As you may recall, before I headed off to Hawaii, I took a quick trip up north to Seattle with my mom where we scaled a water tower and oohed and ahhed over some gorgeous glass art. Another stop in our whirlwind tour of the Emerald City was a peaceful one, although it did stir up some gardening jealousy: the Volunteer Park Conservatory.

About Volunteer Park Conservatory

You already know a little about the history of Volunteer Park (if you’ve forgotten, refresh your memory here). Part of the plans when the park was being designed in 1910 included a conservatory of plants. Within two years, the conservatory was built…minus the more than 3400 panes of glass to fill the framework. Once the glass was popped in and some plants installed, the Victorian-style greenhouse was opened to the public in 1912.

volunteer park conservatory, seattle, washington, greenhouse
So pink!!

Visiting the Conservatory

Although it pales in comparison to the Palm House in England’s Kew Gardens (which I really should cover in next week’s Travel Pic Thursday), the style of Volunteer Park Conservatory did remind me of its grander British cousin. Just sort of a tinier version.

volunteer park conservatory, seattle, washington, greenhouse
Kew who?

Once you figure out the ticket machine and pay your small fee, you can wander among tropical plants, orchids, palms, and cacti. In the cactus room, you can see the conservatory’s oldest plant, a saguaro that’s over 75 years old.

volunteer park conservatory, seattle, washington, greenhouse, cactus
Do the hokey pokey…ouch!

And if you think kids won’t be interested in seeing a bunch of plants, there’s a whole section of carnivorous plants just waiting to grab their attention (and maybe their fingers).

volunteer park conservatory, seattle, washington, greenhouse, carnivorous plant, pitcher plant
Feed me, Seymour!!!
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TAMMIE PAINTER IS THE AUTHOR OF THE TRIALS OF HERCULES: BOOK ONE OF THE OSTERIA CHRONICLES AND AN ARTIST WHO DEDICATES HERSELF TO THE TEDIUM OF CREATING IMAGES WITH COLORED PENCILS