December 22, 2017

Christmas Under Glass at The Domes

Display dome

Recently, I drove over to Milwaukee's Mitchell Park Conservatory, also referred to as "The Domes." I hadn't been there in many years, so I'm glad I devoted an afternoon to exploring the three glass-encased gardens. The Floral Show Dome was all decked out in holiday cheer, with the theme, "Naughty or Nice."

Whimsical scenes of Santa with his elves working hard to prepare toys, check the lists, and plan for travel around the world, were interspersed with lush groupings of Poinsettias, Amaryllises, Mums, and other traditional holiday plants and decorations. The giant Christmas tree near Santa's chair was impressively decorated with snowflakes, ornaments, and the list of good children.

Here are a few highlights, in no particular order. You can click on the photos to enlarge them and see more detail.

Santa stops here

Stacked poinsettias

Christmas tree

Poinsettias

Santa's list

Poinsettias and amaryllises

Christmas display

Santa's travels

Bench borders

Letters to Santa

Trailing planters

Fountains and pond

It was a bright day, so the sun and the blue sky surrounding the scenes added to the warmth of the displays.

The "Naughty or Nice" display will continue through Sunday, Jan. 7. The conservatory is open weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's a great destination if you live nearby or you're traveling in the area, and it's a pleasant setting for a family outing and a warm, lush escape from the winter winds outside. I plan to share highlights from the other two domes in the months ahead.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

38 comments:

  1. Lovely, bright, beautiful, and fun too.
    Something about “a field” of poinsettias that puts some sparkle in ones step. Pretty in all the colors from deep red to the pinks. I guess seeing “a field” of any flower can put some sparkle in ones step. The dome setting must be a perfect escape from the wind and cold. Looks like it was a beautiful winter day in Wisconsin! Happy Christmas Beth . . .

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    1. Happy Christmas and Happy New Year, Lynne! Yes, it's a great destination on a cold day. The Poinsettias were really pretty--quite a few colors and shapes that I hadn't seen much of before. The Domes keep the entire scene bright and colorful.

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  2. A perfect time of year to be visiting the Domes.

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    1. Yes, it is! It's been so cold the past couple of days, however, that all I want to do is stay inside and hibernate. ;-)

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  3. How festive and cheery! What a wonderful display to visit to enjoy the holiday season! I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

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    1. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Indie! Yes, it's decorated very well.

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  4. Cheerful, happy place!
    All the Best to you, Beth, this Holiday Season!!! Merry Christmas!
    Thank you for all your educative and interesting posts!

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    1. Yes, it's fun! The other domes are incredible, too. It's kind of fun to know that the show dome changes with the seasons, and the other two are maintained as tropical and desert habitats. Happy Holidays, Tatyana!

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  5. a warm escape from the winter weather - is what we had in the domes at the Eden Project in Cornwall. In July!

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    1. Conservatories are wonderful resources, aren't they? Great for simple enjoyment, education, and research!

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  6. Poinsettias always put me in the Christmas mood especially that nice scene with the benches and traditional red. I like the addition of silvery Dichondra everywhere too.

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    1. I agree, Shirley. They did a very nice job of decorating for the holidays. I always love the benches in any garden. :)

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  7. Very Christmassy! I love poinsettias, especially red and cream. Merry Christmas to you and yours Beth!

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    1. Merry Christmas, Helene! My favorites are the red and cream, too, although I'm starting to like the other colors if they aren't too wild. Especially in this type of setting with masses of plants.

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  8. Merry Christmas, have a happy holidays!

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  9. OHHH! It's always more festive when nature is the center of the decorating scene, and fresh flowers and greens? YES! Enjoy your holiday and thank you so much for coming to my blog and commenting! Work basically, has been fun but demanding, not allowing me to stretch myself out to thinly; I do Instagram and I found that I couldn't do both effectively. Thank you for coming over!

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    1. Yes, so true! I always enjoy any decorations that include plants. ;-) I missed you, Anita! I thought I was following you on Instagram but I wasn't, so now I am!

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  10. Anyone young at heart must love this! Merry Christmas!

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    1. I think so, too. I kept thinking this would be a great destination for anyone with kids or grandkids...or anyone young at heart, as you say. :) Merry Christmas, Marian!

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  11. A beautiful and warm place to visit I see.
    Wishing you a Merry Christmas and All the Best for 2018!

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    1. Yes, indeed. I wish you very Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year!

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  12. Replies
    1. Yes, I'm embarrassed it took me so long to return, as I've known about it for so long. We do have some wonderful plant places here in Madison, too, so those are easier for me to visit. But Milwaukee and other nearby cities (and towns and gardens and wild places) are fun to explore, too!

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  13. Hydrangeas and poinsettias go so well together! I love the Christmas tree.

    Merry Christmas!

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    1. They do. I think those white blooming balls are Mums, which worked well with the Poinsettias, too. I seem to remember some Hydrangeas in the mix somewhere, as well. The Christmas tree (and other smaller holiday trees) was so festive. :) Happy Holidays!

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  14. I love conservatories, though in SoCal they are useful for humidity more than for cold protection.

    Yours is a beauty. What is the big tree on the left in the first photo? I recognize the silver dichondra, which is growing too happily right outside the back door.

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    1. Conservatories are awesome. I honestly don't remember what type of tree that was--maybe Black Birch or Ironwood? I'll have to check it next time I visit. Funny that you mention the heat: That topic will come up in my next post about this place. I learned there's a strategy for viewing these three domes. Stay tuned...

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  15. Fun! This is a place we never got to when we lived in Wisconsin.

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    1. Well, it's not all that far from your house, Jason. Maybe an hour and half? Just a slightly longer drive for you than it was for me (an hour and 20 minutes). :)

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  16. That's what we need at this time of the year, a bit of colour. This looks like a great place for a Christmas visit.
    All the best for the new year Beth.

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    1. Yes, the color helps the mood, for sure! It was a fun visit. :) Happy New Year!

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  17. A very festive place - no shortage of Christmas colours! Going to a greenhouse or nursery always lifts the spirits in winter. A very Merry Christmas, Beth, to you and your family!

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    1. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Yes, I need to make more trips to these places soon! :)

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  18. Wow! Stunning! What a beautiful place to visit!
    Hope you have had a wonderful Christmas

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  19. It looks like a great place to spend a cold winter day, Beth! Poinsettias really do look best when arranged en masse.

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    1. I totally agree about the Poinsettias! When I have a lonely one in the house, it just doesn't have the same effect. Happy Holidays!

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