CHILDREN'S GARDEN

House History:
Seeds of Change   

Originally called the New Holland House (where Australian plants were highlighted) and later called the Economic House, the Elizabeth Morse Genius’ Children’s Garden, built in the year 2000,  is a relatively new and innovative arrival to the far southwest corner of the Conservatory. Offering a space that is part playground, part museum, and part greenhouse, the interactive displays and child-centered programming that happens in this space revolutionized the concept of indoor conservatories and their educational possibilities. Our Children’s Garden celebrates both the beginning of plant life and the importance of childhood by playfully highlighting concepts like seed germination, pollination and growth.  (Please visit our websites for list of our regular weekend programming opportunities: www.garfieldconservatory.org.)

The Special Plants:
Our Very Own Orangerie

Before conservatories became popular public spaces in the late 1800’s, kings and queens of Europe had their own private greenhouses for growing rare tropical fruit. Exotic citrus trees were very popular with royal families, and so it is not surprising that these greenhouses were called “orangeries.” Nowadays, modern agriculture and supermarkets have made oranges commonplace. But it is still a treat to see them actually growing as they may have hundreds of years ago in a royal greenhouse. Get a little peek at conservatories of the past by stopping by our orange tree in the Children’s Garden.

(Source for this section: Inspired By Nature, page 58.)

A Special Place:
Under the Sacred Fig 

It is said that Siddhartha (the founder of Buddhism) was sitting under a sacred fig tree in India when he became “enlightened.” Though his “awakening” occurred over 2000 years ago, many people are still finding a sense of spiritual restoration by communing with plants. We encourage you to slow down and take a few peaceful breaths as you pass under the canopy of the sacred fig tree in the Children’s Garden.