With a fresh blanket of snow cloaking the landscape at the Arboretum, it’s a winter wonderland outdoors! Inside, however, spring has arrived early at the Arboretum’s annual Spring Flower Show.
Colorful blooms and lush foliage sprawl across the Arboretum’s indoor spaces, inviting visitors to explore floor-to-ceiling vignettes and gardens in the Oswald Visitor Center; delightful blooms around Rootstock; and more eye candy in the Snyder Building!
With a theme of enchanted spring gardens, the displays feature classic spring flowering bulbs in addition to some unexpected tropical plants, aromatic herbs and whimsical mushrooms. Read on to discover more about the plants bringing an early taste of spring to the Arboretum.
Flowering bulbs
A sure sign of spring, flowering bulbs including tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and paperwhites are a staple of the Spring Flower Show. The heavenly scent of hyacinths and paperwhites greets visitors when they walk through the doors, guiding them to additional displays throughout the Arboretum’s indoor spaces.
The Arboretum coaxes the bulbs into bloom early by putting the bulbs through a chilling period and then planting the bulbs about eight weeks before the show, thereby “forcing” the plants to bloom at just the right time. Greenhouse Manager Ricky Garza, along with other staff and volunteers, plant the bulbs at staggered times, so visitors will enjoy fresh buds and blooms throughout the show.
Visitors will find these flowers throughout the show, but especially in the Rootstock window boxes and in clear vases on the Rootstock half-wall, allowing visitors to see the roots, bulbs and stems as they grow!
Photo by Lily Smith
Mushrooms
Neither plant nor animal, mushrooms are fungi. Specifically, a mushroom is the fruiting body of a fungus. Visitors can explore displays of wild and farmed mushrooms in the Visitor Center and learn about the fascinating roles they play in society and folklore. Sustainable harvesting and foraging practices are also on display and visitors can view mushrooms in all their stages of growth, experiencing the wonder of nature’s recyclers breaking down plant matter into its most basic building blocks.
Photo by Lily Smith
Herbs
The aromas of delightful culinary herbs and spices fill the air in the Visitor Center in a garden devoted to aromatic herbs. Herbs not only taste great but are easy to cultivate at home on a sunny windowsill or in the garden. Visitors will discover a variety of familiar herbs such as basil, sage and parsley, and some unexpected varieties, including calendula, fennel, tarragon and bay laurel.
Photo by Jason Boudreau-Landis
Air plants
Tillandsia —- or air plants — are “epiphytes” that don’t require soil to grow. Their aerial roots attach to surfaces such as tree branches and rocks, absorbing moisture and nutrients from the air and rain. There are 28,000 known species of epiphytes worldwide — including common household names such as Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) and moth orchids (Phalaenopsis). A whimsical display of air plants adorns colorful branches on the balcony in the Visitor Center, making for a perfect photo backdrop.
Photo by Lily Smith
Easy care houseplants
Transform your home into a lush, inviting retreat with houseplants that thrive in bright, indirect light. Head to the balcony in the Visitor Center to discover easy-care plants perfect for any space — whether you’re a new plant parent or an experienced indoor gardener. From bold statement plants to compact varieties, visitors will discover houseplants chosen for their resilience and beauty. Pet-friendly options are also highlighted, making it easy to cultivate a vibrant indoor oasis that suits any lifestyle.
Photo by Mark MacLennan
Orchids and bromeliads
The Meyer-Deats Conservatory is home to numerous species of orchids, bromeliads, palms, ferns, cacti, air plants (and other epiphytes), houseplants and fruit trees year-round. Stop in for a peaceful stroll through this sunny, serene space.
Photo by Lily Smith
Find these stunning plants and more at the Spring Flower Show, open now through March 16.