The big old conservatory-style greenhouse at the Christchurch Botanical Gardens is re-opened, after three and a half years closure post earthquakes. We opened the door and a wall of humid warm air smelling like moss and soil ballooned out to meet us, alive with the promise of rampant growth and profuse greenery. Umm, just right. Brings me back to my Cornell conservatory days.

To my surprise and delight, Milo was almost as excited about the new place to explore as me. We never did identify the source of this giant trumpet flower, but it was sitting conveniently by the footpath and we enjoyed it.

I think I know plant families pretty well until I get anywhere near the tropics. The humbling reality is that there are hundreds of plant families (thousands of plants) that I’ve never even heard of.

The conservatory must have been heated even during the winters when it was closed, because those big philodendrons and bougainvillea weren’t put there any time recently. A bunch of the other plants are potted newcomers though, and I’ll be curious to see if it remains a neat and orderly coordinated display or if it goes the way of jungles and becomes…well…a jungle.  Ooh, lots of greenhouse visits in our future!