We ’re head back into the deep frost here in Minnesota , which is the unspoilt fourth dimension I know of to chit-chat theMarjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park in St. Paul . The Como conservatoire is a democratic destination for Northerner seeking a disruption from the cold , juiceless air that we experience this time of class .
The Sunken Garden was closed the daylight I visited as actor put together the displays for the annual Winter Flower Show , this yr entitled “ Super Bold , ” which opens this Saturday , Jan. 13 , and run through mid - March . The plantsman were setting up lots of deep majestic cyclamen , pansy and azaleas , which reminded me of a sure professional football squad with its eye on the Super Bowl .
Even without the Sunken Garden , the Como conservatory is a joy to walk around and soak in the moist air . I was surprised how many people were there , even on a Wednesday afternoon . The conservatory let in several displays about the plants that bring forth spices , such as Cinnamomum zeylanicum and black pepper . ACalamondin orange treearched over one of the walk , cloggy with small-scale , bright orange . Palm tree diagram and other tropic leafage plants give the Como hothouse a pleasant , jungle feel .
Two visitors pause on the walkway at the Como conservatory. A Calamondin orange tree arches over the path.
One of my favored plant was a leaf plant calledrattlesnake calathea(Calathea lancifolia).A popular and easy to grow houseplant , the leaves are long and lush in the conservatory environment . The have oblong spot arranged along the folio that sure enough do prompt you of the peel of a rattlesnake . With a ground of ferns , the leave stood out amidst the greenery .
Como is known for itsJapanese Gardenas well as the conservatory , and overlooking that garden is a room filled with bonsai trees . Several bonsai azalea were in bloom in semblance of red and garden pink . On warm years , walk through the Japanese garden is pleasant , even in winter , because Japanese gardens are more about shape and texture than they are about bloom .
The Como conservatory has a variety of events throughout the wintertime , includingfree Sunday good afternoon concertsand aValentine ’s Dinnerin the Sunken Garden . If you have never been to the conservatory before , let this wintertime be the meter you confab .
Bonsai azaleas were in bloom in the bonsai room overlooking Como’s Japanese garden.
Rattlesnake calathea stand out amid the foliage in the Como conservatory.
