On Saturday, I went to the Garfield Park Conservatory for the first time in my nineteen years in Chicagoland. The visit was prompted by Katie’s Instagram last week. She called it her “annual February desperate to see/smell something green” visit. Lucky for Karen, Peggy and I, the Spring Flower Show, “Sun Showers” just opened. It was the perfect antidote to the cold, snowy, dark, dreary days of winter. We went on a rare sunny day. The sunbeams were pouring in and the conservatory was warm and humid. It felt like we went on a little vacation. We took our coats off and walked around breathing in the fresh dirt and the bright flower fragrance. Here’s a little peek at some of the flowers…
The yellow umbrellas were so cheerful! I am going to make many efforts to go back as often as I can. The conservatory is less than five miles from my house–only a few train stops away!! I can’t wait to go back again and see what new flowers emerge as the flower show goes on until May 10th.
Inside another room of the conservatory was a quote by William Cowper’s The Task, which I think captures the feeling of our day the best,
“Who loves a garden, loves a greenhouse too.
Unconscious of a less propitious clime
There blooms exotic beauty, warm and snug,
While the winds whistle and the snows descend.”
I’m definitely thinking spring and gardening!
What a beautiful place!
Beautiful!!! You got some really good pictures. Wish I could have that in my backyard!!
You & Dad HAVE to come up and see it!
Oh, Kimberly. It shines through my screen. Apart from the odd crocus, nothing in bloom here. The only thing familiar are the umbrellas. .
Cath, being in the conservatory made me anxious for spring. Yesterday was our first warm day in awhile so hopefully real flowers are coming soon!
What a beautiful place! Thank you for sharing the photos. I’m craving seeing flowers this time of year.
It did a world of good for my mood, Julia, to see the flowers. It reminds me that spring is juuuuust around the corner.