Cincinnati's Krohn Conservatory: desert and tropical delights within steps of one another
There are few places in the United States where you can experience a lush tropical rainforest then walk just a few steps into an arid desert – but you can find it in Cincinnati at the 76-year-old Krohn Conservatory.
Designed in the middle of the Art Deco movement in 1933 and built in Eden Park in the midst of downtown Cincinnati, Krohn Conservatory is considered one of the top attractions of the Queen City among visitors and citizens alike. More than 3,500 plant species within six distinct collections, making it one of the most diverse conservatory collections in the Midwest.
Among the varied groupings:
> Bonsai Collection – a selection of Japanese bonsai trees gathered via various public and private sources;
> Desert Garden – a variety of succulents and cacti;
> Floral Exhibit – six annual floral shows are held there, and the exhibit features a permanent collection of orange, kumquat, giant Ponderosa lemon and grapefruit trees;
> Orchid Display – some 75 blooming orchids are blooming at any given time;
> Palm House – home to a variety of palm, rubber and banana trees as well as shrubbery, and featuring a 20-foot waterfall and goldfish stream; and
> Tropical House – an area that sustains a complex variety of ferns; cycad, bromeliad, and begonia collections; and a Cacao tree, Pomegranate, vanilla vine, and dwarf banana.
The truly wondrous aspect of Krohn Conservatory is that it’s consistently open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year and is free! The only entry fees that are requested are during special events such as the annual release of thousands of butterflies which will occur next in April 2010. Check the conservatory web site for seasonal event details.
It’s a great place not only for wedding receptions and other special events, but even for an afternoon getaway from the office – the conservatory offers free wi-fi connections.
- by Jim Brown , Cincinnati Reporter for HelloMetro
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Jim Brown Jim Brown is a longtime freelance aviation, travel and destination writer and communications professional. A former reporter for Aviation Daily, Air Safety Week and World Airline News, Jim served for more than 15 years as a senior public relations executive for American Airlines, TWA and AirTran Airways.
