The Franklin Park Conservatory Part I

On a recent visit to Columbus Ohio, Mr. Fix-it and I ventured out to a local attraction called The Franklin Park Conservatory. I took a lot of pictures even though this mecca was not really a botanical garden, it did have a lot to offer to the gardener in me. Therefore we shall have three posts on this park. 

We start with the conservatory itself. Upon entering the building is quite massive with a good amount of neat sculptures. One included a two story spider web complete with a spider made from resin. Another was a twenty foot tall orchid that looked so real Mr. Fix-it had to go check it out for me. But what really caught my eye was the Chihuly sculptures. Upon wandering around we discovered an entire Chihuly room. The room included sculptures and nice displays demonstrating and explaining about all the different types of glass Chihuly makes. It was pretty neat. The sculptures above were massive and so beautiful I took several shots of them.

Once we each purchased our entrance tickets (with a $2 military discount-YEAH for businesses that show their appreciation for the military!) we entered into a sort of cave grotto area that had windows and skylights filled with Chihuly. How about this display to really wow you? I have seen Chihuly glass in Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville but never have I seen it displayed so beautifully and colorfully as here.

And here. It was pretty amazing!

Upon leaving the grotto we then entered into the conservatory. While I think conservatories are nice enough, the moisture from the controlled atmosphere usually damages my phone and camera. We did not linger in the conservatories needless to say. This area was kind of neat though. It had a working train in and amongst the vegetation.

After exiting the conservatory we ventured into the park. I initially thought this was a botanical garden but no, it really is a park for residents and there is no charge for walking among the gardens and pastoral landscape to enjoy a day off. There were many folks doing just that on the day we visited.

The conservatory is quite large and in fact has two separate glass houses. We only visited one but did walk around the entire building to look at the gardens. This particular garden was called 'The Bride's Garden'. It was furnished in all white plants and had a lovely alter where I assume outdoor weddings are held periodically.

Upon leaving The Bride's Garden we found a nice stand of bottlebrush buckeye in full bloom. Heck, it wouldn't be Ohio without buckeye since Ohio is known as the Buckeye State. If you ever wondered why Ohio is known as the Buckeye State do check out the link. It is interesting information if you are into trivia. I really had no idea why Ohio was called the Buckeye State but now I know.

After venturing out away from the conservatory we came upon several formal gardens. We'll take a look at them on Wednesday and Friday....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Chihuly at Cheekwood

From In the Garden

This weekend was such a glorious weekend! The weather was perfect although there was no rain and we need rain. That's okay because our family took a trip to Cheekwood in Nashville to see the Chihuly exhibit. The last day to see this exhibit is October 29th so hurry! You don't want to miss the exhibit and the grounds at Cheekwood are stunning. The cost is $15 per person for adults but if you are military be sure to ask for a discount because Cheekwood is highly supportive of the military and all military folks get a 50% off discount! A bargain indeed for a great day out with the family. I wished my other daughter could've joined us but her husband is busy preparing to deploy and so a visit to Cheekwood with us was not in the cards. Perhaps next time.

These are but a few of the pictures I took at Cheekwood. Mr. Fix-it thought we would never move on with me taking all sorts of pictures but the exhibit exceeded my expectations so much that I had to try to record it all. You just can't tell the scale of the glass in pictures and really must see it in person in order to get the full spectacular effect. But without further ado let's looks at some photos of Cheekwood...

From In the Garden

A grotto/reflecting pool area under the mansion. In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Cheekwood visitors receive a special treat in that many artifacts and belongings of the family who donated Cheekwood were on display. I loved this part best! You can tour the mansion for free and that is where you'll find some great Chihuly chandeliers and the artifacts and furniture. The mansion is great and while it is not that old it is reminiscent of the castles of Europe. The family who built and owned Cheekwood is the same family of Maxwell House Coffee fame. Too neat huh? They made lots of money from their famous coffee and lived well on this estate (as relayed by a sign in the mansion).

From In the Garden

More of the reflecting pool.

From In the Garden

My oldest daughter Christine tried to get out of going to Cheekwood but I convinced her she just had to go. I think she enjoyed it don't you?

From In the Garden

Now these two enjoyed it all too. It was Mr. Fix-it and Christine's first visit to Cheekwood, but Jimmy visited a few years ago with me. Everyone really liked the park.

From In the Garden

What spectacular views you get of the surrounding countryside from the mansion!

From In the Garden

The grasses were wonderful in the Sunny Perennial Border. All the plants looked pretty good considering our drought. I think Cheekwood waters a LOT though.

From In the Garden

More of the perennial border. I do enjoy the sunny gardens but it was way more comfortable in the Wildflower and Japanese Gardens. My favorite gardens were in the shade.

From In the Garden

One last view of one of the 'swimming ponds'. The floating displays were fabulous. If you think you may wish to visit the Chihuly exhibit don't wait too long as the time to see it is nearing the end. Our visit to Cheekwood with Chihuly was simply a fabulous time....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden

Perennial Plant Society's Premiere Garden Speakers and Chihuly at Cheekwood

From In the Garden

I feel awfully lucky to be a part of such a great gardening organization called the Perennial Plant Society of Middle Tennessee (PPSMT) here in Tennessee that I simply must talk about it. Not only do they have over 200 members from all around Middle Tennessee, but they have great garden speakers, garden tours and a plant sale that is a big fundraiser for the organization. Meetings are the third Tuesday of each month at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in the Belle Meade area of Nashville. And what a treat Cheekwood can be for visitors! When PPSMT members walk into the Botanic Hall area for their meeting they are greeted by a wonderful display of ferns and other tender perennials along with a couple of macaws. A special feature that is on display in this area (for just a short time) and amongst the whole garden is a Chihuly exhibit. If you haven't seen Chihuly you simply must! I know a few of my blogging friends have seen his exhibits-namely Rose and Cosmos (who no longer blogs). I will not go into detail about the exhibit because I was there to hear a wonderful speaker talk about hellebores on this particular night so let's get on with it. If you wish to check out Chihuly at Cheekwood just check this link. Hurry-time is running out.

From In the Garden

Once you enter the Botanic Hall proper you are greeted with a wonderful wide open space filled with chairs-filled with members of the PPSMT who have come to hear C. Colston Burrell speak on hellebores.

From In the Garden

He was an absolutely awesome speaker! Not only was he funny, he imparted a great deal of useful information for us gardeners. He also showed a lot of grace when the presentation equipment occasionally malfunctioned. I learned so much about hellebores as I think all members present did.

Mr. Burrell is an award winning garden author who has authored many good garden books that are most useful to gardeners. He is a native plant enthusiast and well versed on hellebores. His presentation had wonderful photos of all the types of hellebores from around the world. Great shots of some great gardens too! I so wish he had brought some of his books to sell so I could have gotten him to autograph one for me. You see, last month's PPSMT speaker was none other than Peter Loewr and boy oh boy did I ever wish I had brought my copy of Ornamental Grasses so he could autograph that book for me. How cool is it that we in Middle Tennessee can see these award winning authors come to this little capital city of Nashville to speak to us? I just think the PPSMT is top notch. In addition to great speakers we get a plant swap each month (gotta know what you are getting though) and we also get free garden tours!

From In the Garden

Speaking of gardens I'm going to leave you with this teaser of an outside display of Chihuly. Members of the PPSMT were not allowed to wonder the Cheekwood grounds and google and gaggle along the displays but some of the displays are within sight of the parking area so many of us took advantage of the situation and snapped some photos. I have not actually seen the whole exhibit but it is on my to do list. How beautiful is Cheekwood with Chihuly? I just had such a great time I had to share it with you all....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,

In the Garden