Conservatory 2019 a

There are three large conservatories, like the one above, at Longwood.  There are a few

permanent trees, but for the most part, all plants are brought in for a single show and then

removed.  There are a number of working greenhouses attached to these.

Variegated Foxglove.

Variegated Foxglove and Red Marguerites below.

Violet Foxglove

Large baskets of Big Leaf Hydrangeas hang from the ceiling.   They are on pulleys,

which can lower them each morning for watering.

There are several small Pink Shaving Brush Trees in this conservatory.  They were

covered with "Pink Shaving Brush" Flowers.

Pink Shaving Brush Flower.

"Sizzle Dizzle" purple pansies and "Snow White" pansies.

Looking back to the East Entrance, you can see several of the waterfalls.

"Variegated Salpiglossis / Painted Tongue."  

This is an interesting photo.  It was a sunny day, and the sun was streaming through

the glass ceiling.  This is not always desirable; it tends to wash out the colors and

create overly dramatic contrasts of light and shadow.  That is why I am always

happy to have an overcast morning or afternoon, to capture rich, saturated color.

This is the same plant photographed on an overcast morning.  There is an even overall

light and no sharp contrasts.  This is why I like to spend several days at the Gardens,

photographing under different conditions on different days.

The Northern Conservatory is attached and can be flooded, as it is here.  From the

ceiling hang large baskets of white-edged blue hydrangeas.

An urn with the same hydrangeas, but on an overcast day.  Notice the flowers in

containers along the fence.

These are those flowers - Pink Hybrid Azaleas.

Some of the azaleas are peach in color.

Chairs are provided in many places so you can sit and rest.  I liked this spot where I could

watch the waterfalls and see the large hanging baskets with Yellow Guzmania at top and

ivy hanging down.

These are some other Yellow Guzmania, easier to see.

Red "Georgia" Guzmania

They are part of the Cascade Garden display at one end of the conservatory.

"Purple and Striped Guzmania" were a very bold variation.

Yellow Gerbera Daisies

Pink " Justitia" from Brazil

"Apple Blossom Orchids" were blooming in such profusion, they had lots of plants
standing in a corridor, hoping someone would find a use for them.

Red Medinilla / Rose Grape.  They grow outdoors in gardens in Florida.
Also known as Philippines Orchid.

Red "California" Anthurium

"Dark Blue Canterbury Bells" were used in several areas.  Here they are in a large urn.

"Dark Blue Canterbury Bells" lined the center aisle in the Main Conservatory.

Dark Purple Osteospermum

Orange and Purple Osteospermum

"Blue Cineraria" and "Electric Blue Pectranthus" filled the beds between two of the conservatories.

"Blue Cineraria" and "Electric Blue Plectranthus"

A visitor in the blue setting one day.

And then two days later when I arrived in the morning, the blue cineraria were gone,

and they were all replaced by Variegated Hydrangeas.

The Variegated Hydrangeas were used in several settings, like this large pot with

a grapefruit tree in the center.

The visitor in the new setting with Variegated Hydrangeas.

"White Camellia."

Longwood has a long-term project to develop camellias which will grow in colder climates.

One greenhouse, attached to the conservatories, is filled with just camellias.

This is the Main Display Conservatory.  We are looking at the Center Aisle, lined with

Dark Blue Canterbury Bells.  Directly in front are  orange begonias and  purple Bartlettina.

Now we are on the opposite side, Center Aisle to the right with Dark Blue Canterbury Bells.

Directly in front of us are pink and white Satin Flowers / Evening Primrose.

The West side of the conservatory with hanging baskets of
Blue Cape Primrose.

And just to the right is the Corcovado Aisle.  But I will take you there, with its radiant
colors and flowers, next time.

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