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A Bloom Day Field TripFor Bloom Day, I’d like to take you on a field trip to the greenhouses at the University of Vermont. During the cold winter months I take great pleasure in seeking out a greenhouse or two to get my fix of greenery and color. At 8,000 square feet, UVM’s Main Campus Greenhouse Complex is a relatively small facility used by faculty, staff, and students in teaching, research, and extension. It is the only greenhouse that is open to the public, and I was happy to find it well-stocked with an impressive variety of orchids, as well as a few other treasures.
 This last photo is an orchid of mine currently in bloom, Oncidium Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance.' And, sweet it is, lightly scented with the smell of chocolate. To celebrate Bloom Day, and to see what is blooming in gardens from around the world visit Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Happy Bloom Day!! 28 comments to A Bloom Day Field Trip |
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A nice little trip to the tropics! What’s the name of that deep red pendulous bell flower? It’s dramatic.
Ahhhhh bliss! Such beauty. I’d love to have a Sharry Baby orchid but I haven’t graduated beyond Phalaenopsis yet.
What a great array of blooms in your greenhouse!!! I would love an orchid that was scented of chocolate.
It just never ceases to amaze me that you can walk from a snowy landscape into a warm, green environment with gorgeous tropical blooms. Thank you for sharing this with us.
So good to see something blooming at this cold grey time of the year.
I am the one hanging out in the floral departments of grocery stores. Because there are no greenhouses around here open to the public. Can’t wait for the nurseries to reopen.
Jen
Jen,
I so wish we had a botanic garden complete with a conservatory close by. There are a couple that are not too far, about two hours driving distance. I find myself making multiple trips to a couple nurseries that are open year-round, often times just to admire the houseplants. It is relaxing to me. I can’t wait to see them stocked with annuals and perennials!!
Noelle,
My pleasure. It is so wonderful to step through the door and instantly find yourself surrounded with fragrance, damp air, and color. I am thankful for the photos shared by bloggers living in warmer climates, as the snowy landscape begins to be tiresome about now, at least for me.
Janet,
There was a good variety of blooms and color to be had at UVM’s greenhouse. A sure fire way to lift one’s spirits. It is wonderful to find a wide variety of orchids becoming more available at garden centers and even grocery stores.
Jodi,
You can do it!! I have found Sharry Baby to be pretty easy-going, and its blooms are long-lasting. I have her in a west-facing window, and fertilizer weekly with 1/4 strength orchid fertilizer. So far so good…
Helen,
Unfortunately this plant was hanging high above, which made seeing the plant id tag pretty much impossible. I thought this plant to be very interesting, and dramatic as well. I don’t remember ever seeing anything quite like it. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
Oh, so refreshing! It’s grey and wet here.
Wonderful post Liisa! I use to work in plant research and many of the greenhouses also had areas for lush tropicals or ‘private’ collections of orchids. It was such a pleasure to wander through them on a cold winters day. The pendulous red bells are stunning!
Liisa such wonderful photos of the orchids. I love seeing orchids in all their glory. I would love a little snip of your oncidium I’ve never come across Sharry Baby before. Oh it must have been a shock to the system when you had to go out into the cold again.
Gorgeous. Are those pink peonies? Sigh…
Greenhouses…the ultimate in zone denial! It definitely doesn’t look like Vermont to me indoors, but the outdoors certainly do. It must really feel like you’re stepping into another world without having to endure the plane ride. Thanks for the trip to the tropics!
What beautiful blooms. Thank you so much for the tour. The colors are so brilliant after viewing snow and winter skies. Have to say I also love that grass outside the green house – great structure for a snowy landscape.
Violet Fern,
Glad you enjoyed the tour. This facility is rather small, as there are only two rooms within the conservatory that are open to the public. But that didn’t take away from the brilliant color that appeared when passing through the door. Miscanthus grass is one of my favorites for its large, decorative plumes.
James,
I am so glad you enjoyed the photos. It was such a wonderful retreat from the biting cold air we had that day, making it really hard to leave.
Caroline,
Those are actually Camellias, a much coveted plant for northern gardeners, as they will not overwinter unless you have an ideal place to store them. And, I continue to try and devise a way to do this without a greenhouse.
Leaves ‘n Bloom,
It was hard to leave, mostly because I find such places so relaxing and uplifting. If you ever come across Sharry Baby she is definitely worth the investment.
Rebecca,
Lucky you, spending your days surrounded by such beauty. I often wonder if I missed my calling – perhaps a degree in Horticulture would have been just the thing for me.
Tatyana,
A wonderful way to rejuvenate the soul. I hope some sunshine finds its way to you soon…
Liisa, These are gorgeous! What a wonderful way to spend a winter day. -Jean
Hi Liisa, you are so lucky to be able to visit such a place during the winter months. It would be hard to leave such beauty and go back out into the harsh cold world! The orchids are my favorites, the cymbidiums stand out! Thanks for showing us this treasure.
Frances
Frances,
I am glad you enjoyed the tour. I too love the cymbidiums. The color variations never cease to amaze me. This was indeed a lovely retreat from the cold.
Jean,
It was truly enjoyable, and I look forward to visiting again, soon. I felt instantly relaxed stepping through the doors, a time to let the day go quiet, and just enjoy.
Wow! It looks cold and windy in that first photo, but the orchid bloom photos are warm and beautiful. I especially luv the yellow orchid with the white center. All lovely though.
donna
Donna,
I love the pattern on the yellow Phalaenopsis, and have been on the lookout for one similar at local nurseries. No luck thus far, but it wonderful to see the increasing selections.