photos & story by Gail K.
Belle Isle Part 4- The Conservatory
Leaving the outdoor formal gardens, we head inside to see the myriad of non-hardy exhibits.
We don’t even get thru the door when we spot a plant of interest. Jennie carefully dissects the plant parts to try & identify it.
apologies for the blurry photo-the plant in question? once inside, we enter a “tropical” realm-
With camera in hand, my attention is not always on the plants..but can’t ignore a vivid color display.
A lot of contrast among the plants, in the flowers & in the foliage as well…..
sensory surge…….just try to pick a favorite ( pink tendrils fall from a plant above!!)
the colors, shapes-such variety
A living wall !!!!!
An angel trumpet flower
how interesting….. some of Mother Nature’s finest
such contrast in the hues of the same color
such diversity, not a surprise that this transfers to the pollinators and birds of the tropical climates?
This plant so striking, I’m tempted to take up indoor gardening…….
From the lowest of low such as this ground orchid to the heights of this impressive display-the tropical dome touches all the senses…………
Not willing to go unnoticed- cactus in the small arid section put on quite an impressive & “touching” display.
Tall, short, pointed and rounded–all kinds
so high above – so white below—-
wonder who pollinates these flowers?
In a small outdoor courtyard we find a pond, waterfall and fish-along with native plantings.
It’s time to head home; leaving the conservatory we pass thru one more zone-can you guess which one??
Along with staghorn ferns, orchids find a happy home in which to thrive………..
I love this color!
No matter where or whose collection–seems almost mandatory that they have an area where Orchids are
the feature plant….a trend in today’s gardening
Before leaving, I drive around the isle, how lucky we are to have such a resource in our backyard.
Most of us want to see the Oudolf Gardens in another season;
I hope you will join us when we return to Belle Isle. g
Monroe County Master Gardener Association 
Jennie shares: By entering the plant characteristics into a data base on an ID a plant-phone app; they learned the plant was Lespedeza thunbergia; a non-native bush clover.
Not listed as invasive in Michigan as some states, may be due to the die back during our winter season. Wonder if that will change over time with our climate warming. Thanks Jennie!!!!