• Home
  • Meet Mary
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Contact
  • Northern Gardener Book

My Northern Garden

January 31, 2012 · 2 Comments

Steam Treatment: A Visit to the Como Conservatory

Why We Garden

path in conservatory

What a calm path to wander on a cold winter day.

Maybe it was because I’m at the end of a moderately miserable cold, but I really wanted to visit the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park this week. Luckily, I had two meetings in the Twin Cities today, with a nice spot of time between them to go soak up the warm, humid air.

Even though the outside temperatures were mild for January (about 40 at midday), it felt wonderful to walk into the fern room and experience the sudden rush of warmth and humidity. My camera fogged up, so I had no choice but to settle down on a bench and just breath deeply. (My sinuses felt better already!) The sunken garden, one of my favorite parts of the conservatory, was closed as the conservatory crews took down the holiday display and put up the spring display — lots of bright, beautiful lilies, which may inspire a return trip.

green pond with statue

St. Francis watches over the pond.

It was all green-on-green in the palm room and then I visited a room full of plants that produce the spices we love — an over-the-top-of-the-door vanilla vine, black pepper plant, ginger and other medicinal and useful plants. With a pool in the center, flanked by a statue of St. Francis, the room was calm and soothing. Francis is surrounded by Pothos, a common houseplant, that really thrives in the sun and humidity of the conservatory.

Calanthe grouville

Later, I wandered into the room where the winners of a the conservatory’s orchid contest were displayed. The smell was glorious on one side of the room; pungent on the other — at least to my nose — and all the orchids were showstoppers.

Soon it was time to head out to my next meeting. I left feeling refreshed and inspired.

Related posts:

  1. The People’s Garden Give the Founding Fathers a lot of credit: Not only...
  2. A One Hour Tropical Vacation Update from 2018: I have visited the wonderful Marjorie McNeely...
  3. Summer Visit to Squire House Gardens Yesterday, I took a side trip on my way home...
« Big Changes in Minnesota Hardiness Zone Map
Book Review: The Way We Garden Now »

Comments

  1. Donna Becker says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    Years ago, my husband and I visited the orchid house at Longwood Gardens (a former Dupont estate in Kennett Square, PA). Thousands of blooms tumbling from perches built into walls, on tables, in beds, and spilling out of every imaginable type of container. Fragrances drifted from many of the varieties.
    It wasn’t the first time in my life that I realized the healing power of flowers, but it was one that remains picture-perfect in my mind to this day. My experience there confirmed that when I’m feeling low, I can visit plants — even at the local garden center — and get a pick-me-up.
    I’m glad you share the same motivation!

  2. Mary Schier says

    February 3, 2012 at 9:48 am

    Longwood Gardens is on my want-to-visit list. I’ve heard it’s spectacular. You are so right about the benefits of being surrounded by nature.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Connect

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed for Posts

Now Available!

My Northern Garden book

mynortherngarden_mary

Author, editor, blogger. Plants, how-tos, books, recipes, and Lola, the dog. #coldclimategarden
#nativeplants
#urbangarden
#gardenwriter

Instagram post 2190808837592766596_1447832097 This book from the amazing @homesteadbrooklyn and two others reviewed on the blog today. Link in bio. All address our divorce from nature and how/why to reconnect. Good reading for winter. .
.
.
#howtocatchamole #howtocatchamoleandfindyourselfinnature @greystonebooks #markhamer #moles #houseplants #millenialsloveplants #gardenreading #gardenbooks #nature #theartistsgarden #gardensinspireart #artistsandtheirgardens #gardenblogger #reviewonblog #mynortherngarden
Instagram post 2186530642328682344_1447832097 Even in a snow hat, the gray-haired clematis looks good. .
.
#alphinabluedancer #bluedancerclematis clematis #donahuesclematis #winterinterest #mynortherngarden #northerngardener #minnesnowta #thanksgivingsnow
Instagram post 2186443825478771999_1447832097 After needing to be carried outside to do her business, Lola settles in for the snow day. .
.
.
#minnesnowta #dogsofinstagram #hernamewaslola #dogshaming #shortlegs #snowstorm #dachshundmix
Instagram post 2183797691195279982_1447832097 Thank you, @mnhort and @fleur_de_louise_flower_studio for this stunning door swag. Love the wheat and ribbon!! .
.
.
#mnhort #holidaydecor #doorswag #doordecor #itsbeginningtolookalotlikechristmas  #mnmaker
Instagram post 2183063749567501424_1447832097 Box of books✅
Author poster✅
Homemade butter caramels to lure shoppers ✅✅
I’m ready for tomorrow’s @mnhort Holiday Open House. If you are near Rosedale Center, the office is just west at 1935 County Rd B2. Vendors, a chance to make a fun door swag and  a once a year deal on gift memberships in MSHS. I’d love to see you there.
.
,
#mnmakers #holidayshopping #shoplocal #authorlife #gardenwriter #coldclimategardener #mngarden #gardenbook
Instagram post 2179533207471514301_1447832097 Thanksgiving centerpiece—done! Thanks to @fleur_de_louise_flower_studio and @mnhort class at @badweatherbrew  tonight. Great instruction and idea. .
.
.
#mnflorist #holidaydecor #centerpiecesideas #mnhort #makeandtakeclasses #decorating #falldecor
Instagram post 2177844428016899255_1447832097 Counting up my books in advance of the Holiday Open House at @mnhort  next weekend (Nov. 23). If you are a #mnmaker with garden or nature themed decor, cards, jewelry etc looking for an intimate event to sell your wares, DM me and I’ll connect you. We have room for one or two more folks. The open house includes a wreath class, super discounts on gift memberships in the Hort society, the popular T shirts and tools from the @mnstatefair etc. Plus, of course, moi there to sell and sign copies of the Northern Gardener book. ..
.
#mnmakers #mnhort #supportmnhort #northerngardener #holidayevent #holidaygifts #homemadegifts #homemademn #mynortherngarden #gardenwriter #authorlife
Instagram post 2170630061458252617_1447832097 Kudos to the foresters at the @cityofsaintpaul They are replanting the boulevard in my neighborhood and they are doing it right! Lots oaks for pollinators, planted in fall, and there’s a mulch moat not a volcano at the base of the tree. Yes! .
..
#streettrees #howtoplantatree #treeplanting #citytree #urbantree #eab #ashreplacement #northerngardening #minnesotagardening #mystpaul #stpaultrees #urbangarden
Instagram post 2168499509485654950_1447832097 November has arrived with a cold thud: clematis flowers that look like an old lady’s wig, frosted sunflowers and ice caps on the rudbeckia. We’re promised a warmer day tomorrow (40 ish) then back to the gray and cold. .
.
.
#mynortherngarden #mygarden #novembergarden #clematis #sunbelievable #sunflower #henryeilers #frost #snow #earlywinter #minnesotaweather #mnhort #minnesotagardening #coldclimategardening
Instagram post 2167925642178417945_1447832097 Hitched a ride with my sister to the #tcheartball Great cause and they have some gorgeous flowers on the table. Love that this includes the dianthus we featured on the Northern Gardener in May/June! .
.
.
#hearthealthy #floralarrangement #hydrangea #roses #floraldisplay
Instagram post 2166450568652930519_1447832097 I was going for surprised rather than spooky. Mostly looks glum. .
.
#halloween #trickortreat #jackolantern #carving #readyfortrickortreat #realcandles #stpaulmn #stpaulhalloween
Instagram post 2164311892590370324_1447832097 Working on this all the time! .
.
.
#vegetablewisdom #positivethinking #gardenphilosophy
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Top Posts & Pages

  • Art, Moles and Why We Need Plants: Three Book Reviews
  • Big Changes in Minnesota Hardiness Zone Map
  • A Sea of Poinsettias for the Holidays
  • What to Do with Not-Quite-Ripe Winter Squash? Recipes Included
  • How to Read Soil Test Results
  • Two Gardeners: A Friendship in Letters
  • Weed of the Week: Stinging Nettle
  • Big, Bad, Buckthorn
  • Blueberry Jam/Jelly Recipe
  • Best Climate-Hardy Trees for the North

Post Categories

  • Books/Writing
  • Climate
  • How to
  • Plants
  • Recipes
  • Uncategorized
  • Why We Garden

Copyright © 2019 · captivating theme by Restored 316