Tuesday, February 28, 2017

A Gray Day Shot Through With Color

Every year about this time, I like to go visit the Franklin Park Conservatory. I'm a member, but I don't go as often as I should. But I definitely like to go in the late winter, when the world has been bereft of color for a good long time. Today was rainy too, making it extra gray, perfect for a visit.



I knew there would be orchids. There are always orchids there in the winter, and I wasn't disappointed. I especially liked this living wall found the minute you walk in the door. These upside down containers were also really interesting.



I tried growing orchids a couple times, but gave up when they stopped reblooming. But when I see these large displays of orchids, it makes me want to try again.






But finding butterflies was a lovely surprise. The Blooms and Butterflies display usually starts in March, after the orchids are gone. For some reason, I found both on display at once. Wonderful!





Anyone who has read my blog before knows that I'm fascinated by butterflies. There's just something about their fluttering flight that relaxes me. It just plain makes me happy to see them. I walked into the room, spotted them flying around, and immediately began to smile.




I did also visit the desert garden, and I found these mallards out in the courtyard. It was all lovely.





But nothing made me happier than seeing butterflies in February!







11 comments:

  1. What wonderful bright, cheerful images! Thank you, Robin! Have a lovely March!

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    1. It is a very cheerful place, especially in winter!

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  2. I kept thinking this looked familiar. I visited it about 2 years ago!

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    1. I didn't realize you had visited Columbus!

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  3. What a beautiful pick-me-up in the heart of still-yucky weather! This place reminds me of the garden domes in Milwaukee, WI - there are three of them - one desert, one tropical and one special floral. I've tried orchids a couple of times too, and haven't had good luck with them either. A friend of mine has a gorgeous, huge one in her kitchen with a ton of blooms. She said it gets a ton of direct sunlight. Maybe that's the trick?

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    1. I had my orchid for two or three years, and it even rebloomed once. But then it stopped, and I got tired of looking at it just sitting there! Honestly, even though I have quite a few houseplants, I find them annoying to care for at home. I'd much rather care for my outdoor garden.

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  4. What a treat to see such lovely butterflies in February! I have to admit the upside down plants are a bit unsettling to me. I am sure it is engineered so there is no problem, but I would expect soil to be plopping out, and what a mess it must make when they are watered!

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    1. Yes, I can totally relate to your opinion on upside down plants! Interesting, but not for me.

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  5. Robin, I so enjoyed this feast for the eyes this morning. Thank you! It is gray again here today, but warm, and I am tired of the gray days. Seeing those unusual butterflies really helped.~~Dee

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    1. It doesn't seem possible to be anything less than cheerful in the presence of butterflies!

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  6. Beautiful. I love butterflies too. It will be a joy to see them back in my garden.

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