The Planting Fields Conservatory

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My camera malfunctioned at the end of day one , Garden Bloggers Fling . I have added the point-and-shoot to the Permanent Electronics Packing List . It was somewhat liberating to be camera-less for 2 days of garden touring, but now that I have been liberated once, I don't care to be so again. Thanks to Alison at Bonney Lassie who did in fact have the forethought to pack an extra camera , and kindly allowed me to borrow it for Saxon Holts' photo workshop on Saturday morning. Are there any people better than gardeners ? How splendid it would be if we ruled the world.

 The point here is that I was unable to take images at The Hall of Flowers in San Francisco so I am reverting to the previous weekends visit to New York -my camera was fully operational at the Planting Fields Arboretum, and this is my substitute conservatory gig.Over the years I've visited a fair number of conservatory facilities, and it seemed that they were uniformly dusty and ill-maintained spaces , full of mundane plants that were not very well cared for ; San Francisco was no exception. In 1999  an 8 year restoration began on this Victorian landmark, and I am ashamed to say this was my first visit since it reopened . It won't be my last ..and next time I'll have my camera.
 So this winding dissertation brings us back to Long Island, and a first rate glass house at the the Planting Fields.

 The bromiliad displays were particularly well done, the Spanish moss adding a romantic touch  .








All was pristine.




There was a particularly nice Begonia collection.





Nice containers too.


.Love this guy..a cycad Zamia furfuacea maybe ?




Comments

  1. danger gardenJuly 4, 2013 at 10:23 PM

    It's nice to see another conservatory and it looks very well done. Every rainy winter I wish Portland had a nice warm conservatory to escape to...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ksJuly 5, 2013 at 7:48 PM

      Wouldn't that be nice Loree? I wonder if conservatories are even built anymore .

      Delete
  2. Mark and GazJuly 5, 2013 at 1:44 AM

    What a fabulous looking place, and the sort of planting that we love!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ksJuly 5, 2013 at 7:51 PM

      It had some unique elements, and though relatively small it was one of the nicest I've visited.

      Delete
  3. Deanne FortnamJuly 5, 2013 at 3:21 AM

    That was a fabulous conservatory, beautiful and beautifully maintained plants and a great collection. I think they had more bromeliads than I do, LOL. I could have swooned when I walked through the doors. Loved the different levels too. Great pics Kathy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ksJuly 5, 2013 at 7:52 PM

      c'mon Deanne, NO ONE has more Bromeliads than you do !

      Delete
  4. outlawgardenerJuly 5, 2013 at 8:32 AM

    Beautiful conservatory! I was blown away by the conservatory of flowers & you're lucky to live so close!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ksJuly 5, 2013 at 7:55 PM

      Glad I live close too Peter, I'm plotting a visit when my camera gets out of the hospital ..

      Delete
  5. SueJuly 6, 2013 at 5:03 AM

    My group marched through the Planting Fields conservatory fairly quick so I didn't get many shots. These are fabu. Definitely a well done and impeccably maintained garden feature. Although also small, I really enjoy winter trips to the conservatories at Tower Hill. Nice to have an escape relatively close by.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ksJuly 7, 2013 at 6:55 PM

      It was easy to get lost there, Marlene was excellent at viewing the map , though we had to ask for directions a couple of times. I wonder if we missed anything ?

      Delete
  6. DeniseJuly 7, 2013 at 4:43 PM

    Nothing like conservatory porn. You're right, this one was a stunner, as was SF's. Incredibly high levels of maintenance and care in both.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ksJuly 7, 2013 at 6:57 PM

      Going back to SF before the clock turns to 2014..but the camera repair is first on the agenda.

      Delete

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