Spring has been more than elusive this year for us in Minnesota. Our winter has lingered way longer than anyone wants, even threatening the long-awaited fishing opener next week. When we should have 60 degree temps, open water, and blooming flowers we have instead endured two snowfalls in the past week alone, temps in the 30s and 40s, lakes still covered in ice, and nothing blooming. But there is one place that is a haven of spring at this time of year – the McNeely Conservatory in Como Park. This has been my refuge and antidote for our cold and gray continuing winter. I found tulips and hyacinths, calla lilies and these lovely freesias. The perfect dose of colors, smells, and the promise of spring. Yet to come.
Como Park
Bonsai garden opening
This weekend was the grand opening of the Ordway Gardens at Como Park. The new addition to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory allows for the viewing of one of North America’s top ten public collections of bonsai. After a seven-inch snowfall on Thursday into Friday, the opening took on a non-springlike look. How unusual to see a Ponderosa Pine bonsai with snow at its base! It seemed a true testament to the hardiness and the beauty of bonsai. And with the conservatory dome reflecting in the glass panel behind the tree it was a perfect representation of the beauty and the specialness of the conservatory and the new gardens.
Picnic in the snow
Our wintry landscape added another 10 inches of snow last Monday and Tuesday. The snow started lightly but it quickly became much heavier, and continued for almost 24 hours. The end result was a beautifully outlined landscape with snow up to your knees and drifts that were deeper. After it was over, I ventured to the picnic grounds at Como Park. The snow was piled deep to the benches, leaving the picnic tables to appear like they were floating atop the drifted snow. And the trees were graced with the wet snow that was clinging to their bark and branches. It was quiet and peaceful at this time, waiting for the transition from winter to spring and the people who will be flocking to the area for picnics in the park.
Orchids
I took some time this morning to photograph at the McNeely Conservatory at Como Park. Their winter flower show is always a welcome breath of bright colors and greenery, helping us get through the cold months of winter and snow. I spent over an hour in the Sunken Garden photographing the pink cyclamen, the blue pansies, and the gold and maroon primroses that were all blooming brightly. And I was joined by many others too as we all were soaking in the promise of spring. As I was leaving the gardens I noticed a collection of orchids that were arranged on a table near the exit. There was nothing special about them, but they caught my eye. The diffused light was coming in at an angle across the hallway, and it appeared to me that the orchids had arranged themselves. Their delicate stems gracefully supported the blossoms that arched upward as well as the blossoms that hung delicately over the edge of one of the pots. Their casual arrangement struck me as a beautiful sight – a pleasant contrast to the planned and orderly display of flowers in the Sunken Garden.
Greeting the morning
After an evening and night of snow this past week, the following morning promised a dawn of sunshine and a brilliant blue sky. I headed out the door to begin my day at Como Park. As I walked into the park I was joined by a cross-country skier who said that the snow was going to be perfect for his outing. With different agendas we parted and went our own ways. The sun rose over the white landscape and brought a beautiful contrast to the scene. The night’s snow had clung to all the trees and they sparkled in the sunlight, especially with the bluest of skies all around. It was a delightful way to start the cold morning — surrounded by the beauty of winter, the promise of bright sunshine, and some morning exercise of tramping in the snow and photographing.
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