/do anything you put your mind to.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the benefits of living in an urban area. Sort of offsets some of the drawbacks. I guess it's a matter of when the mums would need attention - late summer when there's a lot of other stuff requiring attention. Maybe they'll be a project for retirement.
DeleteYou are not pretty darned lazy! You work three jobs and you delight us with your blog five days a week. Jeez ... be kind to yourself.
ReplyDeleteYes, but my house looks like a tornado hit it most of the time.
DeleteLucky you! We have a conservatory up the road a piece, too--at the botanical garden. I don't go there much in the winter, but I think I need to make a habit of it. I ditto what the others said: You are NOT lazy.
ReplyDeleteSome years I visit the conservatory more than others. They tend to do the same sort of seasonal displays each year but there are always some interesting surprises.
DeleteHow fortunate to have this within walking distance. You've reminded me that Smith College's chrysanthemum show starts today. I must put that on my to-do list!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun conservatory. Makes me think we have to head back to our local Garfield Park conservatory.
ReplyDelete