Find Some Spring

We are all tired of winter here in the Midwest. That is putting it mildly....
Well, I have a cure for the winter time blues. Head for your nearest botanical garden conservatory! 

Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Belle Isle, Detroit, MI

Show room in Belle Isle Conservatory, Detroit, MI

The fern room at Belle Isle Conservatory, Detroit, MI

My nearest conservatory is on Belle Isle in Detroit. I go as often as I can. I absolutely love it and am so happy it has survived the hard economic times that have plagued Detroit.

  There is nothing to make you feel better about winter. You open the doors and the smell of damp earth and flowers wafts out to greet you. If you can't spend time outside, what could be better at this time of year?

Hidden Lakes Gardens, Tipton, MI

This picture of Hidden Lakes Garden Conservatory was during their spring show. It was so beautiful! Tulips, forced forsythia, amaryllis, hyacinths, and of course, as you can see, colored umbrellas. It was a breath of fresh air!

Kingwood Center, Mansfield, OH

Kingwood Center, Mansfield, OH

Kingwood Center in Ohio is an amazing garden. I always go in September when the Ohio African Violet Society is having its show and sale. The garden always has a plant sale in the conservatory also. It is a plant filled shopping day!

New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY

A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to be able to visit the New York Botanical Garden. I was able to see their display of vertical gardens designed by the French botanist Patrick Blanc. It was phenomenal!

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Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago,IL

Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago, IL

Lincoln Park Conservatory and Garfield Park in Chicago are both beautiful conservatories. Garfield Park was designed by Jens Jensen and as you can see, it is like being out in nature with streams and ponds and the most beautiful plants.

Longwood Gardens, Kennet Square, PA

The piece de resistance of these conservatories is, in my opinion, Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. I spent the whole day there and would have slept there if they would have let me. Absolutely unbelievable!

Longwood Gardens, Kennet Square, PA

Frederick Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI

Frederick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI is a relatively new garden, but you wouldn't know it. It has evolved into a beautiful conservatory. The picture was taken when Chihuly pieces were displayed in the garden.

Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh, PA

Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh is huge! I didn't have much time there, but I will return sometime and really take my time. Even my husband said he could have spent more time there, and that is saying a lot! 
So as this never-ending winter continues, take some time and visit the nearest conservatory. You will be so glad you did!

Dolls' Shoes

Thunbergia mysorensis

I have discovered a beautiful vine. I saw it last year at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, as well as this year. And then, recently, I saw it at the New York Botanical Garden. It is so interesting. Its common names include Indian Clock Vine, Lady's Slipper Vine, and Dolls' Shoes.

Vines hanging down the wall at Matthaei

I can certainly see the concept of  lady's slippers and dolls' shoes in the flowers. It appears that fairies have hung their slippers up together on a string. Thunbergia mysorensis is an evergreen climbing vine, found in Southern Spain and India. The mysorensis is derived from the city of Mysore in India. It can grow up to 20' and in its natural habitat it is attractive to hummingbirds.
At Matthaei it hangs down from a wall and at the New York Botanical Garden, there is a huge arch of them. The whole arch is dripping in yellow and burgundy flowers. 
Isn't it a gorgeous vine?

An arch of them at the New York Botanical Garden

Arch of Dolls' Slippers at the New York Botanical Garden.

Fountain in front of arch at New York Botanical Garden.

Matthaei

Matthaei