Winter seems to last forever. By March, cabin fever has often set in, at least in my household. For those lucky enough to live in Kingston, Ontario, the City of Kingston greenhouse opens its doors to the public.
Visiting the greenhouse is a burst of spring during the doldrums of winter. Colours and scents abound, and every amateur (or professional) photographer makes sure to visit with their camera. Myself included!
Orchids are such beautiful, delicate flowers. Every year I’m astounded by the abundance of different colours and styles of orchids on display in the City of Kingston greenhouse.
Spring bulbs are continuously in bloom in the oasis of the greenhouse. I’m not quite sure if they force the bulbs to bloom strictly for the visitors to the Kingston greenhouse, of if they actually use them elsewhere in the city. Either way, the sight of daffodils and tulips are far as the eye can see truly rejuvenates my gardener’s heart.
I don’t know about you, but I am endlessly fascinated by the carnivorous plants. The above photo is a pitcher plant. The bugs walk or fly inside looking for nectar and drown in the pitcher of the plant. The walls of the neck are very slippery and once an insect gets past the lip it can’t climb back out. The nutrients are then absorbed by the plant’s walls and supplement its nutrition. This allows the plants to grow in sandy and poor soil, or in the canopy of the rainforests. Fascinating, right?
The open house happens for a month of Sunday’s from late February into March. This year it’s open until March 12th. I make it a rule to go every year, at least for the oxygenated air the plants provide. It’s an excellent place to practice photography. I plan to upload some more photos on my photo album page – I took quite a few!
If you live in the city (or close by) I’d strongly urge you visit the City’s greenhouse at 111 Norman Roger’s Drive. And if you do go, leave me a message letting me know what you thought! And as always – take time to stop and smell the “roses”!
~Jess
10 Comments
What…no pictures of the kids amongst the flowers this year? It’s been quite a while since the Whig’s photo of Emma.
We didn’t take the kids – just a flower date for Patrick and myself. 😉
~Jess
Hi Jess, what a lovely place to visit. The flowers look beautiful. I too am fascinated by carnivorous plants and have even had a go at keeping them myself with little success! We did see our first wild orchid yesterday, a sign that spring is indeed here at last.
Thank you for linking up with the #MMBC.
Our wild orchids won’t be out until mid to late April here. It’s been a while since I’ve been to the conservation area that caters to them. Maybe a road trip this spring – the kids would enjoy it more now I think. Thanks for reminding me of them Deb!
~Jess
I love beautiful flowers and Kingston Greenhouse has many. Lovely post; I’d love to visit there.
Thanks Carol – I try to go at least once every year!
~Jess
These pictures are so beautiful… You believe there are 3 botanical gardens (that is how we called it) here in NYC and I have never visit one of them…. 🙁 just a boomer!!!
Thanks for sharing your post with us at #alittlebitofeverything
I’m happy to share Iveth! You should make a trip sometime to a botanical garden. We have them here too (well not in Kingston, but the bigger cities) and I love visiting those as well!
~Jess
Beautiful photos Jess. I love gardening, so would be in my element there. I agree, the carnivorous plants are fascinating. Glad you had a great time!
Thanks for being part of #MMBC. See you Monday x
Thanks Jayne! Some years I visit twice – and no only because it’s a free thing to do! 😉
~Jess