St. Paul, MN
After all those spectacular finds in Milwaukee and Green Bay, I knew my driver needed some recuperative time so we headed to Door County where he could look out over water— not plants. After a couple days of that, he said, “We’re going WHERE?” and off to Minneapolis/St. Paul we went! Our first stop was Marjorie McNeely Conservatory in Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. It was phenomenal! First, it’s free (donations welcome) and it’s architecturally spectacular. Jam-pack it with plants and it’s a very happy place!
Built in 1915, the conservatory is on the National Historic Register 
There’s an entire house of ferns! 
This one is bamboo fern.. 
Love this space! 
What a combo! Pink roses and caladiums. 
See the coin I tucked in the flower? 
Red torch ginger 
The exterior features loads of water gardens 
Paths lead to a frog pond, daylilies and more
After the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, we found the attached Ordway Japanese Gardens via a nationally renowned bonsai collection. The garden design was a gift from St. Paul’s sister city of Nagasaki and was established in 1979. It’s very well done and a place of peace and reflection. Nextt, we headed to the nearby (and also free) zoo which was under significant construction. The conservatory and Japanese garden are definitely sights to bookmark for your future travels!
Plain old Japanese garden juniper becomes spectacular w/pruning 
Love the forest types of bonsai! 
This one was taller than me! 
Very nicely displayed bonsais. 
The Japanese garden is a welcome respite 
Best looking construction fence ever! It’s over at the zoo. 
The pollinator exhibit is all the buzz! 
Sing along… Kudu you love?