Barry Severn is taking us along on a trip to Allan Gardens Conservatory in Toronto. These kinds of urban conservatories are wonderful anywhere but are nearly essential in cities with long, cold winters like Toronto. They are wonderful places to slip off for a little tropical escape any time you need it.

Sometimes enjoying a garden is about taking time to look at the tiniest of details, like the unusual fringed red hairs on the petioles of these Begonia leaves.

Nodding pink flowers of kalanchoe (I think Kalanchoe delagoensis, Zones 10–11) rise amid the unusual forms of succulents and cacti.

Most species of agaves grow for years—or even decades—before putting up one huge spire of flowers. The blooms are usually pollenated by bats that visit the huge sprays of flowers for the abundant nectar they produce.

It is always interesting to see what tropical fruits look like on the plant. This papaya (Carica papaya, Zones 10–11) has set a nice crop.

Staghorn ferns (Platycerium, Zones 10–11) produce two kinds of fronds. At the base are the shield fronds, which serve to anchor the plants to the trees where they live in the wild, and the spreading antler fronds, which do most of the photosynthesis. In this photo you can see a new, green shield frond growing out over the older brown one.

Berries are developing on this Fatsia (Zones 7–10). These evergreen shrubs are close relatives of English ivy (Hedera helix, Zones 5–9) and bloom in winter with huge sprays of small white flowers.

At certain stages of their development, the blooms of Amorphophallus konjac (Zones 6–11) smell pretty terrible. The scent attracts flies, which pollenate them.

The bloom spike of this Aloe is about to open up.

The bases of the leaves of this palm are heavily armed with spikes. The yellow clusters are flowers getting ready to bloom.

Palm experts, please let us know in the comments if you can identify the species. Whatever type it is, it sure is beautiful!

Have a garden you’d like to share?

Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!

To submit, send 5-10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.

Have a mobile phone? Tag your photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #FineGardening!

Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Ho-Mi Digger - Korean Triangle Blade

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Versatile Tool: The Easy Digger Korean Triangle Blade Ho Mi Ho-mi is a versatile gardening tool designed for leveling and digging in home and garden settings. Efficient Design: Its unique triangular blade shape allows for easy soil penetration and efficient leveling of garden beds or landscaping areas. Durable Construction: Crafted with sturdy materials, this tool ensures long-lasting performance and reliability. Ergonomic Handle: The comfortable handle provides a secure grip, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. Compact Size: Its compact design makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces and store when not in use.

Buy at Amazon

Wagner's 52003 Classic Blend Wild Bird Food, 6-Pound Bag

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Classic wild bird food uses the highest quality grains to attract backyard wild Birds. A high-quality mix containing Millet, milo, cracked corn and Sunflower for a wide range of wild birds to enjoy. Perfect for tube, hopper, or platform feeders. Great to feed in all seasons! Perfect for the winter, when seeds are scarce; spring and summer for hatchlings; and autumn to give energy to migrating birds. This seed will help you fill your yard with birds such as Jays, cardinals, doves, Juncos, finches, goosebeaks, any many more.

Buy at Amazon

Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix for Indoor & Outdoors

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Premium 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix - Special Garden Flower Seeds Blend designed for planting indoor & outdoors across North America. With over 16 varieties and 100,000 wildflower seeds, this mix is the best solution to attract pollinators - bees, butterflies & birds are essential for garden plants health. Our Special Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix Includes White Yarrow, Columbine, New England Aster, Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance-Leaf Coreopsis, Sweet William, Purple Coneflower, Blanketflower, Gayfeather, Blue Flax, Lupine, Dwarf Evening, Primrose, Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan. Easy & Fun Growing Experience with our online guides - Don’t plant disappointment - Add more colors to your wildflower garden! We send only super hearty heirloom flower seeds with the highest germination rate and fast sprout. Our detailed growing guide helps you grow seeds the garden of your dream like a PRO. Colorful Wildflower Garden from Seeds - Grow wildflowers everywhere - Indoor in window garden or Outdoors Flower garden Garden make a beautiful design for your garden borders, pathways, field or meadow and attract pollinators. Made in the USA by Small Family-Owned Business - Quality You Can Trust - Our wildflower bulk seeds variety pack are tested at the highest germination rates before being sealed to last for up to 3 years before you need to plant. Each packet of our flower seeds variety pack is resealable to make it easy to store and has its own label with a QR code for the growing instructions.

Buy at Amazon