5 Beautiful Places to See Spring Bloom
Missouri Botanical Garden’s Orchid Show
For an unforgettable display of orchids, the Missouri Botanical Garden offers 7,500 individual orchid plants. This year’s Mayan theme pays homage to the Long Count calendar, which some say predicts the world’s end in 2012. Moss-covered mannequins wearing imposing headpieces made of dried botanicals, a serpent fountain and replicas of Mayan stone sculptures are mixed into the tropical display.
Lauded as having the most notable display gardens in the Midwest, the Chicago Botanic Garden features four natural areas and 24 display gardens, all on nine islands surrounded by lakes. The official first day of spring is March 20, so they’re heading into winter’s home stretch. Thanks to warmer temperatures and melting snow, Witch Hazels are now in bloom to view as well.
Also in bloom are, Evergreens, berries and colorful twigs on red-twig dogwood, the green-stemmed Japanese kerria and golden weeping willows provide interest even on dull, cloudy days. Take a walk along the east road to view the Japanese Gardens or around the Great Basin for serene views of the ice-covered lakes.
When you need to warm up, take a quick trip to the tropics in their Greenhouses. Enjoy the fragrance of sweet almond verbena, Japanese pittosporum and fragrant olive. Children and adults alike will be delighted by finding the cocoa tree, bananas, animal topiaries, succulents both beautiful and bizarre, prickly cactus and beautiful orchids.
Recognized as ‘One of the Top 14 Places in the World to See Spring Flowers’ by MSN.com in 2010, Dallas Blooms is largest floral festival in the southwest with over 500,000 spring-blooming bulbs. Tulips, daffodils and hyacinths abound in the 66 acre garden with vibrant colors creating an amazing backdrop to the city of Dallas.
The New York Botanical Garden’s “The Orchid Show: On Broadway“ utilizes a Tony award-winning set designer to bring the charm of the theater outdoors. The show stars 5,000 orchids. There will be more than 300 types of orchids on display, showcased with high drama in curtains, arcades and chandeliers.
Philadelphia International Flower Show
The 2011 Philadelphia International Flower Show will transport visitors to the beautiful City of Light – the capital of art, fashion, food, and love. A blooming “Springtime in Paris” will greet guests with a bucolic park scene along the Seine. Flowering trees, lilacs, roses and borders of lavender will lead visitors through gardens inspired by the Tuileries. In the distance, a daring Moulin Rouge atmosphere will pulse with cabaret performances, spectacular flower sculptures and carousel topiaries.
Don’t miss free gardening presentations, 150 held throughout the week, as well as dozens of educational displays that explore the newest gardening trends. And for Shoppers – Find a bustling Marketplace with an array of take-home products to get the garden started and the official Flower Show Shoppe with 2011 Show merchandise. Foodies will love the Free Wine Tastings, presented by the PA Wine & Spirits Store. There’s something for everyone!
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*Information for this post is attributed to CNN