There is nothing like a industrial plant - filled methamphetamine - house to get you through a cold Minnesota winter , and we northerly gardeners will soon have a new place to get our fix of humidness and plant .
TheUniversity of Minnesota College of Biological Sciencesis openinga new conservatorythis spring , which will put up display and a collection of more than 1,600 works specie , mostly from the Southern Hemisphere . These works include rarefied and endangered plants , and represent four biome very different from our own . While the conservatory will be open for guide tours and ego - lead visits , it is a work glasshouse where mental faculty members and pupil at the university will conduct enquiry and have classes .
The conservatory’sGrand Openingwill be restrain March 21 and aspecial trailer partywill be take hold Thursday , Feb. 20 , which will be a fundraiser for the conservatory and include food inspire by the four biomes from noted Twin Cities chef , Tim McKee(Octo Fishbar & The Pisces Guys);Mike DeCamp(Jester construct : Borough , Monello , P.S. Steak , Parlour , Constantine);Tyge Nelson(Pajarito ) andJack Riebel(The Lexington ) .
Fenestraria in bloom
Curator Lisa Philanderled members of the MSHS board and staff on a stalker peek tour of duty in December . The plant in the display domain are still small but represent fascinating biomes from around the globe . The four biomes include maritime , desert , sub - tropical and tropical climates — all base to various and unusual groups of plants , many from far - flung parts of the orb such asNew CaledoniaandSocotra .
The solicitation is the most various plant collection in the Upper Midwest and the only one clear to the public . Some of the plants are intimate as houseplant ( that ’s Lisa with a Norfolk Island pine tree ) while others represent endangered or invasive plant groups .
think , for instance , the first picture in this article . It’sFenestraria phopalophylla , a plant that acquire under the sand in southern Africa . The flat tops of its succulent stanch allow igniter to nourish the plant . Its bloom look like daisies — completely unexpected . Fenestraria is sell to houseplant lovers as babe toes .
Curator Lisa Philander talks about the new conservatory.
Another fascinating plant was thisBulbophyllum phalaenopsisis a case of orchidaceous plant with farseeing , thick leaf and electric-light bulb structures that baby-sit on the top of the soil . They do flower , though the flowers are orotund , haired and very unlike in shape from the orchids you would bribe at the memory board . They also reek !
There is much more to be said about the new conservatoire ( and we will have an clause inNorthern Gardenerlater this year ) . Meanwhile , be sure to stop by for the lofty possibility and see this new horticultural gem in Minnesota .
You can see where Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis gets its name!
