Garden Photo of the Day

GPOD on the Road: Centennial Park Conservatory

A preview of spring under glass

By GPOD Contributor
close up of yellow pink and blue spring bulbs

Friend-of-the-GPOD Cherry Ong was in Toronto recently and sent us these photos from the Centennial Park Conservatory. These are specifically of a part of the greenhouse where there was a seasonal display of spring flowers—long before the same plants will be blooming outside in Toronto. It is a beautiful escape from winter and a preview of spring.

spring bulb display in a greenhouseTulips (Tulipa hybrids, Zones 3–8), daffodils (Narcissus hybrids, Zone 3–9), and crocuses (Crocus vernus, Zones 3–8) are all in full bloom, with hyacinths (Hyacinthus orientalis, Zones 4–8) in front still in tight bud. Outside, the hyacinths would bloom long before the tulips, and the crocuses would be long since finished, but by forcing them into bloom in the greenhouse, the gardeners can create a fantasy garden with them blooming all out of order.

close up of white hoop petticoat daffodilsThese delicate little hoop petticoat daffodils have enormous trumpets, and very tiny petals around them, giving a totally different look from the typical daffodil.

close up of yellow pink and blue bulbsGrape hyacinths (Muscari species, Zones 4–8), daffodils, and tulips all are blooming together in an explosion of color.

wider view of greenhouse full of spring flowers and shrubsThis greenhouse is packed with blooms. If you look carefully you can see snow outside! What a wonderful escape to spring.

inside greenhouse on sunny dayWith sun streaming in, blue skies above, and beds packed with brilliant flowers, this really is a magical experience.

pink flowers around a stump topped with foliage plantsA little planter makes a centerpiece, surrounded by tulips in bud and bright red florist cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum, Zones 8–11 or as a houseplant).

large planting of tulips in spring bulb displayThe tulip display is just getting started, showing bright color beginning to open, and again, views of the snowy landscape outside.

close up of yellow double-flowered daffodilA beautiful double-flowered daffodil, with extra layers of petals that transform the look of the bloom.

 

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Comments

  1. User avater
    simplesue 03/24/2023

    Looks like a beautiful & fragrant day at the conservatory.
    I'm so excited to learn about "Hoop Petticoat Daffodils" from your post- I've never seen them before and just what I'm look'n for in a Daffodil!

    1. perenniallycrazy 03/24/2023

      I tried growing it this year and I love it! I hope you get a chance to grow them too.

  2. User avater
    treasuresmom 03/24/2023

    Cherry, great pics as usual.

    1. perenniallycrazy 03/24/2023

      Thank you.

  3. MohawkValley 03/24/2023

    Just looking at the pictures results in wanting to get right out and see how things have changed since YESTERDAY . Here in central NYS , everything is just popping up from the winter sleep .
    I believe that there are some who don't but WOULD benefit from watching everything on a DAILY basis . It is almost astounding how things change in just eight or sixteen hours ; sometimes much , much sooner .
    Even if that daily walk is a real quick one , it just makes sense to do AND one will find things of "value" . Look real closely --- there's so much value in this time of year . Even the shade gardens offer entertainment with the first of plants popping through , precipitating that curiosity in us to look for more . Don't see anything ? Check tomorrow ...
    Peace .

  4. User avater
    cynthia2020 03/24/2023

    Cherry - I enjoyed seeing the masses of spring flowers. Thank you for sharing!

    1. perenniallycrazy 03/24/2023

      You’re welcome. Happy spring!

  5. btucker9675 03/24/2023

    Love those hoop petticoat daffodils!!!

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