From the beautiful changing of the leaves to events to fresh, new displays, Fall is one of the most fun times of the year to explore historic conservatories! Travel around the world with us in exploring some of the hidden gem conservatories you may not have heard of.

The Majorie McNeely Conservatory - St. Paul, Minnesota

Originally known as the Como Park Conservatory, it sits on about half an acre of the almost 400 acre campus of the Como Park Zoo in St. Paul, Minnesota. Designed by German-born architect Frederick Nussbaumer, Nussbaumer modeled this Victorian style glass domed conservatory after Kew Gardens in London. Completed in 1915, it is one of the few glass and wood conservatories left from that era.

The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is about 60,000 square feet, its footprint well over an acre (43,560 sq. ft.) and anchors the gardens. You’ll find, for example, a large collection of Bonsai plants, a continuation of St. Paul’s annual fascination with the chrysanthemum plus the marvellous Palm Dome. Here over 150 varieties of palms are on display along with a color selection of orchids. For more details about this marvellous conservatory confection, click here. With every visit, this Conservatory is guaranteed to inspire you for your own conservatory. View their website to plan your visit - they always have something extraordinary going on!

Syon Park Conservatory - London, England

At Syon, the eighteenth-century conservatory is transformed into an orchestrated interplay of solid materials and light. Neither the masonry nor the glass and metal dominate the composition; rather, the glass is liberated from its former function as windows. This concept of glass and metal as a singular expressive medium in architecture prefigures the grand glass palaces of the later nineteenth century and all of the modern architecture to come.

Syon Park Conservatory, one of the most famous in the world, straddles the line separating orangery from conservatory. It marks the high point of the orangery as a building type and the beginning of the true conservatory. 

Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory - Atlanta, Georgia

The Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory was opened in 1989 to highlight the botanical abundance of selected tropical and desert regions around the world. They teach the important issues of conservation and plant use through classes and fun family exhibits in hopes of spreading awareness.

Did you notice how unusual this conservatory looks compared to others we have shared? The Fuqua Conservatory is divided into four main display areas:

• Conservatory Foyer
• Orangerie
• Desert House
• Tropical Rotunda

With so many beautiful displays, it is no wonder the 16,000-square-foot Conservatory requires heat, hand-watering, ventilation and occasional organic pest control and fertilizers to maintain optimal climates for the variation in plant life. Sensors throughout the Conservatory check each minute, humidity, measuring light, and temperature, and automatic ventilation systems adjust accordingly.

For more information about their conservation and research efforts, learn more HERE. For upcoming events, exhibitions, and classes, click the button below!

Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Las Vegas, Nevada

The Vegas Strip seems like an unlikely location for a lovely glass conservatory... or does it??

The Bellagio Hotel Conservatory is a true oasis of calm. Referred to as a “14,000 square foot floral playground…”  it lives up to its billing with changes in the flora every season. Of course, its soaring 55 ft glass ceiling perfectly sets the stage for a truly over-the-top ever-changing display. Not only that, there is no charge to wander through this earthy space.

“Seasonal display” hardly describes what the talented team of horticulturists actually produce. For example, the theme of the 2019 summer production was “Under the Sea.” It consisted of some 80,000 blooming plants, including 6,000 tulips weekly. Interspersed were colorful statues of seahorses and with a delightful collection of jelly-fish like installations hanging from the glorious glass ceiling.

If you visit Sin City, make a point to see and experience exactly how a glass conservatory can change a frenetic atmosphere into a peaceful and restorative setting – food for thought as you think about a conservatory of your own. This marvelous spot is more than worth the trip!

Flower Dome & Cloud Forest, Singapore

Two amazing conservatories, both located in Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, offer perpetual spring in the Flower Dome and the mystery of a high mountain Cloud Forest.

Flower Dorm was listed by the 2015 Guinness World Records as the world’s largest glass greenhouse, made up of some 3,332 glass panels of 42 different shapes and sizes. With almost 3 acres under glass it comes by its record honestly. Its volume is equally startling – about as much as 75 Olympic size swimming pools.

Inside the climate is kept a balmy 73-77 degrees with humidity of about 80 percent. That precise temperature control is what allows the amazing variety of plants, from succulents to olive groves and everything in between to grow there in its various gardens – there’s even a bistro that features edible plants.

Cloud Forest is perhaps even more spectacular. The mountain inside rises to well over 100 feet and is designed to mimic an altitude of about 6,500 feet high. There is an impressive waterfall which has a viewing deck near the top. 

You reach the top via a path known as the Cloud Walk. It’s built out from the mountain in an almost undulating fashion giving you a close-up view in some places, and a bit more distance in others. 

The temperature and humidity are controlled to let you experience the mist so often found in a forest that high. You are, of course, surrounded by an amazing number of tropical trees and other plants.

This spectacular conservatory has 2,577 glass panels of 690 shapes! Together, Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are a conservatory experience not to be missed.  They will awe and inspire you.

Phipps Conservatory - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Phipps conservatory, set in "one of America's greenest public gardens," is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the Oakland neighborhood. Developed in 1893, this steel and glass Victorian conservatory is found in one of the city's biggest green spaces. This greenhouse, originally housing tropical plants from the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition (now known as the World's Fair), was a gift to the city of Pittsburgh by Henry Phipps, Jr. After emigrating as a child from England to Philadelphia, this son of a cobbler became a very wealthy man after becoming Andrew Carnegie's business partner in the Carnegie Steel Company. He was the company's second-largest shareholder before selling his stock and deciding to devote himself to more philanthropic efforts, the first of which would be the Phipps Conservatory.

The current Conservatory consists of thirteen rooms on 2.5 acres of land, with gardens, ponds, and fountains, surrounding the outside of one of this country's largest Victorian "crystal palaces." The entrance pavilion of the Phipps Conservatory currently boasts a LEED silver-level certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system started in 1998 for the "design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings."

Palacio de Cristal - Madrid, Spain

The Palacio was the first non-industrial building in Spain to be constructed of iron and glass and was built in only five months. Wrought iron in the shape of angels' faces decorates the upper ledge of the building; these decorations also serve as supports for the rain gutters. The ceramic tiles surrounding the perimeter of the building were made by Daniel Zuloaga, and are adorned with flowers, dragons and stars.

Roman Ondák, a Slovakian-born artist, is the most recent artist to have his work exhibited at the Palacio de Cristal. Ondák's creations are notable for their grand scale and specific purposes. The scene (the name of Ondák’s creation) was constructed and designed specifically for the Palacio de Cristal. It is an elevated walkway that is accessed from the inside of the building but which encircles the outside of the building. A brochure describing the walkway notes, "this walkway… offers all its visitors the opportunity of a new perception of the space, for the Palacio de Cristal can now be looked into from the outside in a way not previously permitted by its architecture."

The Palacio de Cristal has only needed to be restored twice. Once in 1975, when an addition at the back of the building was removed and enhancements were made which allowed the rooms to be used as exhibit halls, and then from 1994 - 1998. This restoration reinforced the metal structures, updated the security systems, and repaired some of the ceramic tiles.

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With fall quickly approaching, several public conservatories around the country are beginning to put fun new family events on their calendars! From the annual festival of fountains at Longwood Gardens to the beautiful Chihuly Collection display at Franklin Park, there’s a lot to love about the fall season at the conservatory.

Conservatories at Fall: Which Events Will You Attend?

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens | Virginia

From Sept. 1 through Oct.31, The Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens is hosting their annual PlantFest and HarvestFest! The Garden celebrates the fall season with vibrant seasonal displays and festive events that will be fun for the entire family. Experience nature this special time of year, while enjoying these harvest-themed activities.

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens | New York

Explore the spooky scenery and activities that will be fall fun for all! Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens is hosting a Wegmans Family Day on Oct. 23 that will have something for everyone in the family. Creatures will have taken over the Botanical Gardens for the Coleus and Creatures Exhibit. Also explore all the exciting plant creatures and learn about prehistoric creatures from past and present with even a scavenger hunt! 

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory | Minnesota

From Oct. 3 through Dec. 31 Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is hosting their annual The SPIRE Spark Show at their KSTP Amphitheater!  Sparky the sea lion is ready to make her big debut in Como Harbor. This reimagined show will highlight all 7 animals that call Como Harbor home each adopting the role of “Sparky” on any given day as they get to know each other, the habitat, and their adoring fans.

Centennial Park Conservatory | Tennessee 

Join the Nashville tradition of celebrating and supporting American handmade craft as Tennessee Craft returns to Centennial Park Conservatory for its 44th Annual Fall Craft Fair from Oct. 7 through Oct. 9. Visit the Park to shop finely crafted artwork directly from juried and emerging artists. Plus, enjoy children’s activities, food from local vendors, and artist demonstrations.

Allan Gardens Conservatory | Toronto

Allan Gardens Conservatory is hosting its annual Pumpkin Carve-A-Thon Oct. 30 where families can come and carve their very own mini-pumpkin to take home! While the gardens will supply the pumpkins and carving equipment that is needed. A family fun activity during this autumn season! 

Conservatory of Flowers | California

Join Conservatory of Flowers as they celebrate the transition of seasons with the launch of new plants that are blooming within their gardens. The Conservatory has over 100 different species to admire throughout their spaces. From aquatic plants to potted plants learn the different vegetation that is blooming, today!

Garfield Park Conservatory | Illinois

Garfield Conservatory is hosting the 2022 Artist’s Garden exhibit Garden Nouveau in an homage to the Art Nouveau movement. Garden Nouveau will showcase many of the flowers Élisabeth Sonrel, an artist known for magnificent posters and watercolors, painted such as lilies, roses, hydrangeas, and oleanders.  This wonderful exhibit is currently happening and will continue until Oct. 2.

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Are you looking to plan a fun Mother’s Day at local public conservatories?

With such beautiful weather approaching and the florals at the botanical gardens beginning to blossom, now is a perfect time to visit local public conservatories! Stroll through carefully crafted garden displays, grab a bite to eat, and participate in an activity (or two!)  at conservatories!

Below are a few conservatories and botanical gardens hosting upcoming events. For a list of more botanical gardens, check out the Conservatory Heritage Society’s Conservatory Library!

Flights of Fancy at Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden

Explore the vibrant world of “Flights of Fancy” with fun lighting, a whimsical soundtrack suited to the theme, and a lavender scent filling the space. The colorful display was created by designer Ed Libby and the Bellagio horticulture and engineering teams. This year’s spring display features a larger variety of plants and flowers than the conservatory has ever used before. “Flights of Fancy” is on display until May 14.

Spring Flower Show at Como Park Conservatory

Celebrate spring with an inspiring display of primary colored florals. Red and yellow bulbs along with blue hydrangeas and multicolored tulips. You’ll find the display in the Sunken Garden area of the conservatory. The display is on show until May 1.

Butterflies of the Nile at Krohn Conservatory

Get up close and personal with butterflies in Krohn Conservatory’s Ancient Egyptian Garden. The space is inspired by the gardens of ancient Egypt and based on paintings found in old tombs and temples. Experience the magic of butterflies at the exhibit until June 19. 

Grand Opening of W.W. Seymour Conservatory at Wright Park

After a year of renovations, come explore the new additions to this classic conservatory on Saturday, May 14 from 12 to 6 p.m. at its grand opening. There will be free plants, a scavenger hunt and a naming contest for some of the local wildlife. In addition, there will be a station to make flower crowns and enjoy ice cream and food vendors.

“Pillars of Spring” Flower Show at Lincoln Park Conservatory

Explore the colorful spring world of “Pillars of Spring”. Uniquely, the flowers are arranged vertically on walls and free-standing pillars. The display features flowers, like: geranium,  larkspur, camellias, azaleas, and dianthus. The spring flower show is on disp;ay until May 8. Registration is required to attend the opening event..

If you are on the East Coast of the United States, check out these local public conservatories!

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