The original Garfield Park Conservatory was completed in 1915 and reflected the soft gentle style of the Victorian age. At the time, it consisted of a Palm House, two show houses, two plant houses, a propagation house and a small service building.
It was replaced 39 years later (1954) with the current Art Deco structure. Being the first all-welded aluminum greenhouse in the United States, it was unique for its time. Today the almost 9,000 square foot structure houses a unique display of tropical/subtropical plants and a seasonal display area.
Hundreds of fascinating plants grow within the walls of the Conservatory. They include:
• A chocolate tree which is a native to Central and South America. Its fruits are football shaped and turn from green to yellow then orange when ripe. Each pod can contain 20–30 beans about the size of lima beans.
• A papaya plant bearing edible oval shaped fruits.
• An April blooming bat plant or devil’s flower which looks like a sinister face of a mean cat with lots of whiskers.
• An autograph tree which begins its life as an epiphyte by attaching itself to another plant and sending roots down to the ground. Reportedly, Spanish explorers used the leaves of the plant for playing cards.
The waterfall was added during an early 90’s renovation and is a beautiful background for a year round display of 800 orchids. Its pond contains large, colorful koi which reflect aspiration and courage in Japanese culture.
The Gazebo Room is used for three spectacular transitional displays each year including close to 10,000 spring bulbs and an annual poinsettia display, in addition to youth and adult classes and school tours.
The Conservatory is located at 2505 Conservatory Drive and open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 – 5 p.m. Adult admission is $1 and children under 3 are admitted free.
Ed Myers is an Advanced Master Gardener, past President of the Irvington Garden Club and current President of the Garfield Park Master Gardeners Association. In addition, he is the Steward of Irvington’s Kile Oak Habitat and Benton House Historic Gardens.