Midwest Region

Como Park Conservatory - Como Park
St Paul, Minnesota

From its beginnings in 1913, Twin Cities residents have referred to St. Paul's Como Park Conservatory as the jewel in the crown of Como Park. The glimmering glass and aluminum Victorian building is home to a huge variety of plants, flowers and cultural activities. Nearly half a million visitors a year enjoy the color and warmth of the Conservatory.

The Palm Room contains a collection of palms from warm climates all over the world. The North Garden features economical plants such as ginger, bamboo, coffee, cashew, mint, banana, cotton, macadamia, gum, grapefruit, papaya, pomegranate, cayenne pepper, tangerine, and vanilla. Visitors proceed to the cool and humid Fern Room and then to the Gallery Garden. The Sunken Garden features a changing display of floral color year round.

Learn more about Como Park Conseratory at the web site World Under Glass.

Krohn Conservatory
Cincinnati, Ohio

This structure, completed in 1933, replaced the old Eden Park range of greenhouses built in 1902 on the same site. A large variety of ferns, both terrestrial and epiphytic, reside in the high humidity and warm temperatures of this house. An unusual cycad, bromeliad, and begonia collection surrounds the two naturalistic pools. Several important economic plants are represented: among them. A 20-foot waterfall cascades over layers of native limestone into a stream running the length of the house.

Rising 45 feet, the great height of this central house is designed especially for palms and other tropical forest trees. Beneath the palms, several distinct layers of smaller palms, shrubby plants and ground cover vie for the light that makes its way to the rain forest floor. Look up! Epiphytic bromeliads, orchids, and ferns are growing in many of the trees.

The biggest attractions since the Conservatory opened in 1933 are the six seasonal floral shows. Many different themes are presented in ever-changing, attractive settings, but the stars of the shows are the seasonal flowers. Surrounding the changing exhibits is the permanent Citrus collection of oranges, kumquats, giant Ponderosa lemons, and grapefruits.

At the far end of the Floral Display House is a small corridor that leads to the Desert Garden, Cincinnati's indoor desert. Beyond the desert area is the Orchid House and behind it is the Floral Display House. From the several thousand orchids growing in our greenhouses, only those plants - approximately 75 -- which are in their peak blooming period are displayed.

Learn more about the Krohn Conservatory at their web site at , Krohn Conservatory

The Domes -
Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Stroll the jungle-like trails of the Tropical Dome and see 1,200 species from five continents on either side of the equator - where 50 are in bloom on any given day! Fruits, nuts, spices, and more than 500 species of orchids surround you as you're drawn toward a rushing waterfall in this spectacular paradise. Be sure to look for the colorful birds who nest in this rain forest!

Come to the deserts of Africa, Madagascar, South America and Mexico in the Arid Dome, where one of the world's finest collection of cacti, succulents, shrubs and land bulbs grow in their natural environment. An oasis of pampas grass and desert palms awaits as you amble the pathways past the sandy terrain of the Canary Islands, Bolivia and Peru.

Enter a themed seasonal experience and delight to thousands of Poinsettias and Christmas lights or Easter lilies in the Show Dome. Five changing seasonal floral displays will inspire you as the brilliance and beauty of colorful blossoms envelop your senses.

Please visit Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory web page.

The Climatron - Missouri Botanical Garden
St. Louis, Missouri

The Climatron has become a symbol of the Missouri Botanical Garden. This stunning, geodesic-domed conservatory houses a tropical rainforest display, including streams, waterfalls, and some 1,200 species of plants in a natural setting. Visitors enjoy seeing banana, cacao, and coffee trees, lianas, bromeliads, cycads, passion flowers, and colorful orchids. Its design was inspired by the futuristic design of R. Buckminster Fuller. Covering more than a half-acre, the Climatron houses some 1,200 species of plants in a tropical setting. Stop to look at the bananas, cacao, and coffee trees, plus a collection of orchids and epiphytes.

To see more pictures of the Climatron, visit the homepage at , Missouri Botanical Garden

Wilder Park Conservatory - Elmhurst Park
Elmhurst, Illinois

A historic tradition lives on at the Elmhurst Park District Conservatory and greenhouses, located in Wilder Park. These buildings are informally dedicated to the memory of some of Elmhurst's first families who at one time resided in the building which today has become the Elmhurst Public Library. Today the conservatory, the greenhouses and the Wilder Park gardens continue to provide beauty and serve the varied interests of Elmhurst residents.

Learn more about the Wilder Park Conservatory at the link, Wilder Park Conservatory

Garfield Park Conservatory
Chicago, Illinois

One of the nations largest gardens under glass, the Garfield Park Conservatory features several greenhouses with climates ranging from tropical to desert. The conservatory is a first rate collection of historically significant plants and an educational resource for people of all ages. The conservatory hosts five world class flower shows each year including the Chrysanthemum Show, Winter Show, Azalea Show, Spring Show, and Summer Tropical Show. Garfield Park Conservatory is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and admission is free. Tours are available by appointment.

For more information on this conservatory, go to Garfield Park Conservatory

Lincoln Park Conservatory
Chicago, Illinois.

Near the Lincoln Park Zoo and the shores of Lake Michigan is the historic Lincoln Park Conservatory. It has four exquisite glass houses and two outdoor gardens. The main garden features formal beds, while Grandmother's Garden has an informal perennial display. The conservatory hosts five world class flower shows each year including the Chrysanthemum Show, Winter Show, Azalea Show, Spring Show, and Summer Tropical Show. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm and admission is free.